Climate Action Program Manager

Job Description:

Climate Action Program Manager

Description

Climate Action Program Manager
Department of Facilities & Environmental Services
Full Time, 12 Months
Exempt, Pay Grade 35
Benefits Eligible, VRS Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:
Performs complex professional, supervisory, and administrative work overseeing climate action programs to support the County’s goals of reducing community contributions to climate change and increasing climate resilience. Responsibilities include planning and implementing effective climate action initiatives within and outside of the organization, including technologies, practices, and programs; coordinating with partner organizations and community stakeholders; building community awareness and support of effective solutions; providing advisory services and support to County staff; analyzing complex data sets; engaging in community outreach efforts, including public speaking; and preparation of informational and persuasive written materials. The position requires exercising a high level of independence with minimal day-to-day oversight.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position supervises one or more Climate Action Program staff.

Essential Functions:

• Organizational leader in the development and implementation of climate action programs, plans, and initiatives, with an emphasis on systems change management.
• Collaborates with other County staff, staff of partner organizations such as the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia, civic groups, community stakeholders, and the public at large to advance climate change mitigation and resilience strategies; works closely with other County staff and programs that intersect with climate action, such as community transportation, natural resource protection, biodiversity, solid waste alternatives, land use, resilience, and economic development.
• Centers equity and inclusion in the County’s Climate Action Program, with attention to equitable and inclusive community engagement and outcomes that benefit the whole community; works with staff from the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Communications and Public Engagement, along with community partners, to ensure these outcomes.
• In collaboration with other County staff, pursues grant opportunities related to transportation systems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, pollution prevention, sustainable land management, waste, and other climate action areas.
• Serves as primary public representative for the County’s Climate Action Program, which includes responding to citizen/stakeholder inquiries, speaking at community events and workshops, and presenting program updates to the Board of Supervisors.
• Coordinates with other County staff and partner organizations to produce educational materials and programs for landowners, civic groups, businesses, and schools to promote community action to address climate change.
• Conducts monitoring and evaluation of the success of implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan, including monitoring progress on climate initiatives and producing the County’s greenhouse gas emissions inventories to track progress toward emission reduction targets.
• Integrates programs of federal, state, regional, and local agencies involved in climate action and represents County interests in these agencies’ public participation processes related to climate action.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of climate science and of the best practices of climate action.
• Strong applied knowledge of environmental program management and systems change management.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, other employees, external experts, and the general public.
• Strong computer skills, proficiency in office productivity software, and ability to develop reports and analyze data is required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from any accredited four-year college or university and a minimum of five years of professional work in climate action, sustainability, natural resource management, or related field.
• Prefer a master’s degree in environmental science or policy, and experience in climate action or sustainability programs management for a local, state or federal agency.
• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver’s License.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Work is almost exclusively performed in typical office settings but may require occasional visits to offsite locations.
• Regularly required to communicate and present verbally.
• In occasional contact with elected and appointed officials and in regular contact with community members, community partners, consultants, and contractors.
• Occasionally subjected to stressful conditions that require the use of judgment, tact, and interpretation skills to resolve complex issues.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $82,443 - $91,121 per year. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Deadline for Applications: Position open until October 7, 2024.

Remote Work:
This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Albemarle County Core Values:
Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through:

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.
Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.
Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.
Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.
Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.

Virginia Values Veterans:
Albemarle County is a certified V3 organization.

EOE/EEO:
Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.