Senior Climate Program Manager
City of Cambridge Massachusetts
Location
Cambridge, MA | United States
Job description
ABOUT THE CITY:
The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that people of different ethnic, racial, religious, national, and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our city's diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve. The city is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. We seek to hire, develop, and advance individuals who value antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and are committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Encompassing the Economic Opportunity and Development, Housing, Community Planning, Zoning & Development, and Environmental & Transportation Planning Divisions, CDD's mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD engages and collaborates with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.
ABOUT THE ROLE: The
Senior Climate Program Manager is responsible for implementation of climate change policies and programs and overseeing Climate staff in CDD's Environmental and Transportation Planning Division (E&T). Reporting to the Division Director, key areas of focus include implementing strategies to eliminate GHG emissions from buildings and build community-wide resilience to the impacts of climate change, guided by the Net Zero Action and Resilient Cambridge Plans.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary responsibilities will be in four main areas, plus related tasks as assigned:
- Climate Change Planning and Policy Implementation: The Program Manager will lead team members in implementation of the Net Zero Climate Action Plan to phase out GHG emissions from new and existing buildings throughout Cambridge through energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy supply. Actions include policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation along with an annual reporting process and 5-year programmatic reviews. The Program Manager will also play an active role in collaborative implementation of the Resilient Cambridge plan to prepare the community for the impacts of climate change.
- Engagement and Communication: The Program Manager will serve on interdepartmental working groups and assist in communicating policy and program recommendations to City leadership. They will also build relationships with a wide range of community stakeholders including businesses, institutions, technical experts, advocates, and community groups necessary to successfully advance the City's climate goals. Engaging with historically under-represented populations to ensure the equity of climate policies and programs for all of Cambridge's residents is a particular priority.
- Staff and Committee Management: The Program Manager will directly supervise Climate team members responsible for core aspects of the City's climate mitigation and adaptation agenda, while encouraging professional development and a collaborative atmosphere of diversity and inclusion. Management responsibilities include regular supervisory meetings, performance review, and resolution of staff concerns. The Program Manager will also plan and staff monthly meetings of a 15-member volunteer Cambridge Climate Committee.
- Strategic Planning and Administration: The Program Manager supports an annual strategic planning process, in consultation with the Division Director and staff, to evaluate the impact of the current workplan and plan and request budgets for the upcoming year through the City's annual budget process. The Climate Team's work is supported by both operating and grant funds and focuses on technical assistance, outreach and engagement, and overseeing consultant studies. Related tasks include procuring and monitoring ongoing consultant contracts, tracking and articulating outcomes, and supporting the development of budget backup documents and presentations for City leadership.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essentials functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience: - Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, sustainability, public policy, or a related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of climate change policy and planning experience. A Master's degree in a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience. A person with an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may also be considered.
- At least two (2) years of experience managing multiple direct reports including formal and informal feedback and team-building.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Strong knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy and technology, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, and incentives, and state/federal policy context
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
- Ability to translate between technical and policy frameworks as well as using language that is accessible to a diverse audience; familiarity with a range of communication strategies and effective public engagement strategies.
- Budget, project management, and strategic planning skills.
- Ability to proactively lead multiple projects simultaneously.
- Data management and analysis skills to measure project impact and inform strategy.
- Ability to engage meaningfully and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in a complex institutional structure.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas simply in writing and speaking.
- Positive, professional attitude and capacity to adapt quickly.
- Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
Preferred Qualifications: - Existing relationships with municipal, state, and regional stakeholders in the climate field
- Experience in municipal government or similar institution
- Proficiency in one or more other languages, such as Spanish, Amharic, Bangla, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, and Arabic
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Some outdoor work required for community engagement events and activities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, computers, standard office equipment, and air conditioning. Moderate noise level with a shared workstation. Work involved is both indoor in a professional office setting and outdoors at community events. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule under the City's Telework Policy depending on operational needs.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: - Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Vacation and Sick leave eligible
- Paid parental leave
- Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
- 3 Personal days
- 14 Paid Holidays
- Management Allowance, $2,700/year
- City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: Please upload the below documents to complete your application:
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