Job Details
The City of Cambridge's new Office of Sustainability coordinates the City’s efforts to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions and to make Cambridge a climate resilient community. The team oversees implementation of Cambridge’s Net Zero Action Plan, which lays out a path to reach net zero emissions from buildings by 2050 or earlier.
The Building Decarbonization Planner role focuses primarily on the challenges of decarbonizing buildings across Cambridge and changes in energy systems and infrastructure needed to support this transformation. This role encompasses opportunities for decarbonization at the building level (particularly commercial, multifamily, and other large buildings) and innovation in the energy systems that can enable decarbonization. The Building Decarbonization Planner will plan, develop, and implement new initiatives to support energy efficiency, clean energy, and electrification to accelerate the pace of building emissions reduction in Cambridge, and ultimately to enable the transition from fossil fuel use to net zero buildings and energy systems. This role will report to the Senior Climate Program Manager.
- Develop and implement projects and programs related to building decarbonization and energy systems, such as networked geothermal and electrical infrastructure
- Manage the implementation of decarbonization projects and programs, including overseeing consultants and coordinating with internal and external partners
- Research and identify new strategies to support building decarbonization and infrastructure investments that can help us achieve our climate and clean energy goals
- Serve as a thought leader on technical challenges and opportunities for building decarbonization and climate-focused infrastructure
- Engage with stakeholders, such as residents, businesses, and state agencies, to implement new initiatives
- Collaborate with other members of the climate team to create technical assistance programs for building decarbonization
- Identify and pursue external funding opportunities that can support or accelerate Cambridge programs
- Collaborate with other members of the climate team on strategic planning and overall implementation of the Net Zero Action Plan and Resilient Cambridge Plan
- Report on program implementation and outcomes
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education & Experience:
- A bachelor's degree in planning, sustainability, engineering, energy management, public policy, or related field with seven (7) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
- Experience in project management, including planning, organizing, and implementing new projects or programs.
- Experience communicating and coordinating with a variety of stakeholders, such as residents, state agencies, utilities, property owners, and advocacy organizations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent technical knowledge of building decarbonization strategy, retrofit measures, renewable energy, and/or energy infrastructure
- Knowledge of climate issues and policy, as well as strategies for climate mitigation, preparedness, and justice
- Excellent project management skills, including planning, analytical, and organizational skills
- Self-starter with demonstrated ability to carry complex projects from concept to implementation, use creative thinking to solve problems, and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly about technical and complex topics to a range of audience
- 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.
- A commitment to antiracism, equity, and inclusion in planning and program implementation
- Comfortable working with computers and general office applications (Microsoft Office suite); and ability to learn new applications, as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing an initiative to support building decarbonization or energy infrastructure investments
- Experience with the implementation of programs or policy at the municipal level
- Demonstrated experience working with large building owners and related stakeholders
Please see the position posting on the City of Cambridge's Career Center. Apply by September 4.