Climate Action Coordinator

Primary purpose:
The City of Newton has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. While reaching this goal requires effort from all City departments, residents, and businesses, about 60% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from residential buildings and personal vehicles. The role of the Climate Action Coordinator is to focus on decarbonization of the residential sector, while also coordinating other climate action work happening around the City. The Climate Action Coordinator works as part of a team, and the work varies depending on the changing focus of the team at different times.
 

Supervision:
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Co-Directors of Sustainability. Works according to City policies, procedures, laws, or special directives. Direct supervision is received as needed.

Supervision Given: May oversee and direct co-op or intern students, volunteers and/or grant-sponsored contractors.
 

Job Environment:

• Administrative work is performed in an office environment in City Hall and remotely if/as City policy provides. Some work is performed outdoors at which time the incumbent may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather. The work environment may be moderately noisy. The Climate Action Coordinator may need to be in close proximity to moving mechanical equipment, heavy machinery, fumes and/or airborne particles. The incumbent is sometimes required to work outside of normal business hours, e.g., when attending evening meetings or weekend events. The Climate Action Coordinator must at times operate an automobile, computer, telephones, inspection equipment, and standard office machines.
• The Climate Action Coordinator makes frequent contact with various community organizations, attorneys, engineers, surveyors, architects, city residents, City department employees, vendors, and state and federal agencies. Contacts are made by phone, in person, by E-mail, or by written correspondence.
• The Climate Action Coordinator has access to confidential information regarding proposed projects and real estate developments. Considerable discretion with confidential information is required.
   

Essential Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar to, related to, or a logical assignment for the position.)

Climate Action Plan Development and Tracking:

• Take the lead in the development of periodic updates to the Newton Climate Action Plan, including leading an outreach and feedback process.
• Take the lead in the creation of metrics, tracking, and reporting progress of Climate Action Plan activities.
• Coordinate with other City departments to develop climate policies and procedures consistent with the Plan.
• Develop programs with Newton Public Schools, universities, non-governmental agencies, and community groups to support implementation of the Plan.

 

Outreach and Coordination:

• Design, develop, and disseminate outreach information and activities to promote, educate, and support residents with undertaking green building retrofits and new green building construction, building on the existing 4 for our Future campaign.
• Participate in and train volunteers to participate in community events to publicize climate information and actions.
• Work with community partners and consultants to develop branded materials such as banners, yard signs, flyers, etc.
• Grow community knowledge of and engagement in Newton climate actions by regularly updating the climate action newsletter, social media, and City webpages.
• Host the Newton Earth Day Festival and other events in coordination with community organizations.

 

Technical Expertise:

• Knowledgeable with respect to best green building practices, energy technologies, services and incentives available for integrating green building practices into new construction and building retrofits.
• Ability to perform website maintenance.
• Familiar with the use of remote meeting software such as Zoom, Teams or other similar technologies.

 

Communications and Administrative

• Manage the Newton Energy Coach program by supervising volunteer energy coaches and providing coaching assistance as necessary.
• Serve as an interface among Newton residences and businesses, contractors, developers, City departments, and other groups.
• Maintain and develop new relationships with utilities, contractors, grassroots organizations, state-level organizations, developers, designers, and other buildings professionals to maximize the implementation of green building practices in new construction and retrofits in the residential sector.\

 

Policy Development

• Assist with the development and implementation of City climate policies, including but not limited to BERDO and electrification.
   
• Other: Assist with identifying, applying for, and implementing climate and energy grants, as they become available.
• Administer the Green Communities requirements for the city including annual reporting and maintaining the Mass Energy Insight data platform.
• Perform a variety of administrative and supervisory functions.
• Perform similar or related work as required, or as the situation dictates.
   

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
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• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental studies, engineering, economics, public policy, or related fields; two years of recent paid work experience related to the duties of the position and the knowledge, abilities and skills required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Experience with Massachusetts agencies and programs involved in energy-related matters, e.g., the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Mass Save, the Department of Energy Resources, and the Department of Public Utilities.
• Experience with the development and implementation of climate action plans or other similar plans.

 

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

 

Independence and Judgment

• Ability to independently take the initiative to develop materials and practices to efficiently execute many aspects of the Climate Action Plan for the City. Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in interactions with residents, property owners and governmental officials. Errors in judgment may result in significant delay or loss of department services and may cause financial and legal repercussions.

 

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge: General knowledge of policies and current issues relating to green building practices; general knowledge of building energy efficiency rating systems such as HERS, Passive House, and others; and general knowledge of construction practices, methods, and materials.

Ability: Ability to clearly and effectively communicate in oral and written form with a wide variety of people of varying backgrounds and with differing knowledge bases. Ability to read and interpret plans, maps, laws, specifications, codes, bylaws and regulations. Ability to analyze, comprehend, and explain complex laws, ordinances, regulations and policies related to energy efficiency. Ability to prepare reports and recommendations applicable to community planning and economic development. Ability to speak in public in front of audiences of all sizes. Ability to work collegially as part of a team.

Skill: Excellent oral and written communications skills. Excellent skill with common computer software applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. Cartographic skills in creating maps using GIS.
 

Physical requirements:
(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Minimal physical capability is required when performing functions under typical office conditions, including operating a keyboard. Ability to operate a keyboard and sit at desk for several hours. Correctable vision and hearing required. Ability to conduct on-site inspections of buildings and developments under construction. 

Performance Standard:

• The incumbent will be expected to work effectively with others to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
   

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)