Environmental Policy Manager

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a related field (environmental policy, planning, or science or a related field etc.) and five to seven years’ experience in municipal government, state agency positions or relevant private consulting roles; 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. An advanced degree can substitute for 1-2 years of experience.

Special Requirements

As of May 2023, OSE employees are required to be in the office and in the field when their work requires them to be. This guidance is subject to change.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Strong understanding of both established and emerging environmental trends, technologies, programs, and policies. Strong familiarity with applicable state, federal and regional environmental proceedings, regulations, and guidelines. Knowledge of municipal and state policy and project development processes from visioning and scoping. Experience with program management including program design, implementation, evaluation, and tracking. An understanding of climate change and a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the intersections between climate change, environmental justice, food justice, social and environmental health, and related movements. Demonstrated interest in conservation, animal welfare, and minimizing/mitigating the impacts of American consumerism. Demonstrated experience working with public officials, researchers, and community members to advance policy change.

Ability: Demonstrates sensitivity, tact, and sound professionalism judgment. Ability to obtain interdepartmental cooperation and communication, handle problems and emergencies effectively, maintain confidential information, and maintain, manage, and organize records. Ability to carry complex projects from concept to implementation, use creative thinking to solve problems, and work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to read and understand technical information and supervise implementation of projects, policies, and programs. Ability to perform field data collection and analysis. Ability to formulate and present findings and recommendations accessibly and accurately, in written and verbal formats, for a wide range of audiences, including colleagues, elected officials, outside agencies, contractors, advocates, and the community. Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Ability to work in management of compliance scenarios and with dissatisfied clients or stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Ability to work independently, with initial guidance. Ability to write quickly and effectively on a range of topics. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and Zoom. Ability to effectively build relationships and networks, forge/facilitate connections and work with a broad range of actors.

Skill: Exceptional organizational skills. Close attention to detail. Exceptional written and oral communications skills. Skilled public speaker. Skill in presentation composition, communication technology, and engaging diverse audiences. Strong training and facilitation skills. Superior organizational and team building skills, including the ability to coordinate and lead diverse teams of individuals towards cooperative management goals and objectives. Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills both quantitative and qualitative. Excellent computer skills for word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Work Environment

The work environment will primarily be office work with field work on an as needed basis to support projects. The office work involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. The field work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort navigating construction and repair sites as well as exposure to varying conditions in mechanical/boiler rooms, ceilings, roofs, and under floor areas. At times, the work will require extended physical effort over a significant portion of the work day. Additionally, the employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. Duties generally do not present occupational risk. Injury could occur, however, through employee failure to property follow safety precautions or procedures.

Physical and Mental 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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Minimal to moderate physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job requires motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes and routine review of building plans.