Is this you?

You have demonstrated work history that includes strong to advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in preparing climate action and adaptation plans in California. You possess advanced planning and project management skills that include but are not limited to, the use of analytical tools, data interpretation, and presentation; developing actionable plans and implementation strategies; coordination with technical teams and task management; client coordination; and project scheduling and budget management. Assisting communities and/or government organizations in working towards carbon neutrality and becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change (e.g., preparing for increased wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat days) in equitable ways is exhilarating for you. You have an encyclopedic knowledge of the ABCs and 123s of the body of legislation and guidance regulating and directing this type of work in California along with funding sources and financing mechanisms to support effective implementation. You are curious, caring, collegial, collaborative, career-oriented, and committed to quality and continued learning to keep up to date with changing requirements.

Here’s what you would do:

Ascent is seeking a senior-level Climate Project Manager to join our practice based in our Berkeley, Sacramento, Irvine, or San Diego offices. You will be working as part of the Climate Action and Adaptation Planning (CAAP) team. For a typical week in this position, you might: 

• Review and lead the development of technical mitigation and adaptation measures for local communities.
• Manage climate-focused planning projects, as well as prepare scopes, schedules, budgets, and invoicing
• Collaborate closely with Ascent principals, who support you in carrying out projects
• Discuss proposed climate action and adaptation strategies with clients, regulatory agencies, sub-consultants, and community members to understand and address a broad range of perspectives
• Create, with your team, high-quality planning documents
• Provide quality review of documents, with attention to completeness, technical accuracy, and readability
• Organize and conduct community workshops and public outreach events
• Tackle a broad range of mitigation and adaptation issues, including leading-edge thinking and how these topics cut across planning for housing, vulnerable communities, and safety with the team
• Contribute to and lead business development activities, including proposal preparation and relationship building with existing and prospective clients
• Participate in professional associations, such as speaking at conferences?
• Help with mentoring and skill development of staff
• Stay up to date on the current state of the science and practice by reviewing resources from expert agencies (e.g., CARB, OPR, ICARP) and organizations (e.g., local climate collaboratives, ARCCA)
• Enjoy social and community service events and the camaraderie of being an Ascentian

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Ascent is seeking a qualified individual who possesses advanced knowledge of the climate action and adaptation planning process in California and expert-level skills in project management, including the ability to take and give direction, stay organized, and manage time effectively.

The ideal candidate would have:

•  A minimum of 5 years of direct experience working in climate action and adaptation planning
•  10+ of relevant work experience assisting communities and/or government organizations with preparing climate action and adaptation plans or other related experience.
• The individual should have experience managing projects, plans, and tasks related to greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation planning.
• A deep understanding of climate action and adaptation planning and its relationship to CEQA, practical experience working with vulnerable and under-resourced communities, and responding to proposal requests are desirable.
• The candidate should have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in planning, disaster/emergency management and recovery, environmental studies, geography, natural resources, physical sciences, or a related field.

Ascent offers a supportive, collaborative, and intellectually challenging work environment with excellent benefits. We invest in our employees’ careers and welfare and strive to provide high-quality outcomes for our clients. We offer flexible hours, collegial teamwork, participation in important and challenging projects, opportunities to contribute to and join in-service events for our local communities, and regular performance recognition.

Diversity Statement

Ascent is committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout all facets of the organization. We value and will strive to ascend by welcoming and uplifting all voices, ideas, achievements, and contributions, including those from marginalized communities and identities. We believe that recognizing and embracing our differences makes us a stronger organization. We commit to proactively nurturing environments of mutual support, respect, and caring for all through our words and actions. Join us on our journey.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Ascent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves or absence, compensation, and training.