Job Description

The Director of Environmental Planning provides leadership and oversight for Environmental Planning Division staff engaged in sustainability, air quality, water quality, environmental remediation, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) practices for Port of Long Beach, The Green Port. The Director facilitates the Port’s environmental policies, procedures, training, guidance, and response to technical issues to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health and safety laws and regulations and implementation of proactive environmental improvement strategies to address air quality, climate change, and community health concerns.

CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)
To find out more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 5:00 PM PST, via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: 189 336 555#.  Click here to join the meeting 

THE TEAM
The Environmental Planning Division leads and provides planning and technical expertise on environmental and sustainability issues to ensure the Port achieves the objectives of the Green Port Policy, the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), the Port’s Zero Emissions, Energy Resilient Operations Program (ZEERO) Policy, the Port’s Energy Policy, and the Strategic Plan. With a staff of 27, the division is divided into 5 teams focused in sustainability, air quality, water quality, environmental remediation, and CEQA/NEPA. The Director has five direct reports, and is supported by an Assistant Director of Environmental Planning who shares oversight of the day-to-day operations. The Director is responsible for annual operating budget of approximately $18.1 million.

THE ROLE 
Under the direct guidance of the Managing Director of Environmental Affairs and Planning Bureau, the Director Environmental Planning is responsible for the leadership, development, and strategic vision of the Environmental Planning Division to include ensuring goals, performance metrics, and other requirements associated with day-to-day operations are achieved. Responsibilities are broad and diverse in scope and require a high degree of independent judgement and discretion.

How you get to contribute:

• Provides leadership and direction on Port of Long Beach’s environmental and sustainability initiatives.
• Oversees the development and implementation of the Port’s environmental and sustainability policies to ensure the Port achieves the Environmental Goals and Objectives contained in the Port’s Strategic Plan, including the Green Port Policy, Zero Emissions and Energy Resilient Operation (ZEERO) Policy, and Energy Policy.
• Directs the planning and implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan, including the Port’s zero emission and decarbonization programs, the Clean Trucks Program, Technology Advancement Program and other applicable initiatives.
• Directs the preparation of grant applications to Federal and State programs and the administration of awarded grant funds for port-related environmental projects, and provides leadership and overall direction for implementation and management of the Port’s Community Grants Program.
• Directs the assessment of environmental liabilities and recommends appropriate management actions.
• Oversees the Port’s engagement with environmental organizations and community members on environmental and sustainability matters.
• Provides leadership for the Port’s stormwater program and ensures strict adherence to the Port’s regulatory enforcement responsibilities.
• Represents the Port at public workshops and hearings before Federal and State regulatory and resource agencies.
• Directs activities related to Port’s role and responsibilities as the Lead Agency under CEQA/NEPA, including the preparation of environmental documents.
• Makes Environmental Determinations on behalf of the Port and recommends Environmental Determinations to the Board of Harbor Commissioners pursuant to CEQA.
• Trains and mentors staff on project management, problem resolution techniques, and environmental policy and project implementation strategies; provides leadership with respect to career development.
• Plans, supervises and allocates Division resources.
• Performs other related duties as required.

What we are looking for… 

Required

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Planning, Environmental Engineering, Public Health Policy, or a closely related field is required. Experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum 10 years of increasingly responsible public or private sector experience in the environmental field.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge of CEQA/NEPA.
• Ability to travel to work-related events, including off-site meetings and conferences.

 
Desirables

• A graduate degree.
• Port, goods movement, or coastal environmental experience (preference given to experience in other Port environments).
• Strong leadership background with experience as a number one or number two management professional in a complex, similarly situated organization with comparable challenges and structure.
• Certifications to include Registered Environmental Professional (REP), Certified Environmental Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO), or other environment focused areas.

To thrive, you will need technical knowledge of issues related to air quality, water quality, marine wildlife resources, sediment/soil resources and CEQA/NEPA practices. You will need to be flexible, strategic, innovative and forward thinking with excellent client/customer relation skills and exceptional public speaking/presentation skills. It is essential you have demonstrated leadership that include maturity, vision and ability to articulate an organization’s vision, mission and goals to others. This role requires the ability to establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees, outside agencies, elected officials, environmental organizations and community members.

If you require an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7500, or email [email protected].

The Port of Long Beach is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

ABOUT US
The Port of Long Beach, one of the world’s busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with moving approximately $200 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center.  Guided by an award-winning Green Port Policy, we are reducing harmful air emissions from port-related operations, improving water quality in the harbor, protecting marine wildlife and implementing environmentally sustainable practices for the Port of Long Beach, The Green Port.

The Port of Long Beach is committed to improving the environment, as demonstrated by its 20-year record of environmental protection programs. The Green Port Policy is an aggressive, comprehensive and coordinated approach to reduce the negative impacts of Port operations. The Green Port Policy, which the Board adopted in January 2005, serves as a guide for decision making and established a framework for environmentally friendly Port operations.

To learn more about the ways we are building the Green Port of the Future, please visit: https://polb.com/environment.

How to Apply

How do we start the conversation?

The final filing date for this recruitment is Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST. The Port reserves the right to extend the closing without notice in order to accept additional applications.

To be considered for this extraordinary opportunity, you must submit a cover letter and a resume (as PDF attachments) reflecting the scope of current/most recent organizations and responsibilities. Incomplete submissions, or those that clearly do not meet the minimum requirements, will not be considered. Documents will be evaluated to determine the most qualified applicants. Submissions will only be accepted online at www.governmentjobs.com (click here for a direct link to apply)

Individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in a panel interview to further evaluate candidate qualifications. First and second round panel interviews are scheduled to occur on Monday, April 1, 2024 (virtual) and Wednesday, April 10, 2024 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter.

• Auto Allowance – $550 per month.
• Executive Leave – 40 hours per year.
• Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with social security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for social security, paid by the employee.
• Pay for Performance – awarded based performance demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, required competencies, and available budget funds.
• Deferred Compensation – City match up to 2% of base salary for all qualified members that are contributing to the 457(b) plan. 3% matching for qualified PEPRA members.
• Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Life Insurance – City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance – City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation – Vacation is accrued at 3.7 hours per pay period to begin, which is equivalent to two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. Vacation accrual credit for prior public service subject to approval.
• Sick Leave –  Accrued 3.7 hours per pay period. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Bereavement Leave – 5 days for death or critical illness of immediate family member.
• Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement available for employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Annual Physical – Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at City expense through the City provided program.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 College Savings Plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself, to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university – or two-year technical or vocational institution.

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

Apply for this Job