The Office of Climate and Sustainability works with City departments, community organizations, and New Haven residents to advance and coordinate city-wide climate and environmental sustainability policies, practices, and initiatives. The Office seeks to implement climate mitigation and adaptation solutions that intersect with and address the immediate challenges facing our residents: from finding safe and affordable housing, to accessing quality employment opportunities, to improving air quality and respiratory health.  Our work is particularly focused on addressing the health and economic impacts of climate change in underserved communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and are still overcoming the legacy of redlining.

In 2019, the City of New Haven formally recognized the urgency of the climate crisis by adopting a Climate Emergency Resolution calling for ending community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2030. In 2021, the City adopted its Community Electrification Resolution, committing the City to electrifying City buildings and vehicles in the same time frame. The following year the City approved the Safe Routes for All Active Transportation Plan, which maps out a city-wide bicycle network and lays out plans for pedestrian and transit improvements. These efforts build upon prior public policy initiatives including the City’s 2018 Climate and Sustainability Framework and the Move New Haven transportation study in partnership with the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is a mayoral-appointed position in a challenging work environment requiring strong analysis and engagement skills to help coordinate and implement the City’s response to the climate emergency and sustainability. Special focus is on addressing the health and economic impacts of climate change on already distressed populations from COVID-19, poverty, and other factors.

This position reports to the Executive Director of Sustainability and focuses on engagement and implementation of the City’s program portfolio for addressing climate and sustainability issues. The position will focus on the impact of the climate emergency not only on City operations but also the broad community in balancing the City’s shared objectives for a healthy environment, an excellent quality of life, and continued economic vitality. The position involves managing multiple high-priority projects at once, often as the independent lead for these projects, and therefore requires a clear understanding of the Office’s priorities and skill in representing the City with key stakeholders.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the lead quantitative analyst for the office, providing statistical analysis, data management and hygiene, and geospatial analysis for most Office projects. Examples include greenhouse gas accounting, analysis of City Tax Assessment datasets, and cleaning and analyzing datasets provided by community-based partners.
• Designs and implements a community outreach strategy that offers New Haven community members a key role in shaping climate and sustainability initiatives in their neighborhoods and provides them with information about programs and initiatives from which they can benefit.
• Provides logistical and programmatic support for public events, forums, and discussions; Special emphasis on engaging communities that are historically disadvantaged or under-served by local, state, and federal programs.
• Manager of Office interns and outreach workers (canvassers). Work includes setting the scope of work for each position, leading the hiring process, creating work plans, and ensuring proper accounting of technology and materials.
• Drafts public education materials for publication on the City website, as well as promotional flyers, banners, and other outreach materials for community engagement work.
• Leads research related to topics of strategic importance to the Office and the implementation of key initiatives for the Office (recent examples include surveying available information on the incremental cost of multifamily building electrification and green construction standards, researching methodology for estimating climate pollution reduction impacts of shifting from conventional heating and cooling systems to geothermal systems, and selecting induction cooktops and indoor air filters for a clean cooktops campaign).
• Assists in the development of grant applications to bring additional City resources to address environmental issues with strong health and economic co-benefits for residents. In particular, develops program narratives and budget descriptions, and completes associated forms for federal grant applications (recent grant applications selected include funding for targeted energy efficiency outreach in disadvantaged communities, converting heating systems from oil to heat pumps and monitoring associated changes in indoor air quality, and assisting local schools and nonprofits with food rescue and food scrap diversion).
• Assists Executive Director of the Office in making key decisions related to the priorities and long-term agenda of the Office and in structuring the work of the office in the medium-term and short-term (week to week and day to day).
• Assists City Departments, outside partners, and members of the public in achieving the goals of the City’s response to the climate emergency through technical assistance as assigned.
• Coordinates and communicates the City’s portfolio of sustainability programs as assigned with individuals in the City’s organization and other partners.
• Tasks and projects as assigned by the Executive Director of Sustainability, or other designee.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university; preference for concentration in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Management, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Architecture or a related field. Ability to communicate in Spanish and GIS skills are a plus but are not required. Experience in outreach and/or organizing is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must also possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Strong knowledge and commitment to tackling the challenges of climate change particularly for vulnerable communities.
• Familiarity with the most current concepts of conservation, climate mitigation, and sustainable practices including but not limited to: energy conservation, decarbonization, air quality, heat mitigation, climate health impacts, economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities, green building, resource and water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, renewable resources, and environmental reporting metrics.
• Ability to engage a wide variety of individuals who may have diverse interests and abilities in addressing the climate emergency.
• Ability to prepare quantitative and qualitative reports and analysis including metrics of the City’s sustainability portfolio.
• Demonstrated advanced level skills in abilities in word processing, document preparation, spreadsheet management, cost-benefit analysis, and environmental project financing.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities and unforeseen obstacles while maintaining a focus on meeting firm deadlines and achieving project milestones.
• Ability to assist with grant submissions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey information to employees and other stakeholders, as well as write clear and concise reports and other media presentations.
• Ability to problem-solve and communicate in a complex and dynamic environment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• As engagement coordinator, the incumbent in this position works outside a normal business schedule, often participating in community events and meetings after 5 PM and on Saturdays and Sundays

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a “Special Fund” non-tested position. It is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. Note also that employment contingent upon availability of future funding; grant is anticipated to be funded through 12/2026.

This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE.

Hires into this class shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security; additionally, employee will contribute 7.5% of base pay into a defined contribution plan.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

SELECTION PLAN

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources.