Sustainability & Climate Action Technician

Overview

The Solid Waste and Sustainability program within Environmental Services oversees the franchising of garbage and recycling services, administers the solid waste code, supports internal sustainability planning and community-wide climate action. It coordinates the City’s sustainability and waste reduction efforts including the provision of technical assistance to workplaces, schools, and residents, pursuant to the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and state statutes. This program participates and advises in regional materials management planning, state and regional policy development, and program development with local government agencies, Metro and DEQ.

Under general direction of the Solid Waste & Sustainability Manager, the Sustainability and Climate Action Technician is responsible for the overall implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan. The position focuses on internal government operations and supporting the work of community-wide initiatives that support a sustainable Gresham. In addition to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the successful candidate will support recycling, waste prevention and reuse education and outreach programs.

This job announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. First review of applications will take place the week of September 27, 2021. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

As Oregon’s fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic, innovative and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve, and go beyond to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Description

The Sustainability and Climate Action Technician will help implement Gresham’s Climate Action Plan and support solid waste and recycling education and outreach programs. This position reports to the Solid Waste & Sustainability Manager and collaborates with City, County, and regional sustainability professionals.

What you will get to do:
Provide vision and leadership in the implementation of the city’s Climate Action Plan.

Collaborates with the city solid waste and sustainability program, and other city staff, for integrated program development and outreach.

Manages or supports complex technical projects in the areas of sustainability, including greenhouse gas emissions reductions and inventory, energy conservation and renewable energy, climate adaptation and resiliency, waste reduction and recycling, alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, and transportation options; sustainability education and outreach; and policy development.

Develops and coordinates sustainability recommendations for City facilities, programs, policies, and projects, including facilitation of inter-departmental coordination to support City sustainability goals and policies.

Develops programs and assists private parties in helping to implement local, regional, or state sustainability goals.

Meets with and explains to the general public, programs, projects, and concepts related to City sustainability programs.

Supports public outreach efforts and public education programs dealing with sustainability issues; identifies stakeholders; prepares content for newsletters and website; conducts surveys and analyzes data; and leads public meetings.

Performs a variety of research relating to sustainability planning, including the collection and analysis of various data, and evaluation of best practices and policy implications.

Supports development of sustainability policies for City program areas. Provides research and policy support for integrating sustainability into existing City program areas, such as CIP planning, low-impact development and green building, land use and transportation planning, procurement, toxics reduction, and economic development.

Prepares and presents plans, plan updates, and reports on climate action plan.

Prepares oral and written reports and presentations covering various sustainability issues for staff, City and other government officials, citizens, businesses, community groups, and stakeholders.

Works with regional and state partners to coordinate planning and implementation of climate action efforts.

Ensure that equity is prioritized to address the needs of BIPOC communities and low-income community members.

Assists Facilities in preparing and implementing environmental management systems where appropriate.

Represents the City at meetings and provides technical expertise on sustainability issues.

Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualities we are looking for:
Someone who is well organized, creative and can process details and manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.

Someone who can work independently with minimal direction.

A person who thrives on customer service, is inclusive when developing new relationships and works within a highly collaborative team.

Someone who can lead with equity and exhibit cultural competency and apply an equity lens to policies and programs.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of: Sustainability, materials management, waste reduction and resource conservation principles, programs, activities and the applicable laws; approaches and best management practices for assisting private and public sector organizations in developing and adopting such practices and programs; concepts of sustainability as applied in communities and in businesses; systems thinking using the triple bottom line and other sustainability frameworks, resource conservation, or energy (efficiency & renewable);principles, practices and techniques of research, planning, project management, program administration and evaluation, and community or customer engagement.

Working Knowledge of: Quantitative analysis and statistical research methods; principles, practices and techniques of public relations, marketing, and project management; current trends and methods related to sustainability, sustainable business and materials management; best practices for this area and technical expertise to address such issues; applicable Federal, State and local regulations; principles and practices of program management; English grammar and composition.

Skill to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; recruit, coordinate and direct volunteers, committee members or appointees; coordinate staff and develop team work plans and annual priorities; interpret and apply applicable laws and regulations; research, analyze, and evaluate complex problems and devise solutions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups; lead the development and implementation of projects; resolve challenging customer service and stakeholder issues; motivate people to participate in community sustainability and waste reduction programs; effectively use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software; prepare and deliver presentations and trainings to various audiences.

Minimum Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED

One (1) to four (4) years of experience focusing on policy and program development related to sustainability, climate action and energy management.

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in sustainability, climate science, natural resource management, sustainable development, renewable energy, environmental studies or a related field, and two or more years of experience in an analytical position that includes sustainability or climate action planning.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; including making presentations to a variety of audiences throughout the community.

Knowledge of project management principles and practices.

Bi-lingual in Spanish or Russian.

Knowledge of materials management, waste reduction and resource conservation principles, programs and activities.

Knowledge of the Natural Step, LEED building practices, strategic energy management, triple bottom line or other sustainability principles.

Selection Process

To apply for this position, click ‘Apply’ at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:
Complete online application (do not put ‘see resume’ in any fields)

Cover letter (no longer than 1 page) describing interest in the position and summarizing your related experience

Resume

Responses to the supplemental questions

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to [email protected], or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required documents.

A review of application materials submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran’s Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran’s preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran’s disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or [email protected].

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855- 524- 5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.