Climate Action Coordinator

Primary purpose
:
The City of Newton has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. While reaching this goal requires effort from all City departments, residents, and businesses, about 60% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from residential buildings and personal vehicles. The role of the Climate Action Coordinator is to focus on decarbonization of the residential sector, while also coordinating other climate action work happening around the City.

The Climate Action Coordinator works as part of a team, and the work varies depending on the changing focus of the team at different times.

Supervision
:
Works under the general direction of the Co-Directors of Sustainability. May oversee and direct co-op or intern students, volunteers and/or grant-sponsored contractors.

Administrative work is performed in an office environment in City Hall and remotely if/as City policy provides. Some work is performed outdoors at which time the incumbent may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather.

• The work environment may be moderately noisy.
• The Climate Action Coordinator may need to be in close proximity to moving mechanical equipment, heavy machinery, fumes and/or airborne particles.
• The incumbent is sometimes required to work outside of normal business hours, e.g., when attending evening meetings or weekend events.

Essential Functions
:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

Climate Action Plan Development and Tracking
:

• Take the lead in the development of periodic updates to the Newton Climate Action Plan, including leading an outreach and feedback process.
• Take the lead in the creation of metrics, tracking, and reporting progress of Climate Action Plan activities.
• Coordinate with other City departments to develop climate policies and procedures consistent with the Plan.
• Develop programs with Newton Public Schools, universities, non-governmental agencies, and community groups to support implementation of the Plan.

Outreach and Coordination
:

• Design, develop, and disseminate outreach information and activities to promote, educate, and support residents with undertaking green building retrofits and new green building construction.
• Participate in and train volunteers to participate in community events to publicize climate information and actions.
• Work with community partners and consultants to develop branded materials such as banners, yard signs, flyers, etc.
• Grow community knowledge of and engagement in Newton climate actions by regularly updating the climate action newsletter, social media, and City webpages.
• Host the Newton Earth Day Festival and other events in coordination with community organizations.

Technical Expertise
:

• Knowledgeable with respect to best green building practices, energy technologies, services and incentives available for integrating green building practices into new construction and building retrofits.
• Ability to perform website maintenance.
• Familiar with the use of remote meeting software such as Zoom, Teams or other similar technologies.

Communications and Administrative

• Manage the Newton Energy Coach program by supervising volunteer energy coaches and providing coaching assistance as necessary.
• Serve as an interface among Newton residences and businesses, contractors, developers, City departments, and other groups.
• Maintain and develop new relationships with utilities, contractors, grassroots organizations, state-level organizations, developers, designers, and other buildings professionals to maximize the implementation of green building practices in new construction and retrofits in the residential sector.

Policy Development

• Assist with the development and implementation of City climate policies, including but not limited to BERDO and electrification.
• Assist with identifying, applying for, and implementing climate and energy grants, as they become available.
• Administer the Green Communities requirements for the city including annual reporting and maintaining the Mass Energy Insight data platform.
• Perform a variety of administrative and supervisory functions.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications
:

• Graduat…