MI Healthy Climate Fellow Sustainability

Ferndale City Hall, 300

E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220

Join the MI Healthy Climate Fellows (MHC Fellows) and make a lasting impact on Michigan’s carbon-neutral future! The MHC Fellows program accelerates Michigan’s climate action through capacity building and leadership development. Fellows serve across the state to advance the MI Healthy Climate Plan’s (MHCP) goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan, unveiled by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022, aims to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis;

create good-paying jobs; position Michigan as a climate action leader; and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders.

The City of Ferndale is an inclusive, engaged municipality in southeast Oakland County. Home to around 20,000 residents, Ferndale is committed to serving residents with excellence. The City has been an early adopter of climate action in southeast Michigan through our aggressive climate goal of 63% of carbon emissions reduced by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2050.

• MHC Fellow
  
  Role and Responsibilities:
  
  Collaborate with the Sustainability, Planning, and Facilities teams to update and implement the City of Ferndale Electric Vehicle Charging Master Plan.
• Coordinate EV charger improvements in two municipal parking lots and two municipal facilities; monitor EV Charger and Solar Array data portals and support the planning of municipal solar installations.
• Support planning facility improvement recommendations from the  Community Energy Management Grant.
• Develop resources for community education regarding utility efficiency and decarbonization.
• Provide direct outreach (door-to-door, community events, office hours, etc.) to local stakeholders to reduce the issues of the digital divide/digital literacy, transportation access, and physical access.
• Design and distribute a pre- and post-survey to measure the impact resources and our community engagement process.
• Assist the Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission with the implementation of their MI Healthy Climate Fellow Position Description Residential Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
• Coordinate the local component of the upcoming Oakland County Commercial/House of Worship/Non-profit Solarize campaign kicking off in the winter of 2026.
• Evaluate “Better Building Code” and other ordinance changes that will support healthy, safe living environments for renters and homeowners.
• Support the Sustainability team on establishing new baseline data for utility use, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate reporting.
• Assist with updating the Energy Star Portfolio Manager and incorporate water data; monitor and flag utility data.
• Empower the community to access climate resources by planning meetings, educational programs, and/or other activities to consistently share information.
• Participate in MHC Fellows development shared learning and collaboration activities including four MHC Fellow in-person convenings and, MHC Fellows monthly virtual trainings (refer to calendar attachment).
• Fellows will host a community input session with their host site to collect community feedback and advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

• Fellows will complete a mid-year survey during the term.
• Fellows will complete a pre service baseline capacity assessment and post service capacity evaluation.
• Other reporting requirements (e.g. bi-weekly timesheets, monthly progress reports, etc.)

The appropriate candidate will have a strong interest and/or background in environmental issues, coalition building and/or community organizing, and communications or a combination of such interests. The appropriate candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, the ability to work within a team or as an individual and be familiar with the Microsoft Office suite and Google Applications.

Fellows are required to work the standard office hours of their host communities.

No specific background or education is required to join the MHC Fellow! But a minimum of 2 years of experience in these types of…