Sustainability Specialist

Primary Purpose

Under the direction of the Sustainability Manager, facilitates the goals and objectives of the County’s sustainability initiatives, environmental programs, and energy use policies and practices for both internal County operations and the greater community (i.e. commercial, residential and institutional sectors). This is an interdisciplinary position requiring considerable familiarity with a broad range of issues related to environmental sustainability. Initiatives may include preparing, promoting, coordinating, planning, monitoring, and implementing programs associated with the County’s sustainability, recycling, energy, and environmental policies, procedures, and ordinances.

Serves as the County’s liaison with other entities and organizations regarding sustainability and environmental matters that will promote the County’s initiatives and programs.

• Facilitates the County’s sustainability initiatives to protect natural resources and enhance the quality of life for current and future residents of Santa Fe County.
• Assists with the development and implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan strategy, including municipal and countywide greenhouse gas accounting, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan for County operations, the countywide climate action plan implementation of key actions and programs, and climate action reporting through annual reporting for Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), dashboards, and presentations in public forums.
• Coordinates with businesses, community groups along with public agencies in the region that are involved in sustainability initiatives to explore opportunities for synergism and partnerships.
• Identifies County government targets and metrics and works with departments to accomplish appropriate goals that address greenhouse gas emissions reductions; pollution prevention and waste reduction; conservation of natural resources; utilization of renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies; environmentally sound purchasing policies; green building; deployment of electric fleet vehicles; installation and infrastructure planning of electric vehicle charging stations; and facility operations and maintenance practices.
• Manages the collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of climate action data; prepares sustainability status reporting to measure progress and performance.
• Implements compliance and reporting for various Federal, State and local required programs.
• Informs, educates and seeks input from citizens, business owners and community groups, (including schools, neighborhood associations and non‑profits) regarding the importance of deploying clean energy strategies (solar power and energy efficiency) and increasing waste reduction and recycling rates.
• Organizes public outreach efforts and public education programs dealing with sustainability, clean energy measures and other resource management issues.
• Provides technical assistance to the public regarding solar power feasibility and compliance with the County Code’s residential and commercial energy efficiency requirements for new construction.
• Responds in a timely manner to public inquiries regarding sustainability issues.
• Serves as a staff liaison with specific boards, commissions, working groups and/or committees, providing technical advice and assistance.
• Performs and reviews technical calculations and studies; prepares and reviews graphs, tables, spreadsheets and other analysis and presentation material; and measures and monitors the impact of sustainability projects.
• Conducts research about sustainability policies, requirements, and funding sources; prepares internal and public facing communications such as presentations, funding proposals, SharePoint content, and newsletter articles.
• Presents ideas, technical data, and policy options to the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager, and Santa Fe County staff.
• Provides direction and support and leads presentations to County staff regarding sustainability goals; and encourages active staff participation in sustainability initiatives.
• Collaborates with other County departments on sustainability projects and supports…