Position: Sustainability Director

Organization: City of Providence

Location: Providence, RI

 

Description

Summary: The Director of Sustainability is responsible for the development and implementation of a Sustainability Action Plan for the Mayor. This comprehensive plan will serve as a framework for a coherent set of strategies, policies and programs dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of municipal government and the city of Providence as a whole. Key benefits of this work will include positive environmental impact, municipal cost savings, reduced energy consumption, job creation, economic development and citizen engagement.

This will be a non-union position, reporting to the Director of Policy, leading an interdepartmental Sustainability Team.

Responsibilities, Skills, Activities:

Key responsibilities of the Director include the following:

• Develop a funded program to reduce energy use and costs for city and school facilities and equipment
• Develop a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) – a comprehensive set of strategies to reduce municipal, school and city-wide carbon footprint
• Develop a system to track progress in implementing the Sustainability Action Plan, including a set of indicators, baselines and targets
• Produce measurable results
• Engage municipal and school departments in implementing the SAP
• Engage residents, advocates, academia, non-profits and for-profits in implementing the SAP
• Increase Providence’s visibility as a national leader in the field of Sustainability
• Ensure connection to sustainability in economic and workforce development efforts

Key skills of the Director will include the following:

• Policy leadership: research and analyze best or promising practices, building off of GreenPrint Providence, MovingForward Providence and the recommendations of the Environmental Sustainability Task Force
• Personnel management: oversight of employees, including two (2) energy managers
• Inter-departmental coordination: assemble and lead an interdepartmental sustainability team to develop and meet Sustainability Action Plan goals
• Community leadership and communication: provide leadership with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders to address adaptive challenges to sustainability in Providence
• Process and systems development: ensure measurement and accountability
• Fund development: target and secure funds and financing to support Sustainability efforts

Key activities will include the following:

• Work with members of city administration, the Mayor’s Environmental Transition team, the City Council Energy and Sustainability Task Force, and other community stakeholders to prioritize sustainability recommendations and finalize into a Sustainability Action Plan that includes alignment with the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement

• Develop and convene an interdepartmental Sustainability Team to support and oversee departmental sustainability efforts

• Support conservation and renewable development efforts in the Department of Public Property with funding for projects and data system development

• Oversee the monitoring of municipal and schools energy use and report regularly on success in meeting established targets

• Provide oversight for Energy and Efficiency and Conservation Block funding

• Assume leadership or exercise a supporting role in existing efforts, including Emerald Cities Collaborative, Green and Healthy Housing Initiative, Providence Sustainability Roundtable, Food Scrap Composting, Transit2020 and Providence Core Connector, Municipal Renewable Energy Development, etc.

• Measure progress towards and support the implementation of applicable city ordinances, and state laws including the following: Recycling Rates, Diesel Emission Reduction, Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and Energy and Sustainability Manager

• Develop communication and outreach plans to engage stakeholders

• Monitor and influence philanthropic, federal, state and local opportunities to advance, support and fund the Sustainability Action Plan

• Participate in relevant organizations, including Urban Sustainability Directors Network, EPA Region 1 Municipal Sustainability Network, U.S. Conference of Mayors

• Support efforts to market Providence as destination for economic development opportunities in the green sector through branding, incentives, and technical assistance

• Support workforce development efforts in understanding green sector job opportunities, skills required for such opportunities and closing skills gaps

• Provide technical assistance to City departments on the development of resource conservation plans and projects including identifying technical resources, financial assistance, and partnerships

• Pursue grants and other funding, recognition/awards, where appropriate to facilitate meeting energy use targets

• Coordinate and supervise the work of professional contractors, relevant personnel and support services, such as ICLEI

• Regularly report to Director of Policy

• Prepare regular progress reports for the public

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in developing and implementing a Sustainability Action Plan (or a Climate Action Plan) with measurable results is preferred

• Experience in reducing municipal energy use and expenditures is preferred

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; A Master’s degree is preferred.

• Substantial experience/understanding of energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental practices in the built environment, particularly in urban settings

• Expertise in energy related public finance and incentives, particularly state, federal resources

• High level of knowledge of resource conservation and practices

• Demonstrated ability to lead work groups, facilitate meetings, and manage complex projects and partnerships

• Advanced knowledge of policy analysis, environmental planning, and project management

• Excellent, highly effective communication skills, including experience producing reports

• Ability to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders such as private and public sector officials, and members of the NGO and philanthropic communities

• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job

• Supervisory skills

 

How to Apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter that clearly identifies the position for which you are applying:

City Hall – Human Resources Department

(401) 273-9510 Fax