Climate & Buildings Support Programs Advisor

Position Description

THE DEPARTMENT

The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon neutral future.

THE JOB

OSE is recruiting for a Climate & Buildings Support Programs Advisor to grow and manage the Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator program. This program is a no-cost support and training program for owners and managers or operators of commercial and multifamily buildings in Seattle to meet State of WA Clean Buildings energy efficiency requirements and reduce climate-polluting emissions. In 2024, it will expand the training program offerings and add funding for direct capital and engineering support for buildings that serve or are in frontline communities to implement emissions reduction projects (e.g., non-profits, buildings with BIPOC-owned businesses, healthcare, museums, shelters, affordable multifamily housing, schools, community centers and more.)

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Program Management - this includes collaborating with OSE staff, community members, local partner organizations and other city departments to shape program expansion recommendations, and to grow the current education and training programs to deliver a responsive and equity aligned program.

Budgeting and Contracting - this includes managing current consultant contracts, and budget planned for 2024 of approximately $4 million. You will develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for consultant and other contracts to support engineering, and capital investments in buildings. Your work will be done in coordination with other OSE staff.

Policy Development - this includes developing and implementing policy and processes for the expanded program and for allocating and tracking the funding available for engineering design and capital investments. You will also serve as OSE's lead for recommending companion financial support programs for building emissions reduction (building decarbonization) at the City of Seattle and make annual policy and funding recommendations to enhance and expand current programs.

Job Responsibilities

To be successful in this job, you are committed to:

• Helping solve the problem of climate change in ways that are equitable and outcome driven.
• Collaborating with teammates, citywide colleagues, elected officials, and community members, especially those most impacted by climate change.
• Listening to the experience of current and potential program participants, local community organization and partner organizations to inform a responsive education, training, and support program for energy efficiency and building emissions reduction, including direct capital support.

To be effective in this job, you have:

• Built and managed a program or large project, identifying gaps, implementing changes, and continually improving program effectiveness for the participants.
• Strategized and/or designed training, technical support, incentive and/or funding programs in collaboration with partner organizations and incorporating participant feedback.
• Managed and tracked a large budget, RFP proposals and processes, consultant contracts and scopes of work all while adhering to project timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with community partners, the public, consultants, and colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with strategic energy management, building emissions reduction (building decarbonization), utility energy efficiency incentive programs, energy benchmarking, energy codes and/or energy or building performance standards.
• General knowledge of cost barriers, funding, and financing issues that impact the ability of various building ownership types to make upgrades to their buildings.

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have a professional career that reflects a commitment to supporting the public and/or local organizations to benefit from education, training, incentive, or direct capital support programs. This career orientation should be complemented by demonstrated qualifications in some or most of the following areas:

• Program development, management, and continuous improvement
• Collaborating with partners and customers
• Energy efficiency, emissions reduction other building-related program support areas
• Listening, communication, writing and the ability to make public presentations
• Experience applying an equity and inclusion lens to program development or implementation
• Consultant selection and management
• Budget management, RFP processes, invoice tracking
• Policy or program recommendation, development, and implementation
• Curriculum development and enhancement
• Delivering outcomes in a political and fast-paced environment

Additional Information

Starting November 1, 2022, City employees will work two days a week in the office.

The salary range for a Strategic Advisor 1, General government position is $43.89 - 65.83. For OSE internal equity, our target salary range is $56 - 58/hour depending on qualifications.

The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

Please complete the online application fully and attach:

• A pdf of your current resume
• A cover letter highlighting the work you have done that aligns most closely with this job

Questions? Contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Neighborhoods encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LBGTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 9/5/2023 4:00 PM Pacific