Resource Conservation Specialist I/II/III – multiple positions!

Are you passionate about sustainability and environmental issues, being part of a team of enthusiastic and creative professionals, and being part of the changing ways in which local governments can develop and implement programs to address sustainability and environmental issues and serve the San Mateo County community?

Overview of Positions

The County of San Mateo's Office of Sustainability is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Resource Conservation Specialist. We want "sustainability professionals " to act as a liaison to empower our County departments and its employees, and the community to take meaningful actions on sustainable issues and environmental regulatory compliance.

The Office of Sustainability (OOS) has four working groups: Waste Reduction, Energy and Water, Livable Communities, and Climate Change. Each working group is seeking candidates to support the programs and projects in their respective work groups.

• To learn more about each of the OOS workgroups, please click here. 

Responsibilities

Examples of responsibilities for the positions in the different working groups will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Waste Reduction Working Group (two positions):

• Conduct, monitor, and evaluate outreach, public education, and garbage and recycling regulatory compliance programs' activities
• Support the planning and implementation of local and State legislation including SB 1383 for the unincorporated County areas, and the new disposable food service ware ordinance
• Support the implementation and transition to a new cloud-based database and tracking system for programs in the Waste Reduction working group
• Process waste management plans for construction and demolition projects located in the unincorporated county areas
• Answer questions and inquiries from the public on the Sustainability hotline

Energy (one position):

• Find decision makers at municipal buildings, K-12 public schools, and small businesses to educate them about energy efficiency and energy management project opportunities, utility bill savings strategies, and financing options
• "Drive" project opportunities to qualified contractors for audits and retrofits
• Track energy efficient installation progress via site managers and contractors

Stormwater (one position):

• Help the County meet current and future stormwater municipal regional permit (MRP) requirements
• Track and coordinate watershed total maximum daily load (TMDL) reduction efforts at multiple sites with internal and external partners, including new TMDL requirements expected in the next few years
• Work proactively with external agencies and multiple County departments to imbed planning and processes to meet expected new MRP requirements

Employee Commute Program (one position):

• Provide marketing and outreach guidance and assistance for Shift, the County's employee commute program, through implementing the Shift marketing strategy and developing new marketing materials
• Launch technology grants for departments to encourage teleworking for employees
• Increase Shift participation by conducting onsite outreach events at the individual County office locations
• Attend County Department staff meetings to promote the Shift program and recruit new users
• Analyze program effectiveness and design and research transportation demand management best practices for employee commute programs

Home for All San Mateo County Initiative (one position):

• Provide technical expertise on housing development and affordable housing funding and to Home for All task forces
• Research innovative strategies and solutions to producing and preserving housing at all income levels
• Assist in the development of a messaging platform, marketing strategy and outreach materials for the Home for All initiative
• Serve as a liaison to cities and school districts on Home for All community engagement projects
• Collaborate with decision makers, community partners and city staff on designing resources and implementing strategies to remove barriers to producing more housing

Climate Change Working Group (one position):

• Provide technical expertise and insight for the Climate Change team when working with local governments and non-profits, to include reviewing and communicating about climate modeling data for sea level rise, flooding, heat, landslides and wildfire
• Research and evaluate vulnerability to climate hazards and develop adaptation strategies, including the South Coast Sea Level Rise Risk and Solutions Study currently underway
• Coordinate development of a policy toolkit and model ordinances for climate impacts
• Support Lead efforts to incorporate climate change into planning documents, including General Plans, Capital Improvement Plans, Climate Action Plans, and Local Hazard Mitigation Plans for the County and cities
• Work with County Departments to evaluate vulnerability of facilities to climate change and develop guidelines and recommendations for addressing climate risks
• Support community engagement efforts related to climate adaptation and mitigation
• Support development of climate mitigation projects and work related to Climate Action Plans, including helping to coordinate mitigation and adaptation efforts
• Provide support to the San Mateo County Green Business Program

Qualifications

In addition, and related to programs or projects implemented by one or more of the working groups, the ideal candidate will possess: 

• A general knowledge of best practices for environmental and sustainability activities, issues and regulations
• The ability to track, audit and monitor developments in pertinent state mandates, laws, codes, rules, and regulations
• Experience preparing written materials such as narratives, project summaries, Board reports, technical charts, presentations, and public outreach materials
• Experience delivering targeted presentations to a wide variety of audiences and stakeholders
• An interest in integrating race, equity, and social and environmental justice into Office of Sustainability programs and projects
• Strong interpersonal skills – a natural marketer that easily connects with people and can act as a liaison with local, state agencies as well as the public
• Communication skills – a team player with both verbal and written acumen
• Strong analytical skills – experienced in conducting research, audits or analyzing data
• Independence – can "hit the ground running" and work with minimal supervision
• Flexibility – able to change course quickly and effectively
• Responsible – for appropriately tracking and evaluating to ensure regulatory compliance obligations and activities

Note: A typical way to qualify is one or more years of program coordination experience in the field of sustainability and/or resource conservation, with some specialization in one or more of the four working group initiatives.

Compensation

• $35.67-$53.01 is the range of hourly wage for these positions.  
• A competitive benefits package is associated with these positions. For complete information regarding benefits please click here.

To Apply

• To learn more about the position and to apply online, please click "Apply on Company Website" below.
• Applications are only accepted online.
• Final Filing Date: March 2, 2020

EOE