Sustainability Program Coordinator

Job Summary

One of the City of Bellevue’s core values is stewardship, and the city has recently committed to accelerating the implementation of its Environmental Stewardship Sustainable Bellevue Plan by growing the city’s sustainability team. The new Sustainability Coordinator position will support a portfolio of sustainability projects and lead the Bellevue Climate Challenge program and other outreach and engagement efforts. The position will provide project administration, marketing, communications, and outreach support for programs supporting Bellevue residents and businesses in taking action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
Bellevue is a dynamic city in transition that is growing rapidly while also aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. As Seattle’s largest neighbor, we are a welcoming, multicultural community with many passionate residents and leading organizations committed to reducing their impact on the environment. This position will play a key role in engaging Bellevue residents and community groups in taking action to reduce their environmental impact. 
 
Ideal candidates will have strong skills in outreach and marketing around environmental issues, communications, project administration, community engagement, and local climate and sustainability efforts. 
 
Apply if you want to:  

• Work in an ambitious organization serving a transforming community.
• Are passionate about local solutions to combat climate change and increase equity and enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with the community. 
• Work in a newly forming sustainability team working on high priority sustainability projects. 
• Want to work in the community and have a public facing role with a lot of external engagement.

The City of Bellevue is hiring for several new positions in the sustainability team. In your application supplemental questions, please note if you are interested in any of the other positions and be sure to apply to each position separately.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Public Relations and Community Outreach: Serves as a liaison between the city’s sustainability program and residents at community meetings and other points of public contact; prepares and distributes informational and marketing materials; coordinates special events; speaks and presents information about the program to community groups, volunteers, other agencies and employees; develops and creates educational programs and public involvement opportunities; recruits and oversees program volunteers and participants.
• Develop and deliver climate and sustainability outreach and engagement with the community, to help residents and community organizations take action. 
• Lead the Bellevue Climate Challenge, a resident engagement program.  Promote the program, recruit participants, provide trainings and ongoing support to keep people engaged. 
• Volunteer management: Develop a volunteer climate ambassador program of residents who are passionate about climate change and want to engage more residents in the City’s programming. Engage with youth environmental groups and help connect youth to Bellevue’s environmental programs and resources. 
• Project Management:  Manages projects and programs and supports other sustainability team members in project management and administration. Monitors performance and makes recommendations for adjustments in strategy to ensure goals are achieved. 
• Program Marketing and Promotion: Develop marketing materials, reports, flyers, and other resources to support program. Manage sustainability website, communications, newsletter, social media, and other communications channels. 
• Research best practices on community engagement related to sustainability along with example policies and programs, to support the development of new sustainability initiatives. 
• Provide support for urban forestry outreach and engagement efforts and the annual tree giveaway program. 
• Collaborate with other sustainability team members, along with community development department staff in planning, economic development, neighborhood services, and other city departments. 
• Support the advancement of Bellevue’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals by building relationships with diverse community groups, developing outreach opportunities tailored to specific community needs or first languages with support from interpreters cultural outreach assistants. 
• Identify and act on opportunities for new or improved projects, programs, tools, and partnerships to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Bellevue plan. 
• Identify and apply for grants to support the plan implementation and manage grants. 

Qualifications

• Knowledge of local sustainability and climate action planning and implementation best practices. 
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to deliver persuasive, succinct presentations to residents, partners, senior management, and community members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. 
• Skill with various software programs including Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Survey Monkey, website content management, among others.
• Excellent written communication skills and abilities to communicate in various mediums, ranging from newsletters, flyers, and social media to technical reports and plans. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other governmental jurisdictions, contractors and other City staff; ability to communicate and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Experience with project management, including managing budgets, timelines, deliverables, and progress reporting. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in urban planning, environmental policy, environmental science, public policy, communications, or a combination of similar experience and education. 
• Three to five years of professional related experience in administering programs, preferably in the public sector, which experience may include budgetary, analytical, communications, and project management responsibilities. 
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

All new hires will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. 
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Ewing, Sustainability Manager at 425-452-6129 or jewing@bellevuewa.gov. For technical assistance with the online application contact 855-524-5627.

The Community Development Department full-time and limited-term staff participate in a hybrid work schedule with three days a week working from Bellevue City Hall.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The five essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: exceptional public service, stewardship, committee to employees, integrity, and innovation. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team!

The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office at 425-452-6838 or bellevuehr@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue values diversity in its workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local laws.