Sustainability Program Manager – Climate Resilience 

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

The County of San Mateo's Office of Sustainability (OOS) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sustainability Program Manager – Climate Resilience to lead the Climate Resilience team. This team is responsible for implementing programs in climate change adaptation; stormwater compliance and green infrastructure; water conservation; and community, volunteer, and business education and engagement. In addition, the team develops policies, conducts countywide climate change adaptation and resilience planning, and performs studies to synthesize information on climate change impacts such as sea level rise, precipitation, heat, and wildfire.

About OOS

Formed in July 2014 as a part of the County Manager’s Office, the Office of Sustainability strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community through work in areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, resource conservation, active transportation, climate resiliency, affordable housing, and greenhouse gas emission reductions. OOS is committed to increasing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion through our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase equity in our programs. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting and hiring.

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! The Office of Sustainability has a fun and supportive work environment that supports a work-life balance, including:

• Flexible, hybrid work schedule opportunities 
• Wellness classes and resources
• Generous benefits package
• Subsidy of up to $150 per month to cover the costs of public transit, vanpooling, carpooling, and bike and scooter share, or up to $480 per year for walking, biking, or carpooling to work 
• At least 20 hours of training provided annually

Position Overview

The ideal candidate is an experienced manager who has led climate change resilience, stormwater, water conservation, or adaptation programs, and has successfully integrated equity into program design and implementation. The ideal candidate is a proven sustainability leader with excellent program and project management skills who can build strong partnerships to develop long-term strategic solutions and deliver short-term initiatives. The successful candidate has a strong commitment to equity, racial equity, and social justice; staff development; public service; and to empowering our departments, employees, and our community members to take meaningful actions on sustainability. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative and politically astute, sets strategic direction, leads development of work plans, and manages resources to bring projects to completion.

Additionally, the ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively frame and communicate complex concepts for different audiences, orally and in writing. Key skills include community problem resolution, policy development, and facilitating large public processes or projects with an active, highly engaged community. The ideal candidate possesses a broad knowledge of trends and technical information on climate change impacts and resilience strategies, or on water-related programs, such as stormwater management, and is comfortable in a fast-paced, people-focused environment. The ideal candidate has experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders and perspectives and understands institutional and structural racism and bias and its impact on underrepresented communities. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of eight years of increasingly responsible experience managing sustainability programs and staff.

Note: This job closes on 3/21/2022 12:00 PM Pacific Time.

Job Duties 

The Sustainability Program Manager manages the Climate Resilience team within the Office of Sustainability and receives direction from the Director or Assistant Director of the Office of Sustainability and external governing bodies for respective programs within their responsibility area. The Program Manager exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, support, contract, and volunteer staff. The Program Manager will develop cross-sector partnerships and collaborative programs that respond to community and regulatory needs that result in measurable improvements in climate change resilience and water quality throughout San Mateo County.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, administer, and coordinate the activities of assigned professional and technical staff involved in work of the Climate Resilience team.
• Plan, develop, and monitor the budget for the Climate Resilience program.
• Work closely with staff to develop strategic, program and project implementation plans for the Climate Resilience team. 
• Manage and participate in personnel actions for the department including selection, performance planning, discipline, training and development.
• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate climate resilience, stormwater, water conservation, and green infrastructure programs.
• Serve as primary subject matter expert in the assigned area to the County, external agencies, businesses, community groups and the public.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for Climate Resilience programs.
• Coordinate programs, projects and activities within the assigned area that cross over major areas of the section or across teams.
• Apply an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impacts on underserved and underrepresented communities into project design and implementation to better serve all county residents.
• Assure compliance with federal, state, local and other pertinent mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations and agreements within assigned area.
• Serve as a representative or assign representatives to serve on related boards, commissions, committees and community groups. 
• Develop, negotiate, and monitor grants.
• Prepare and review comprehensive reports, letters, and other written materials.
• Make public presentations, conduct outreach, training and/or public education as necessary.
• Provide leadership and promote teamwork while managing sustainability programs and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

Program and Project Management

• Demonstrated program management ability to establish program priorities, effectively manage resources, and ensure successful program outcomes while mentoring and coaching junior staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage complex projects involving competing interests and objectives, build multi-disciplinary project teams that do not include direct reports, and delegate and coordinate assignments.
• Strong project management experience, including the ability to evaluate program success, meet program objectives, develop a clear and actionable set of priorities and initiatives, and determine metrics of success and to mentor staff in developing these skills.
• Knowledge of recruiting, onboarding, managing, and ongoing employee engagement.

Public Process

• Demonstrated experience in managing public processes.
• Experience working with local public interest groups.
• Experience with monitoring progress through collecting data, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Experience managing outside agencies, consultants, and vendors; coordinating, collaborating and facilitating meetings; defining organizational structure; and serving as the representative of the Department in meetings involving regional projects, policies or procedures.
• Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with regulatory agencies, municipalities, boards and commissions, state, and county officials and/or various special interest groups and the public.
• Knowledge of public procurement and contracting process and best practices.

Personal Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact and courtesy, demonstrated ability to deal effectively with people in difficult or controversial situations, and experience and skill working with diverse audiences, including facilitation and outreach and engagement experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate across multiple disciplines (for example, engineering, construction, regulatory, community).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously.
• Grant writing and/or grant administration experience.

Assessment and Monitoring

• Ability to inventory municipal needs, provide direct assistance and connect the County to a "network" of public and private support and technical assistance.
• Ability to review analyses and provide substantive comments and responses.
• Experience in research, policy development and analysis and report writing.

Compensation: Annual salary is $113,235.20 - $141,564.80 ($9,436 - $11,797 / Month).

To Apply

• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to visit our website, learn more about the position and to apply online.
• Applications are only accepted online. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form, a resume, and a cover letter.
• A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
  • Deadline: This job closes on 3/21/2022 12:00 PM Pacific Time