Sustainability Administrator

Description

The Environmental Services Division in the Department of Public Works is seeking an experienced full-time Sustainability Administrator to organize, develop, and coordinate the City's Climate Action Plan and environmental sustainability program. The position serves as the lead for identifying, designing, and tracking strategies, programs, and projects related to climate resilience and environmental sustainability across City departments and divisions.

The successful candidate will have proven skills in the development and implementation of the general sustainability programming; experience in municipal sustainability operations preferred. We are looking for an action-oriented individual with a strong deadline-driven results and deliverables focus, who has the demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, to coordinate initiatives across departments, manage stakeholder expectations, and cultivate effective working relationships within the organization and with external partners and stakeholders.

Starting salary for this position is negotiable within the target hiring range ($77,000 to $85,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, health and wellness programs, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.

Job Functions

What you will do with us:

• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate, and administer the City's public-facing and internal climate action plan and sustainability program; promote urban sustainability and assist in improving environmental performance and reducing operational impacts.

• Lead and coordinate complex projects; track and report on progress towards the achievement of sustainability goals and environmental stewardship.

• Maintain compliance with City-wide ordinances and policies, as well as with applicable federal and state environmental laws, rules, and permits.

• Work with cross-departmental teams to improve and maintain clean water policies, clean energy policies, electric vehicle infrastructure, and waste management solutions.

• Coordinate the actions and processes of monitoring, evaluating, reporting, and revising the City's Climate Action Plan.

• Provide technical and programmatic support to teams across departments and divisions; work with City leadership to incorporate sustainability and climate action planning into decision-making processes.

• Develop and implement effective and innovative environmental policies, programs, and program modifications.

• Evaluate proposed environmental programs and measures to determine the most cost-effective strategies to achieve defined program goals.

• Monitor, evaluate, and prepare reports on City environmental initiatives, projects, performance, expenditures, and accomplishments, including annual reporting requirements for the City's Sustainable Maryland Certified certification.

• Prepare requests for proposals (RFPs), review responsible contract proposal submissions, and oversee contract work; provide project management and coordination as appropriate on various projects.

• Prepare the municipal greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions inventory; promote the City's green building ordinance, the City Green Energy program, and other associated programs.

• Act as liaison to the City's Environmental Affairs Committee and other regional committees.

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the full classification description for the Sustainability Administrator position. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for a position in Grade 110 in the City's FY 2024 Schedule of Salary Ranges.

Qualifications

What you will need to be considered:

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Law, Public Administration, Public Policy, or closely related field.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in environmental or sustainability programs within a public sector agency or program; municipal government and sustainability program experience preferred.

• Must have or obtain within 12 months of employment at least one of the following: International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) Sustainability Associate or Certified Sustainability Professional certification; Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate; or LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), or similar sustainability-related designation/certification.

• Valid driver's license and safe driving record.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of sustainable development and environmental management, including energy efficiency, alternative energy generation, green building design, green purchasing, and social behavior change.

• Knowledge of current models and programs for urban sustainability, including federal and state policies and measurement/monitoring of sustainability, and knowledge and understanding of climate change science, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and mitigation approaches.

• Excellent organizational, presentation, analytical, problem-solving, customer service, and written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate effective working relationships within the organization and with external partners and stakeholders.

• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Additional Information

Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:

• A complete online application

• Current resume (attached to the online application)

• Letter of interest (attached to the online application); include why you are interested in this position and highlight the special skills/abilities that make you uniquely qualified to serve in this position

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.

This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). Some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required to meet operational needs. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

For more information about the position, please contact Environmental Services Division Chief Nancy Schumm at Nancy.Schumm@gaithersburgmd.gov or 240-805-1327. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at hr@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301-258-6327.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.

The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier

• Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)

• Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

• CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan

• Prescription Drug Plan

• Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

• Sun Life Indemnity Plan

• Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings

• Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

• National Vision Administrators

• Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

• Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
• 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employee's annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
• 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employee's annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
• 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
• 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

• Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
• Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
• Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
• Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Long-Term Care Insurance (employer paid for base plan coverage); buy-up and spouse coverage available (employee paid)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans

• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

• Long-Term Disability & Workers' Compensation Insurance

• Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)

• Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)

• Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)

• Healthy Lifestyle Incentives

• Employee Assistance Program

• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance

• Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs

• Credit Union

• Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts

• Direct Deposit (required)

Click on the link below to view general information about the benefits available.

Summary of Employee Benefits (pdf)

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How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?

• City of Gaithersburg Website

• Job Interest Card Notification

• Indeed

• GovernmentJobs.com

• Other Website

• Social Media

• Friend or Relative

• I am a current City employee

• Other

Required Question

Agency City of Gaithersburg

Address 31 South Summit Avenue

Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877

Phone 301-258-6327

Website http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/job-opportunities