Director of Climate Policy & Planning - City of Boston

Brief Job Description:

As part of Mayor Wu’s vision for a Green New Deal for Boston, the City of Boston is seeking a Director of Climate Policy and Planning. As Boston rapidly moves to large-scale implementation of climate action, the City requires a senior expert in policy, planning, and law to implement the next generation of Boston’s climate agenda. The Director of Climate Policy and Planning serves as the Senior Member of the Environment Department charged with driving the climate agenda through regulatory strategy, long-range planning, and intergovernmental coordination.

Serving as the Environment Department’s lead on climate policy, the Director will carry out and/or oversee four key functions: climate policy development and engagement with state and Federal policymakers and regulators; long-range climate planning and performance management; delivery of a portfolio of high-priority climate and sustainability special projects; and Department-wide guidance and support on legislative and policy strategy. Working closely with the Environment Commissioner and Chief Climate Officer, the Director will lead the development of Boston’s legislative and policy agenda in support of the City’s long-term carbon neutrality goals, as well as near-term targets that will be completed in the 2025 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, and lead engagement with state and Federal agencies to achieve these goals and targets. The Director will oversee the coordination of the interdepartmental CAP update, supported by direct-reporting staff as well as other Environment Department staff and consultants; the Director will oversee subsequent planning process and progress tracking. In order to advance policy and planning goals, the Director will also be responsible for a portfolio of strategic initiatives and programs to accelerate emissions reduction and ensure the City of Boston becomes carbon neutral with a focus on climate justice. The Director is a leader in energy, GHG mitigation, and environmental policy for the City and advises the Department, Chief Climate Officer, Climate Council, all agencies in the City, and stakeholders on legislation, policy, and regulation that affect and advance City goals.

The Director of Climate Policy and Planning reports to the Commissioner of the Environment Department and supervises the Climate Policy Program Manager. The Director will work closely with the Chief Climate Officer and the City’s Intergovernmental Relations on legislative affairs and policy. The Director interacts with all segments of Boston’s municipal government and the Boston community. The Director will be part of the Environment Department Senior Staff, who will work closely with other members of the management team and has important administrative responsibilities.

• Leads the development of Boston's climate policies in support of the Mayor's goals of a Green New Deal for Boston and a healthy environment.
• Tracks and stays current with important policy and regulatory developments and conveys them in practical terms to Boston stakeholders; develops and oversees the Environment Department's policy and legislation tracking and commenting system.
• Partners with the Intergovernmental Relations to grow and manage Boston's activities and partnerships at the local, state, and Federal policy levels; serves as the City's external point person on climate and environmental policy.  
• Advises the Commissioner of the Environment, the Chief Climate Officer, and the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on environmental, climate, and sustainability policy and legislation; leads development of the City's legislative agenda on these topics.
• Leads and oversees climate planning and is responsible for tracking interdepartmental progress on climate targets.
• Serves as the Environment Department's in-house expert and resource on legislative and policy strategy, supporting all aspects of the Department's programs as needed.
• Engages other municipal offices and external stakeholders in all areas of responsibility.
• Builds relationships and partnerships with non-profit organizations, local academic and cultural institutions, and international institutions.
• Engages with neighboring municipalities and state and federal partners on key legislative priorities.
• Manages the work of the Climate Policy Project Manager; aligns project portfolio and workload of the Manager to advance planning and policy responsibilities as needed.
• Oversees contracts and grants. 
• Establishes and manages partnerships and strategic alliances with key local and regional government stakeholders across diverse sectors, professional disciplines, and communities.
• Advises City departments and staff on initiatives to make the City of Boston a sustainable workplace.
• Inspire, influence, and enable the community's contribution to the development and implementation of Boston's climate strategies.
• Performs related work as required.

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of full time, or equivalent part-time, experience with climate, environmental, or sustainability law or policy, with at least three (3) years of management experience required. Additional experience preferred.
• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Substitutions: A J.D. is strongly preferred and may be substituted for four (4) years of experience; a master's degree in environmental law or policy or a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. 
• Demonstrated expertise in Federal and State air quality, conservation, transportation, building, climate, and energy laws and policies.
• Experience in developing ordinances and regulations is strongly preferred.
• Experience in developing or working closely on climate and environmental legislation at the state level is strongly preferred.  
• Demonstrate understanding of and experience in Massachusetts legislative, policymaking, and planning context is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and an understanding of challenges facing immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-and moderate-income families in the context of global climate change and its local effects.
• Shares the City of Boston's commitment to increasing racial diversity within the City's workforce, integrating racial justice and equity into Boston's climate and environmental plans and programs, and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to public leadership on environmental justice and commitment to city leadership on climate and equity.
• Demonstrated experience tackling complex problems with creative, effective solutions in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing staff and complex projects with discrete deliverables.
• Highly organized, with the ability to simultaneously handle many tasks, organize complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write about and present complex policies, research, and ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully within a team and share credit for high-impact work.
• Willingness to practice accessible, responsive, community-engaged leadership for residents of the City of Boston.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to integrity and inclusivity in the workplace.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse interests and backgrounds.
• Energy, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/SalaryPlan/Grade: Non-Union/MO-14/ Full-time

Hours Per Week:35