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Sustainability Fellow

SEI
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Background

Pinole is a diverse community of approximately 20,000 residents situated in West Contra Costa County on the east side of San Francisco Bay. Pinole is defined by its natural and man-made features. The natural setting includes the Bay shoreline, open spaces, Pinole Creek and other watersheds, and a hillside topography. The physical setting is primarily defined by the transportation and circulation corridors that divide the city into zones, a cohesive “Old Town,” and other commercial and residential development in the community. The City’s vision is to be a safe, vibrant, and innovative community with small-town charm and a high quality of life.

The City is also focused on reversing and mitigating the effects of climate change. In 2010 the City of Pinole was the first community in Contra Costa County to adopt a Sustainability Element of the General Plan to help guide future land use within the City. In 2021, the Pinole City Council declared a climate emergency and directed staff to complete a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). The CAAP work kicked off in July of 2022, with a draft Plan presented to the community in April of 2024. The CAAP is anticipated to be adopted in August of 2024. The CAAP provides goals, strategies, and actions to enable the City to achieve or exceed GHG reduction goals and means of reporting and monitoring the effectiveness of the plan. It also addresses the disproportionate effect climate change has on overburdened and underserved people and communities on the frontlines of impacts and those already suffering from a range of challenges including lack of economic opportunity, racism, age, disability, and exposure to pollution. Furthermore, the CAAP has been developed to be California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Qualified, which will provide a streamlined development review process for future qualifying projects. After adoption, implementation of the CAAP will begin.

The City is concurrently updating the City’s Health and Safety Elements as well as developing a standalone Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan. The updates to the General Plan related to health, safety, and environmental justice are being prepared alongside the development of the CAAP. This presents a great opportunity for the City to take a holistic approach to evaluating issues relative to climate change including adaption and resiliency strategies. The General Plan update project is expected to occur through the summer of 2024 and involves coordination with the CAAP project.

Overview

Through the Climate Corps program, we are interested in hosting one Sustainability Fellow to support sustainability, resilience, and climate action planning in Pinole. The Sustainability Fellow will work in the Community Development Department, supporting policy/program development and community engagement related to climate action and resilience, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, carbon neutrality, and equity. This is a great opportunity for individuals with strong communication, project management, and analytical skills who want to do some innovative work with passionate staff and community members to make a real difference! You will engage with our residents, businesses, and city employees from across the organization. There is the potential for the Fellowship to be extended by two months, to support a 12-month placement through August 2025.

Position Requirements/Skills

This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as a part of a team. The ideal Fellow will be detail-oriented, creative, analytical, energetic, committed, and passionate about sustainability. They have one year of relevant professional work/study experience, strong written and verbal communication skills, a demonstrated ability to manage a variety of projects/tasks at one time, and will be able to attend occasional evening meetings. An understanding of how municipal government operates is a plus. Fellows who have familiarity with website content development and publishing, experience conducting social media campaigns, and/or have an eye for graphic design are highly desired. We are seeking a Fellow who has an aptitude for developing and managing new, trusted relationships with a range of individuals and organizations.

Responsibilities

Including, but not limited to, as they align with Fellow’s skills/strengths, and as prioritized by the City:

  • Support the Department in implementing the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. It is expected that the first major initiative will be to support electrification work in the City. Other tasks may include grant-making, project management, reporting metrics, community engagement, social media development, and e-newsletter management.
  • Continue ongoing work to engage the resident and business community regarding regulations developed related to the reduction of single-use plastics. Tasks may include community education, technical assistance, project management, and the development of a variety of communication materials.
  • Research, apply for, and secure grant opportunities that would support CAAP implementation.
  • Assist staff with conducting feasibility assessments and community demand/behavior modeling for electric vehicle charging in Pinole.
  • Develop and implement community engagement campaigns targeted at residents, businesses, and city employees, focused on encouraging behavior change to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change (candidate topics include multi-modal transportation, single-use plastics, energy use, and composting).
  • Research and present options for a framework for considering a City-wide e-bike or e-scooter program.
  • Develop communication materials and/or social media campaigns (including videos) for the public regarding city initiatives related to sustainability and climate action in addition to sharing information about existing programs and incentives that support GHG emissions reductions.
  • With the City Manager’s office, support Pinole Earth Month events in 2025 with an emphasis on activities related to climate action education, acts of service, and supporting a sustainable economy.

Education/Experience

Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Urban Planning, or a related field and one (1) year of relevant professional work/study experience. Candidates who are completing, or who have completed, a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies/Sustainability/Science or a related field are desired.

We encourage anyone who is interested in this position and who meets some of the qualifications to apply, even if they do not meet all of them. We recognize that a unique perspective and background can enhance a role when many, if not all, of the listed qualifications are met.

Location

The Community Development team (Community Development Director, two Permit Technicians, one Building Official, one Building Inspector, one Code Enforcement Officer, one Planning Manager, and one part-time Senior Planner) currently fully works in person in the office. A workstation in the office will be provided for the Fellow; the ideal schedule would work at least 3 days in-person in the office, with the balance of the workweek from home if desired.

**If you would need to relocate for this position, please note that you need to be in the state you are relocating to no less than 10 business days before the start of the fellowship.**

Professional Development Opportunities

The position will provide significant opportunities to develop professionally, including:

  • Managing projects, including setting goals, identifying stakeholders and audiences, developing work products on time, and evaluating the achievement of goals
  • Developing grant applications, setting budgets, and securing funding to support sustainability work
  • Developing compelling written communications for email, web, and print
  • Designing strategies to gain input from stakeholders on a proposed policy
  • Synthesizing technical information into a format for a general audience
  • Customizing communications messages and delivery to best engage and influence your audience
  • Building relationships with internal City partners in the County
  • Applying behavior change best practices to encourage climate-friendly choices; and
  • Working independently towards goals and outcomes that are developed as a team.

Benefits

  • End-of-program financial award.
  • Healthcare coverage with 100% of healthcare insurance premiums covered by the employer.
  • Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services.
  • Professional and Personal Development Training
  • ​Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
  • Attending panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals.
  • Professional networking opportunities.

About Climate Corps

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship program that provides professional development opportunities for emerging leaders through the implementation of sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To see a full list of climate, energy, and sustainability positions posted by Climate Corps, please visit here: https://jobs.climatecorps.org/listings. We are constantly adding positions, so make sure to frequently check this site to see if there are new opportunities available.

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html