Climate Resilience Officer

Jersey City, City of•Jersey City, NJ

About The Position

The Climate Resilience Officer is a full-time, exempt management position in the Sustainability Division of the Department of Infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Sustainability, the officer organizes and manages Jersey City’s climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainability efforts through long-term planning and broad stakeholder involvement. The role is committed to protecting communities from further environmental harm and addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. The officer assesses climate change impacts, develops and coordinates local strategies, monitors progress, represents the municipality to stakeholders, and prepares proposals, reports, and project plans. The position also manages program budgets, grants, and contracts; advises municipal officials and staff; and may take on supervisory responsibilities as needed. Frequent travel to convene with stakeholders is required. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and preferably 5–10 years of experience, including two years of supervisory experience. A master’s degree or higher may substitute for 1–2 years of experience. Candidates must eventually pass and qualify for the applicable Civil Service title and are subject to NJ First Act residency requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, sustainability, engineering, urban planning, public policy, natural resources management, or a related field.
Preferred minimum of 5–10 years of experience, including two years of supervisory experience; 1–2 years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree or higher.
Expertise in issues, best practices, methods, and strategies addressing local climate change impacts, sustainability, adaptation, resilience, and equity.
Ability to understand data and communicate findings verbally and in writing to a wide variety of stakeholder groups.
Ability to develop partnerships across competing interests and advise on ideas from conception through implementation.
Understanding of budget procedures and ability to secure and manage grant funding.
Familiarity with cost-benefit analyses and program evaluation.
Experience conducting public meetings and engaging government, private-sector, and community stakeholders.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental and financial regulations.
Computer skills in Microsoft Office and data management.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, community organizations, municipal officials, other levels of government, and the general public.
Flexibility and willingness to take on varied tasks to meet municipal priorities.
Ability to engage with the community, work effectively as part of a team, and organize and summarize data and other information.
Must eventually pass and qualify for the applicable Civil Service title.
Subject to residency requirements set forth by NJ First Act.

Responsibilities

Assess local economic, environmental, and social impacts of climate change.
Develop local climate resilience strategies through research, stakeholder convening, and project, policy, and procedural recommendations.
Manage and coordinate implementation of local climate resilience and sustainability strategies.
Track project progress and create and report metrics.
Ensure plans and implementation account for existing environmental harm and the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations.
Represent the municipality to stakeholders, communicate climate resilience and sustainability actions, and foster partnerships.
Prepare proposals, reports, and project plans.
Travel frequently to convene with stakeholders.
As needed, assign work, provide supervisory support, conduct performance appraisals, and conduct hiring when applicable.
Manage program budgets, grants, and contracts to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
Report and provide guidance to municipal officials and staff on climate adaptation and resilience budget items, contracts, policy changes, and department operations.