Climate Resilience Planning and Engagement Specialist - City of Philadelphia

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Sustainability (OOS) is an office within Mayor Parker’s Administration and reports to the Chief Deputy Mayor of Intergovernmental Affairs, Sustainability, and Engagement. OOS works with partners around the city to improve quality of life in all of Philadelphia neighborhoods through addressing environmental justice, reducing the city’s carbon emissions, and preparing Philadelphia for a hotter and wetter future. 

• Our Office of Climate Resilience addresses the impacts of climate change on Philadelphia by assessing and communicating climate risk and developing plans, programs, and policies that build resilience, protect residents, advance environmental justice, and improve quality of life. This position would be a part of this team.
• Our Environmental Justice team advances environmental justice through education, policy advising, directly resourcing frontline communities, and supporting the resident-led Environmental Justice Advisory Commission.
• Our Climate Solutions team advances Philadelphia’s citywide equitable clean energy transition to meet climate goals through building energy benchmarking and performance policies and is developing an energy poverty alleviation strategy through Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities.
• Our Municipal Energy Office reduces the City’s carbon footprint through strategic management of its energy portfolio by reducing energy use, using smart procurement, and increasing the use of renewable sources.
• Our Policy and Strategic Initiatives team provides program support to all teams with the office to develop policies, conduct research, and advance critical initiatives related to communication and strategic planning.

More information about the functions of OOS can be found at: Office of Sustainability | Homepage | City of Philadelphia.

The Climate Resilience Planning and Engagement Specialist will play a critical role in helping Philadelphia prepare for climate change. The Office of Sustainability released the City’s first resilience plan (Growing Stronger: Towards a Climate-Ready Philadelphia) in 2015 and is in the process of updating and expanding this plan. This position will lead a citywide equitable engagement process over a two-year period which will inform the update to the Resilience Plan and other climate adaptation initiatives for years to come.  

The Climate Resilience Planning and Engagement Specialist will manage several large contracts and work with consultants to engage a diverse group of stakeholders across the city using a variety of strategies and channels. They will work with a team of consultants to launch and manage a community steering committee; develop and manage a climate resilience ambassador program that leverages partnerships and builds capacity of community-based organizations; conduct a citywide survey; conduct public engagement opportunities across the City; and support activities, such as community build days, in frontline communities.

In this role, the Climate Resilience Planning and Engagement Specialist will foster collaboration, increase awareness, and promote actions that enhance the resilience of Philadelphia to climate-related impacts. They will report directly to the City’s Chief Resilience Officer and work on a team with five other staff in the Office of Climate Resilience in the Office of Sustainability. This is a two-year grant funded position.

Essential Functions

• Support management of several large consultant contracts
• Work with consultants and Office of Climate Resilience staff to:
  • Manage and act as a liaison to a Community Steering Committee and a Youth Climate Council;
  • Develop and launch Climate Resilience Ambassador program;
  • Lead a citywide public engagement process that involves in-person and digital engagement;
  • Conduct engagement activities (e.g., workshops or build days) in up to five frontline communities;
  • Facilitate stakeholder engagement with municipal staff and sector leaders;
  • Work with partners to run an art and poetry competition;
  • Maintain relationships with community partners and organizations;
  • Develop, draft, iterate, and finalize the Climate Resilience Plan;
  • Monitor and track metrics and goals consistent with commitments made to the funder; and
  • Develop project updates and reports for funders and partner agencies.

Required:

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, environmental science, sustainability or other relevant degree, and at least five years of full-time professional level experience working in a relevant field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable.
• Thorough understanding of climate science and resilience planning principles.
• Demonstrated public engagement and facilitation experience.
• Experience with contract management and project management.

Preferred:

• Professional experience with community development and advocacy.
• Professional experience with flood mitigation, stormwater management, heat mitigation, or emergency management.
• Relevant graduate-level degree.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required:

• Familiarity with climate justice, environmental justice, and racial equity issues in Philadelphia.
• Must be able to discuss race, class, gender, and other issues of power and identity with ease and comfort.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience and comfort with public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship management.
• Must be able to work some evening and weekend hours, as required.
• Project management experience, able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Familiarity and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work independently.

Preferred

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin or French.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Familiarity with Philadelphia (e.g., lived or worked in the city).
• Experience working with GIS.
• Experience working with and analyzing data.
• Graphic design experience.
• Community organizing.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx