Climate Specialist

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, resiliency, environmental engineering, environmental science, natural sciences, or related field, and one- three years of professional experience in the climate field, resiliency, climate planning, sustainability; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.  Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is highly responsible professional and technical work in the Environmental Protection Departments.

An employee assigned to this classification oversees complex strategic planning, data collection and research related to climate issues; prepares reports; assists senior professional staff in conceptualizing, formulating, and implementing the County's Climate Initiatives, and other county policies and procedures; developing and conducting research, data collection, and long-term planning projects; supervising climate project teams, presenting climate data and recommendations to management. Performs and/or understands complex climate trend analysis and mitigation and adaptation strategies, which culminate in comprehensive reports and presentations, as required.

Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and the observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
 
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Coordinates and conducts extensive background research, surveys, and interviews and prepares reports on such areas as community resiliency, economics, the environment, sustainability, equity and social issues, and other similar climate related concerns.

Conducts field investigations and interviews and community surveys.

Makes presentations to other members of the Department, Administration, and to elected and appointed officials and citizens dealing with factual information and predetermined and proposed policy recommendations.

Oversees the County’s climate data, dashboards, and websites. 

Coordinates multi-departmental and agency research teams and/or technical teams and employees. Manages the Citizen Climate Advisory Committees and/or other similar committees.

Confers with the public on matters concerning climate related activities, strategies and planning, both in individual and group settings, including making formal presentations to groups of citizens and stakeholders.

Compiles data, inventory, and tracking of the county's climate information.

Researches applicable federal, state, and local climate policies, grants, and funding opportunities.

Hires and supervises, as required, the work of intern positions.

Prepares grant applications for local program funding.

Operates, as required, motor vehicles (including departmental motor vehicles) in order to meet with municipalities, stakeholders, citizen groups, non-profits, and other agencies.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and methods of comprehensive planning and plan implementation. This may include contemporary principles, practices, and methods in the following disciplines: land use planning, site design, public policy analysis, economic and demographic analysis, conservation ecology/biology, ecosystem dynamics, wildlife ecology/biology, population dynamics, botany, geography, geology, soil science, hydrology, water chemistry, and transportation modeling/engineering.

Knowledge of climate mitigation and adaptation principles.

Knowledge of climate dashboards and similar web-based applications. 

Knowledge of economics, equity, geography, sociology and environmental science as applied to climate issues.

Skill in the operation of motor vehicles.

Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of teams and other employees.

Ability to carry out complex planning studies and to take a significant role in the preparation and maintenance of climate initiatives and strategies.

Ability to analyze information and to formulate substantive policy recommendations based upon such studies.

Ability to express ideas and findings clearly and concisely, utilizing oral, written, and graphic techniques.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other employees, outside agencies, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to reach occasionally required to be mobile.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of computer monitors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to low.

Supplemental Information

Desired Certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Globes.
Related field: Geography, Sociology, Biology, and Environmental Law.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$73,632.00 Annually