Climate Change Planner Position
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Organization
The Delaware Division of Energy and Climate is seeking a highly
motivated individual to support programs administrated through the Climate and
Sustainability Section. The position
will support efforts to implement state climate policy initiatives to reduce
greenhouse gases (GHGs) and adapt to the changing climate. This one-year position will work
approximately 28 hours a week and be located in the Delaware Division of Energy
and Climate in Dover, DE.
The Delaware Division of Energy and Climate is a fast-paced,
innovative office, committed to delivering energy efficiency and conservation
programs to the State of Delaware, as well as supporting environmental
planning, sustainable building design and developing climate change policies to
reduce emissions and protect Delaware’s communities and critical resources from
the impacts of climate change.
The incumbent will serve as support staff in the Division of
Energy and Climate. The applicant should have academic or work experience in climate
change, public policy, outreach and education, policy research, coordination of
diverse stakeholders, organizing and managing multiple workgroups, and/or program/project
management. Applicants with undergraduate and/or graduate degrees are
encouraged to apply. Preference will be
given to applicants with both work experience and a graduate degree.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will support senior staff to coordinate and
plan for multiple workgroups and meetings that will focus implementing the
State’s executive branch climate policies, specifically a recently signed
climate change executive order.
Responsibilities will also include research of successful climate
mitigation and adaptation measures and policies, implementation models, and
quantification methods for reducing GHGs.
Additional responsibilities may be added to the portfolio based on the
Climate and Sustainability Section priorities. General responsibilities include:
·
Research data, policies, and issues on existing in-state
and out-of-state programs to inform development of recommendations and state
plans.
·
Analyze science and develop presentation for a
non-science audience.
·
Draft agendas, take meeting minutes and develop presentations
and reports on programs and policies.
·
Evaluate viable approaches to climate mitigation
and adaptation programs and policies.
·
Recommend course of action for programs and
policies to meet objectives.
·
Educate diverse groups of stakeholders including
special interest groups, customers, and public officials by developing outreach
materials.
·
Coordinate activities across multiple levels of state,
county and local government.
·
Participate in internal and external meetings with
a diverse range of audiences.
The incumbent will represent the Climate and Sustainability
Section in meetings and at events. They will also serve as a liaison for our
programs throughout the State. Other responsibilities may include development
of websites, developing directories of programs and contacts, as well as other
projects.
Governor Markell’s Executive Order 41
Governor
Jack Markell signed an executive order creating a Governor’s Committee on
Climate and Resiliency to oversee development of an implementation plan to
maintain and build upon Delaware’s leadership in responsibly reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and develop agency-specific actionable recommendations
for improving Delaware’s preparedness and resiliency to climate impacts.
Executive Order 41
targets three goals:
1.
It calls for continuing Delaware’s national
leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ways that strengthen our
economy.
2.
It requires that state agencies develop
strategies to improve the resiliency of state operations and facilities with a
focus on using natural systems and green infrastructure; share best practices
with local governments; and reach out to residents and businesses about risks
and adaptation strategies.
3.
It requires that all state agencies incorporate
measures for adapting to increased flood heights and sea level rise in the
siting and design of state-funded projects; we will be building for the future,
instead of building to the past. (note: this was a recommendation of both
the DE Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee and the Floodplain and Drainage
Advisory Committee).
The responsibilities
of the Governor’s Committee on Climate and Resiliency include the
following:
·
No later than December 31, 2014, reporting to
the Governor on completion of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
That plan must ensure that greenhouse gas reduction efforts have a positive
effect on Delaware’s economy, including:
§
Securing cleaner, cheaper, more reliable energy;
§
Improving public health outcomes;
§
Increasing employment;
§
Strengthening manufacturing; and
§
Enhancing overall competitiveness.
·
No later than December 31, 2014, reporting to
the Governor on agency-specific, actionable recommendations to improve
preparedness and resiliency to climate impacts on public health/safety,
infrastructure, natural ecosystems, agriculture, tourism, and other industries,
including:
§
Actions state agencies can take to prepare for
more extreme storms and projected temperature and precipitation variations;
§
Actions local governments can take “to improve
community resiliency,” including (1) assessing vulnerabilities in
infrastructure; (2) land use policies; and (3) other strategies that can be
integrated into Comprehensive Land Use Plans; and
§
Outreach strategies.
The Order would require all State Agencies to incorporate measures for
adapting to increased flood heights and sea level rise in the siting and design
of projects for construction of new structures and reconstruction of
substantially damaged structures and infrastructure.
Qualifications
The applicant
will have the following experience and attributes:
·
Possession of an undergraduate and/or graduate degree
in climate policy, natural resources, law, public policy, environmental
studies, environment or energy policy, economics or related field is preferred.
·
Work experience in a professional job is
preferred.
·
Ability to work effectively in collaboration
with diverse groups of stakeholders including but not limited to: appointed
public officials, state employees in multiple departments, citizens, private
industry, academics, technical experts and others.
·
Strong written and verbal communication skills;
a strong writer with excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.
·
Preferred training in climate change policy.
·
Demonstrated ability to be organized,
detail-oriented, independent worker, and reliable.
·
Excellent time management skills and the ability
to work on multiple projects with varying deadlines.
·
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft
Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.)
·
Dedication to environmental causes, specifically
those related to climate change.
Compensation
28 hours/week
are available for up to one year. Salary
based on experience and ranges from $13 - $20/hour. The applicant will be housed
in the Division of Energy and Climate located in Dover, DE. The State of Delaware is an equal opportunity
employer.
To Apply:
To be considered for the position, please submit a resume
and cover letter to Holly.layton@state.de.us
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