Brief Job Description:

As part of the Mayor's vision for a Green New Deal for Boston, the City of Boston is seeking a Director of Climate Resilience and Adaptation. The Director will lead development and implementation of strategic initiatives and programs to prepare for the impacts of climate change and build a resilient future, including preparing Boston for rising sea levels, increased precipitation, and more frequent and intense heat waves associated with climate change. The Director is a leader in resiliency policy and programs for the City and in the engagement of other municipal offices as well as stakeholders in all segments of the Boston community in the development and implementation of those initiatives.

The Director of Climate Resilience reports to the Commissioner of the Environment Department, and interacts with all segments of Boston’s municipal government and of the Boston community. As part of the management team of the Environment Department, they will work closely with other members of the management team and have important administrative responsibilities.

• Lead the development and implementation of Boston’s climate resilience strategies and programs in support of the Mayor’s climate resilience and adaptation goals.
• Work to integrate and institutionalize resilience strategies throughout municipal operations and planning initiatives as part of an all-of-government approach.
• Recruit, train and manage a team engaged in implementation of climate resilience and adaptation initiatives.
• Guide the development and implementation of resilience metrics, tracking, reporting methods and systems, in support of assessing progress towards the Mayor’s goals; Participate in annual reporting to CDP, C40 and other international and national organizations.
• Stay current with important scientific developments and convey them in practical terms to Boston stakeholders.
• Coordinate Boston’s climate resilience activities with related work by other municipalities, regional authorities and offices of the Commonwealth.
• Establish and manage partnerships and strategic alliances with key local and regional stakeholders and across diverse sectors, professional disciplines and communities.
• Work with partner agencies and external partners to implement resilience projects and programs across the City.
• Build strong relationships and partnerships with non-profit organizations, local academic and cultural institutions, and international institutions to forge meaningful and effective coalitions that work across sectors to institutionalize broad-based resilience strategies.
• Work with business, institutional, non-profit, neighborhood groups and residents to ensure that all parts of the Boston community, and especially the most vulnerable members of the community, have the support and resources necessary to reduce their vulnerability to the increasing risks associated with climate change.
• Identify obstacles to increased climate-preparedness activity by individuals, small and large businesses and institutions, and develop strategies to reduce those obstacles.
• Inspire, influence and enable the community's contribution to the development and implementation of Boston’s Resilience and Adaptation initiatives.
• Represent the City of Boston in local, national and global forums around climate resilience and adaptation strategies and initiatives.
• Prepare and secure grants for projects and programs.
• Regularly review the Climate Ready Boston initiative and the Climate Action Plan and identify and recommend opportunities and new strategic initiatives.
• Jointly manage updates to and implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
• Performs related work as required

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in climate adaptation and resilience, climate or environmental science or policy, urban planning, engineering, business or a related field, with at least three (3) years of management experience required. Additional experience preferred.
• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Substitutions: A master’s degree in climate or environmental science or policy, urban planning, engineering, law, or related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. Management experience may not be substituted.
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. A master’s degree in a related field is strongly preferred and may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and policies pertaining to climate adaptation and resilience.
• Experience in hazard management, infrastructure, and engineering preferred.
• Experience collaborating with state and local government and navigating state and federal regulations and grant programs preferred.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to public leadership on environmental justice and commitment to city leadership on climate and equity.
• Demonstrated experience tackling complex problems with creative, effective solutions in a fast-paced work environment.
• Highly organized, with the ability to simultaneously handle many tasks, organize complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with ability to write about and present complex policies, research, and ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully within a team and share credit for high-impact work.
• Willingness to practice accessible, responsive, community-engaged leadership for residents of City of Boston.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong commitment to integrity and inclusivity in the workplace.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse interests and backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, and Google Suite.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

Boston Residency required.

Terms:

Union/SalaryPlan/Grade: MO-14

Hours per week: 35