Brief Job Description:

The City of Boston is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and is working to improve the environmental quality of the City through a range of Green New Deal initiatives. Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) is a vision for tackling the climate crisis in Boston — with policies that address economic, social, and racial inequities while advancing health, livability, and justice throughout our neighborhoods for all Boston residents. The creation of this position represents the City’s prioritization of high-impact, full life-cycle strategies for minimizing the environmental impact of materials consumption in Boston. 

The 2019 Zero Waste Plan set preliminary targets and implementation goals for reducing the reusable, recyclable, and compostable materials entering the waste stream. Significant opportunities remain for reducing and redirecting the 78% of discarded materials generated annually by the non-residential sectors. 

The Circular Economy Senior Policy/ Program Manager (Senior Manager) will work within the Environment Department and across other City departments as well as with businesses, institutions, and state government agencies to administer programs, identify obstacles, facilitate solutions, and implement policies and programs that will lead to short term and long term materials reuse and waste reduction. Candidates should have a passion for waste reduction and reuse, have experience working on circular economy projects, and bring energy and creativity to their work on rethinking waste and materials systems in Boston. 

The work of the Senior Manager will support the Mayor’s goals of carbon neutrality and a healthy environment by reducing embodied and operational emissions, minimizing the extraction of raw materials, and improving economic and environmental justice in communities along the entire supply chain of materials. The Coordinator will address these priorities through policies and programs that have a measurable impact on materials waste and reuse with additional environmental benefits such as shorter distances to transport supplies or waste and the shift from resource disposal, which improves air and water quality, reduces the need for landfilling and incineration, and support the local economy.

The Circular Economy Senior Policy Program Manager will report to the Director of Environmental Quality in the Environment Department.

• Provide technical support and assistance to businesses and institutions working on circular economy strategies.
• Lead local deconstruction initiatives in collaboration with state agencies.
• Develop and update circular economy policies at the city level and advise on advocacy for state and federal policy.
• Design and deliver circularity performance metrics, targets, and strategies.
• Coordinate programs that convert reliance on single-use to reusable items in venues, restaurants, and events.
• Develop consumer education materials, programs, and other resources to promote repair and reuse in partnership with the Zero Waste Team at Public Works.
• Convene stakeholders across circular economy initiatives.
• Supervise staff and/or fellows working on zero-waste projects in the department.
• Represent Boston at local, regional, and national conferences and in networks working on strategies for waste and carbon reduction, such as C40, Reloop, and PR3.
• Performs related work as required.

• At least five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, work experience in circular economy policy or projects is required. Specialized expertise in building deconstruction, reusable materials, sustainable consumption, and/or other job duties similar to those described is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred and may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications and Google Suite to manage budgets and analyze data.

• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement waste diversion programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• Shares the City of Boston’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
• Highly organized, with the ability to simultaneously handle many tasks, organize complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Experience with contract management preferred.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, and Vietnamese).
• Energy, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-9/Full-time

Hours per week: 35