Environmental Conservation Program Manager (Austin Climate Action & Resilience)

Environmental Conservation Program Manager

Austin Climate Action & Resilience is hiring an Environmental Conservation Program Manager to join its Climate Team, which leads Citywide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate climate action. Applicants will join a motivated, nimble team of professionals focused on making progress towards ambitious climate goals. This critical role will lead high-impact projects to advance the City's climate goals, strengthen cross-departmental coordination, and move our work from planning to implementation. We are seeking a collaborative, relational, and self-directed climate professional with strong technical expertise, project management skills, and a commitment to delivering meaningful climate outcomes for Austin.

Job Description:

Under minimal supervision, plan and direct environmental and/or conservation program strategies to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Develop, and implement program policies, procedures, and systems to maintain and enhance the organizations adherence and responsiveness to environmental and conservation issues.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

• Negotiates regulatory compliance issues with State and Federal environmental agencies.
• Manages and review programs/projects.
• Administers programs.
• Markets programs.
• Develops, monitors, and evaluates program and resource budgets.
• Develops, manages, and administers contracts.
• Develops training for internal and external customers.
• Develops and maintains program policies and standard operating procedures.
• Develops, reviews, interprets, and rewrites ordinances, codes, and regulations.
• Performs public relations functions.
• Participates in short- and long-range planning activities.
• Develops and manage quality control initiatives.
• Develops and conduct audits.
• Assists with evaluating bid proposals.
• Performs supervisory duties i.e., hiring, promoting, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, etc.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• As required in a related area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading collaborative processes with cross-functional teams from various City departments, organizations, business entities, and/or community members
• Experience managing, interpreting, organizing, prioritizing, and executing complex assignments, projects and programs
• Experience presenting to executive leadership and/or the public
• Ability to travel to more than one work locations

Notes to Candidate:

Austin Climate Action & Resilience is on a mission to protect and improve Austin's quality of life now and for future generations by leading efforts to achieve:

• Net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions
• A healthy and just local food system
• A thriving urban forest
• A climate adaptive city

Our vision is for Austin to be a thriving, equitable, and resilient community.

Primary duties in this role include:

• Lead high-impact projects and programs that advance the Austin Climate Equity Plan and the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program.
• Manage projects and priority climate initiatives, ensuring projects remain on track, on time, and aligned with best practices.
• Provide clear technical guidance, analysis, and strategic recommendations to colleagues, Boards & Commissions, executive leadership, and City Council on climate change, emissions reductions, and implementation strategies.
• Build effective working relationships with internal departments, external partners, and community stakeholders to support coordinated implementation.
• Identify barriers or roadblocks to progress, assess options, and provide timely recommendations to maintain momentum.
• Develop and propose creative solutions to complex climate issues.

Strong candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of source of greenhouse gas emissions
• Knowledge of climate change sources and impacts
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and knowledge of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving
• Ability to understand and explain trends, processes, and procedures
• Ability to manage multiple complex cross-departmental programs and projects
• Ability to thrive on a small team and work independently as well as with other City of Austin departments

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A résumé is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.

Location and Hours:

505 Barton Springs Road

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Hours will vary depending on operational needs. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Assessment:

An assessment may be a part of the interview process.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• And are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD- 214 prior to confirming a start date.

Benefits: Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click Here.

Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Compensation:

$80,490.00 - $102,200.00 annually

Important Note to Applicants:

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system

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