Climate Policy Advisor

Job Description and Duties

Under the direct supervision of the Climate Policy Supervisor, the Air Pollution Specialist (APS) will provide support for California's climate change efforts and assist in implementing existing and new climate change-related policies, programs, and partnerships.The APS will use technical, policy, written, and verbal communication skills to support climate change mitigation and adaptation policy development and implementation across Executive Branch agencies and departments.

The Climate Change Unit of the Office of the Secretary, CalEPA, serves as lead staff to the Secretary and administers all climate change-related duties and functions for the Executive Branch of State Government. The Deputy Secretary for Climate Policy, Climate Policy Supervisor, and staff advise the Secretary and the Administration on major policy matters involving climate change and intergovernmental relations. The section is directly responsible for day-to-day management and coordination of the Climate Action Team, a multi-agency policy-level team formed pursuant to Executive Order S-3-05. Section staff support the Climate Action Team in developing, evaluating, and implementing climate change emission reduction strategies required under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

The APS will organize, coordinate, and oversee the climate change reduction activities with other state agencies including the Climate Action Team members, regional and multi-state partners, and other states, subnational governments, and countries. The APS will apply scientific, engineering, and economic methods and principles to analyze and evaluate information pertaining to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The APS will collect, analyze, and evaluate data to ensure consistency among interagency analyses and communicate results of analyses clearly and accurately to management and impacted stakeholders both verbally and in writing. The APS will coordinate interagency efforts to address climate impacts, burdens, and resiliency of vulnerable California communities.

This position is eligible for telework one day per week.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is headquartered in Sacramento, CA. The incumbent will be required to report to the assigned headquarter in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy.

CalEPA positions may be eligible for hybrid telework schedules with in-person attendance based on operational needs under Government Code 14200 for applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA Telework Policy and/or future program requirements. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the designated headquarter location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement. 

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay. Please note additional conditions below:

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being in a stationary position, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (for example, artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc).
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.

Special Requirements

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Candidates whose applications do not include the required SOQ will not be considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

• Require Name on SOQ 
• Require Job Control Number on SOQ 
• Maximum number of pages: 2 (single spaced, with one-inch margins, and font size 12) 

1. Describe your interest in the position.
2. Describe your experience working on and/or knowledge of the State's climate programs and policies. Provide specific examples.
3. Describe your experience collaborating and interacting with public and private sector representatives, international governments, the Legislature, Governor's Office, and/or state, federal, and local agencies. Provide specific examples.
4. Describe any additional education, training, experience, and skills that enable you to perform the duties listed in the Duty Statement.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

The successful candidate will be a dynamic team player and will have strong technical skills, good  communication skills, and knowledge of climate change issues. Strong writing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills are highly desired. The ability to understand technical issues pertaining to climate change emission reduction technologies and market-based programs, critically evaluate data, and work effectively with staff and high-level representatives from CalEPA agencies, agencies outside CalEPA, intergovernmental partners, and other stakeholders is important. Competitive candidates must be highly motivated, self starting, enthusiastic, demonstrate initiative, and have the ability to work on multiple projects and issues concurrently. The position requires the candidate have the ability to assimilate large amounts of information and present it clearly and concisely in oral briefings, public meetings, memorandums, briefing papers, and reports. Applicants will be screened and only the most qualified candidates will be interviewed.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Gym
• Daycare facility (third-party)
• Convenient to public transportation 
• Nearby (third-party) parking 

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.