Climate Planning Advisor
Position Description
THE OFFICE
The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future. OSE is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our mission is to ensure a clean and healthy environment for every resident of Seattle. We prioritize those currently and historically harmed by racial, economic, and environmental injustice and serve as cross-departmental and community partners, innovators, and drivers of cutting-edge city policy. If you are looking to support opportunities to increase racial, social, and environmental justice throughout Seattle's environmental work, look no further!
Job Responsibilities
THE JOB
We are recruiting for a Climate Planning Advisor to join OSE’s Climate Justice team. We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated success advancing racial equity and climate/environmental justice, and who have experience working across the public and private sectors. You will use your Climate and Environmental Justice expertise, project management skills, strong interpersonal skills, and diplomacy and political savvy to continue the City’s work to address climate change.
Your top priorities will be:
- Managing the Climate Action Planning Process, including updating the Climate Action Plan (CAP) by the first quarter of 2027.
- Lead internal and external engagement, including leading and facilitating the City’s CAP workgroup, standing up a Director’s forum, and convening regional Climate Justice partners.
- Serve as OSE’s Council Liaison for the first six to eight months, building relationships, strategically advocating and informing the staff and Council members about OSE’s work, impact, and mission, and gathering information regarding emerging issues.
To be successful, you are committed to:
- Supporting Climate and Environmental justice work and impacting climate change
- An equity and inclusion mindset
- Equitable program design and implementation
- Engaging respectfully in all interactions, and building strong relationships and collaborative partnerships
To be effective, you have:
- Strategic Climate and Environmental Justice project/program experience using an equity lens
- Managed complex projects/programs/plans, collaborating with and moving the work of internal teams and external partners forward, communicating updates, and tracking and reporting progress
- Listened, communicated clearly using a variety of formats – briefings, presentations, written materials accessible to all audiences
- Facilitated and led groups without formal authority
- Engaged with and worked collaboratively with frontline communities, distilling their diverse opinions and perspectives to share with City leadership and inform planning
- Created and analyzed policy
- Demonstrated professional accountability and attention to detail
- Used data to understand the health impact of City decisions, codes, and rules
- A background in land-use policy, zoning, or urban planning
Qualifications
A successful applicant will have a professional career that reflects a commitment to addressing climate change in equitable and economically feasible ways. This career orientation should be complemented by qualifications demonstrated in some or most of the following areas:
- Managing multiple complex projects concurrently and successfully
- Advancing climate change with an equity and environmental justice lens
- Building internal and external relationships and partnerships that inform and accomplish change
- Policy or political analysis, development, and implementation
- Delivering outcomes in a political and fast-paced environment
- Listening, communication, and writing skills
- Diplomacy and political savvy
Additional Information
This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits
In addition to completing the application atwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:
A PDF of your current resume- A cover letter explaining how your experience, skills, and values align with this job
Why Work for the City of Seattle? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle that thrives!
This position is open to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. The Office of Sustainability & Environment values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Office of Planning and Community Development encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations:
Individuals with disabilities will be provided with reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov with questions or to request accommodations.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.