Clean Energy and Climate Specialist/Planner II

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking a Clean Energy and Climate Specialist/Planner II to engage in local energy and climate planning, provide technical assistance, and manage programs related to clean energy and climate initiatives. The role involves designing policies, evaluating programs, and fostering collaboration for sustainable growth. Currently, staff are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a remote work environment.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council seeks a Clean Energy and Climate Specialist/Planner II. This position will engage in comprehensive local energy and climate planning development, energy- and climate-related technical assistance, and regional energy and climate services procurements. It will design and evaluate programs, policies, strategies, toolkits, and reports on energy- and climate-related topics, developing and analyzing baselines and inventories and facilitating the drafting and adoption of supportive bylaws, ordinances, permitting procedures, and design guidelines. The position will further manage programs, procurements, budgets, and stakeholder relationships; and evaluate and recommend improvements to programs and policies to encourage clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, smart growth, equity, and regional collaboration.

We seek an individual who is innovative, mission-driven, and committed to advancing climate progress and equity through just, inclusive, empowering, and informed public processes. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable future.

About MAPC

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our mission is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration. We are guided by MetroFuture: Making a Greater Boston Region, our regional policy plan for a more sustainable and equitable future, which was adopted in 2008. We are currently working on a successor regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together, which we expect to complete by 2021. MAPC's staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office, currently working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MAPC encourages all of our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC's planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times. We strongly support the professional development of each and every staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC, the Clean Energy Department, MetroFuture, and MetroCommon, please visit www.mapc.org.

During the COVID emergency, almost all staff are working from home. MAPC is deeply committed to on-boarding new staff in ways that integrate them fully into our team of professionals, and maintaining close contact among existing staff, new staff, and external stakeholders.
• Help cities and towns to develop plans, policies, and programs to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, promote equitable climate mitigation and resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential, commercial, and municipal sectors.
• Design and run regional clean energy and climate projects, e.g., procuring climate-smart technology or services, coordinating building decarbonization coalitions, or implementing Net Zero Action Plans or Green Communities analyses among neighboring municipalities.
• Prepare and present reports, briefs, and other materials on municipal and community energy use, GHG emissions, innovative financing, and climate actions, including strategies, data, and policies, to relevant stakeholders, including municipal boards and staff.
• Support the Clean Energy Department’s pursuit of grants and other funding sources, technical assistance, and new project development.
• Expand and maintain relationships between MAPC and municipal partners, community groups, utilities, state and federal agencies, foundations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate energy and climate-related forums, events, and workshops.
Occasional evening, early morning, and weekend meetings, and local travel are a responsibility for this position.Candidates must have either a:
• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of five years of professional experience working directly with energy or climate issues in a public or private sector setting.
• Master's degree in planning, public policy, engineering, or public or business administration, with training in energy systems, climate, or related disciplines and a minimum of three years of professional experience working directly with energy or climate issues in a public or private sector setting.

The successful candidate will demonstrate most or all of the following:
• Experience with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations regarding clean energy, climate, and environmental subject matter.
• Knowledge and experience in climate, energy efficiency, and renewable energy program models, technologies, and tools, such as MassEnergyInsight, Energy Star Portfolio Manager, and GHG inventory protocols.
• Ability to convey energy and climate topics, issues, and data to a wide variety of audiences, including municipal staff, state agencies, community groups, private vendors, and elected and appointed officials.
• Strong organizational, research, writing, analysis, and public presentation skills, and ability to navigate energy and climate data and identify trends.
• Ability to work well independently as well as within a team setting.
• Competency and flexibility in public process, facilitation, and collaboration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regional planning topics, experience with the planning and policy context of a metropolitan region, and commitment to advancing smart growth, regional collaboration, and equity in Metro Boston.
• Fluency discussing various types of diversity (racial, ethnic, linguistic, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, and more).

Compensation and Benefits
The starting salary ranges from $60,000 - $75,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development.

How to apply:
Apply online at www.mapc.org. Please attach a cover letter, resume, and relevant writing sample. A review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region.

MAPC is an EOE/AA employer. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce and encourage all qualified persons to apply.