Climate and Sustainability Specialist

SWA Group is seeking a Climate and Sustainability Specialist to support its Climate Action Plan in California. The role involves carbon accounting, low-carbon design integration, training, and operational emissions tracking. Candidates should have a Master's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience. The position allows collaboration with various teams to advance sustainability practices and requires proficiency in carbon accounting tools. This job can be performed remotely.
Location: California
Job Title:

Climate and Sustainability Specialist
Location:

San Francisco, Sausalito, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, Dallas, Houston, or New York City
Job Summary

As part of SWA’s pioneering Climate Action Plan (CAP), the Climate and Sustainability Specialist will play a critical role in supporting the firm’s decarbonization goals. This position focuses on implementing the technical aspects of the CAP, including project-level carbon accounting, benchmarking, and advancing sustainable design practices through research and education. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Director of Climate Strategy, Studio Climate Champions, and design teams across SWA’s global studios to integrate low-carbon strategies into project workflows and firm operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically skilled professional passionate about sustainability and climate action to contribute to transformative projects that shape the future of landscape architecture and urban design.
Key Responsibilities
• Carbon Accounting and Benchmarking:
• Support carbon accounting for projects using tools such as Carbon Conscience, Pathfinder, and EC3.
• Support the establishment of CO2e benchmarks across typological project categories.
• Low-Carbon Design Integration:
• Collaborate with Studio Climate Champions and design teams to integrate decarbonization strategies into project workflows, from proposal to completion.
• Provide guidance on low-carbon materials selection and specifications, contributing to SWA’s internal materials database and “greenline” specifications.
• Support pilot projects to test, refine, and expand sustainable design practices across the firm.
• Support the integration of carbon accounting into SWA’s design services.
• Training and Knowledge Sharing:
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programs, including Carbon Accounting Bootcamps and Decarbonize Design workshops.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and support firmwide education initiatives, including the SWA Climate Summit.
• Operational Emissions Tracking:
• Contribute to tracking and reporting SWA’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 operational emissions, collaborating with the accounting team and external consultants.
• Support studios in developing tailored emissions reduction plans for office operations and employee commuting.
• Research and Innovation:
• Stay informed about emerging tools, technologies, and methodologies in carbon accounting, sustainable design strategeis, and operational best practices.
• Support research into innovative materials and practices that advance SWA’s climate and sustainability goals.

Qualifications
• Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or a related field. Advanced coursework or certification in carbon accounting, sustainability, or related areas is a plus.
• Experience:

3-5 years of experience in low-carbon design, carbon accounting, sustainability consulting, or environmental analysis within the AEC industry or a related field.
• Skills and Knowledge:
• Proficiency in carbon accounting tools and methodologies, such as Pathfinder, Carbon Concience, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).
• Familiarity with sustainable design practices, low-carbon materials, and climate resilience strategies.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage and interpret complex datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Competencies
• Detail-Oriented and Analytical:
Excels at managing technical processes, data analysis, and reporting to achieve climate goals.
• Collaborative Team Player:
Works effectively with multidisciplinary teams, contributing to a shared vision for sustainable design and practice.
• Proactive Problem Solver:
Demonstrates resourcefulness in identifying solutions to support SWA’s decarbonization goals.
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