Climate Preparedness Coordinator

King County is seeking a Climate Preparedness Coordinator for its Executive Climate Office in Chinook, WA. This role involves supporting the Strategic Climate Action Plan by researching climate topics, developing action plans, and tracking progress on initiatives aimed at climate change preparedness. The position is temporary, funded until December 2025, and emphasizes inclusion and justice in climate action efforts. Collaboration with various teams and community engagement is essential.
King County has established the Executive Climate Office (ECO) to elevate and accelerate Executive Constantine and the County’s commitment, coordination, and ability to deliver on climate action internally and in partnership with cities and partners. Since being established in 2023, the Executive Climate Office has grown to over 20 staff, fellows, and interns, and has secured over $60M in state and federal grants.

ECO is looking to fill one (1) Climate Preparedness Coordinator position to support the Climate Preparedness section of King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP).

As a part of this office, the Climate Preparedness Specialist will collaborate with the ECO Climate Preparedness Team to implement and track progress on key initiatives that help King County communities and local governments prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. This position includes supporting SCAP action implementation through researching related climate topics, developing and executing action workplans in partnership with the Climate Preparedness Team, and tracking action progress. The County is committed to partnering with and supporting frontline communities historically excluded from the environmental and climate change action. The Executive Climate Office commits to prioritizing inclusion and justice for all people in County work on climate, with the aim of decreasing disparities in our organization and our communities.

This term-limited temporary position funded until December 31, 2025, with the possibility of an extension if additional funds become available. This position will report to the Climate Preparedness Manager of the Executive Climate Office.

Supporting Implementation of the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
• Supportresearch andimplementationofSCAPclimate preparednessactionsrelated to sea level rise, resilience hubs, and wildfire risk reduction.This includes:
• Conducting researchandinternal and externalengagementto developa sea level rise strategy for unincorporated King Countyandsupportingcross-jurisdictionalengagementonplanning for sea level rise,
• Supporting pilot efforts to increase access to community cooling locations,
• Tracking implementation ofKing County’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy including trackingwildfire risk reduction activitiesandengagement with partners.
• Work with King County agency staff to track progress on climate preparedness actionsandperformancemeasures.
• In partnership with theClimatePreparednessTeam and communications staff, develop summaries of SCAP progress and key achievements related to climate preparedness. Research andideate creative and effective ways to communicate progress, such asStoryMaps.Present on action progress to internal and external audiences as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

General Climate Preparedness Program Support
• Supportcontent development forexisting climate preparedness-relatedsites, such as the ECO climate preparedness landing pagesand theinternal Climate Resource Hub SharePoint site.
• Assistwith coordination of monthly Climate Action Talks with King County staff byidentifyingpotential speakers, setting upcalendar invites, andsending out relevant materials afterwards.
• Where needed, supportthedevelopment of interim project needsrelated toclimatepreparedness topics.
• Twoor more years ofexperience (professional, academic, organizing, lived, etc.)in a climatespecialist, climate adaptation,orotherclosely relatedrole.
• Experience withdevelopingproject recommendations based on current climate research.
• Knowledge of regional climate change impacts.
• Experience supporting justice, inclusion, and equity at an individual and organizational level.
• Experience with following project workplans and reporting on progress.
• Experience with organizing and supporting discussions in virtual meetings and other collaborative mediums.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple projects and priorities and working collaboratively within a team.
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office suite.
• Proven ability to work on multiple projects with changing priorities and/or conflicting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-agency team of dedicated King County stafftodevelop and implement the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan.
• Strongsystems thinking andorganizational skills.
• Creativity and ability tooperatewith ambiguity.
• Demonstrated ability to research and provide recommendations on complex issues using analysis, experience, and judgement.
• Evidence of advanced oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in engaging with diverse audiences, collaborators, and staff.

Desired:
• Technical knowledge of regional climate impacts on people and infrastructure.
• Experience in framing climate and/or equity topics in a relevant manner for a variety of audiences, including community members and decision makers.
• Experience working with/in limited English-speaking populations, immigrant/refugee communities, BIPOC communities and culturally diverse communities.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

WHO MAY APPLY: This term-limited temporary opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.

WORK LOCATION and TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT:The work associated with this position will be performed in a hybrid fashion of on-site and telework.This position will need to report to the work location three days a week (likely Tuesday-Thursday). Employees will also have access to shared workspaces at King County's Chinook Building at 401 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. There will be situations where the employee may be required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. The typical work week is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. This position is not represented by a labor organization.

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED: Please submit a complete online application, resume and cover letter describing how your education and/or experience relate to the qualifications for this position. Your options are to:
• Copy and paste one or more documents into the Text Resume section of the application, or
• Attach multiple documents/files in the Resume Attachment section.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the cover letter and resume. Applications responses stating "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

CONTACT:If you have any questions about the application requirements, please contact HR Manager Seth Watson (seth.watson@kingcounty.gov) or HR Analyst Dan Grant (dan.grant@kingcounty.gov).