Buildings and Energy Outreach Specialist
Office of Sustainability & Environment, City of Seattle
Seattle, WA
Date Posted: 5/2/2024
Position Description
THE DEPARTMENT
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. The sustainability and environmental fields have often failed to reflect the experiences and identities of people affected by their decisions and outcomes, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, Refugees, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. We strongly encourage people with these identities or from other marginalized communities to apply.
THE CONTEXT
Seattle recently passed a new climate law, the Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS). The law focuses on emissions reduction or “decarbonization” which requires owners of nonresidential and multifamily buildings in Seattle to upgrade their buildings, such as improving energy efficiency and upgrading to zero emissions equipment. This law, and the success of this program will have a real and lasting effect on Seattle’s climate future and climate justice.
THE JOB
OSE is recruiting applicants for an outreach and engagement role to help develop an equitable and collaborative public process for BEPS rulemaking, program development, and program implementation. You will use your creative outreach skills to develop and implement a 5–10-year communications plan for sharing information about the new law and how to comply. This will include creating language accessible materials, trainings, and educational tools to engage and support building owners, facility managers, tenants, and energy service providers to meet and benefit from this new law. This position will join a growing and dynamic team at OSE led by the BEPS Program Manager that includes a Climate and Buildings Support Advisor, a BEPS and Benchmarking Rulemaking Specialist, and future technical and help desk positions.
Job Responsibilities
To be successful in this job, you are committed to:
Racial, social, and climate justice
Helping solve the problem of climate change in ways that are equitable, and outcome driven.
Positive and creative collaboration with teammates, citywide colleagues, elected officials, and community members, especially those most impacted by climate change.
Listening to the experience of current and potential program participants, local community organizations, and partner organizations to inform a responsive education, training, and support program for energy efficiency and building emissions reduction.
To be effective in this job, you have:
Developed outreach and engagement plans which have evolved with a program or project as it changes and matures, providing ongoing consistency and content alignment.
Created oral and written communications that are easily accessible by all audiences, for in-person, virtual, and online delivery and for program, leadership, and media purposes.
Worked with technical experts to translate highly technical language, policies, requirements, or processes into written materials and presentations that are clear and understandable and help the intended audiences take actionable steps.
An ability to constructively listen to the challenges of stakeholders, such as building owners, real estate, tenants, building facility and/or sustainability managers as they work to meet the new requirements.
Presented to and engaged stakeholders in a project/program as it is being built to ensure that their needs and concerns are incorporated into planning.
Gathered, analyzed, synthesized, and escalated information, feedback, and recommendations to appropriate teams and leadership.
Experience using and selecting website content management systems, newsletter email platforms, graphic design software, and customer relationship management tools (CRM platforms). Experience with e-learning platforms desired.
Some familiarity with or a desire to learn about energy efficiency, building decarbonization, utility incentive programs, energy benchmarking, energy codes and/or energy or emissions performance standards.
Pivoted when new information, feedback, organization priorities, or emerging needs call for change.
Managed budgets and consultants.
Qualifications
In addition to the skills and abilities listed above, this job requires the following or a combination of experience, training, and education that provides an equivalent background to perform the job:
Four years professional experience in community outreach and engagement, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
OR
Three years professional experience in community outreach and engagement, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials and an associate's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field.
OR
Two years professional experience in community outreach and engagement, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials and a bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field.
Licensure:
Current Washington State License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Additional Information
This job is classified as Public Relations Specialist, Senior and the salary range is from $40.08 - $46.68. It will include occasional travel within Seattle to present to community organizations and building owners.
Starting November 1, 2022, City employees will work two days a week in the office.
Why work at the City?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
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/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
In addition, to completing the application and supplemental questions at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:
A PDF of your current resume.
A cover letter highlighting the work you have done that aligns most closely with this job and your commitment to race and social justice in your work and outreach experience.
Questions? Please contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov
Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle 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, or gender identity. The City 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.
