Brookline DPW seeks a Deputy Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources with a proven track record of leading impactful climate action and decarbonization initiatives, managing energy efficiency programs, and driving change. If you're ready to play a pivotal role in Brookline's ambitious climate action efforts, we want to hear from you!
Position Overview: The Deputy Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources will be an essential leader in advancing the Town of Brookline's climate action agenda. You'll manage current and future climate action programs, drive energy efficiency, implement sustainable policies, and reduce fossil fuel consumption across the Town. With a focus on environmental impact, sustainability, and climate resilience, you'll work alongside other municipal departments, community groups, and state organizations to create meaningful change for a more sustainable future.
What You'll Do: - Lead the design and execution of climate action initiatives, including energy management, climate adaptation, and mitigation programs.
- Coordinate and track the progress of Brookline's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, while keeping the community engaged with transparent updates.
- Oversee environmental data collection efforts, grant proposals, and funding opportunities related to sustainability.
- Advocate for sustainability best practices in municipal operations, from building design to stormwater management and sustainable waste solutions.
- Prepare presentations, organize public workshops, and represent the Town at community events and meetings.
- Manage municipal electric vehicle infrastructure and promote decarbonization practices across the community.
What We're Looking For:The idea candidate is a strategic thinker who is passionate about sustainability, climate change mitigation, and energy management and who thrives in a dynamic environment, with an ability to foster relationships, drive change, and inspire action.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in sustainability or energy management programs, with a strong background in climate action planning, energy efficiency, and environmental policy.
- Education: A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
- Skills: Excellent communication and presentation abilities, strong data management skills, grant writing expertise, and a collaborative leadership style. You should also have experience in overseeing interdepartmental teams and negotiating contracts for energy procurement and sustainability projects.
- Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of climate change science, sustainability standards (LEED, Net Zero, Passive House), and energy management programs such as Mass Energy Insight and Energy Star.
Why Join Us? - Make a Difference: Help shape Brookline's climate future and contribute to meaningful change in sustainability and climate action.
- Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a dedicated team of professionals and engage with community stakeholders to create a more sustainable Town.
- Growth and Impact: Your leadership will directly influence climate action policies, energy efficiency projects, and public education on sustainability.
The Deputy Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources position offers a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape the future of Brookline's climate and sustainability efforts.
Apply today to be part of a forward-thinking team, committed to a sustainable future for our community and beyond. Salary Range for this position is $109,551 - $123,952 with excellent benefits!Application Deadline: March 14, 2025. Please apply with resume and letter of interest.Deputy Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources Job DescriptionPosition Purpose: Complex administrative, supervisory, and professional work related to the development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of all Town initiatives pertaining to sustainability, energy management, fossil fuel reduction, and climate mitigation and adaptation. All other related work as required.
Supervision:Supervision Scope: Performs varied and responsible duties requiring a thorough working knowledge of departmental and municipal operations. Exercises judgment and initiative to carry out assignments independently, analyzes situations and conditions, and recommends appropriate course of action from among many alternatives.
Supervision Received: Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the broad policy direction of the Select Board, following department policies and appropriate professional standards. Resolves procedural problems independently, escalating situations and seeking guidance on matters that do not have clear precedents appropriately.
Supervision Given: Has direct supervisory responsibility for one full-time Division personnel. May supervise or otherwise assist in the direction of staff conducting discrete projects concerning sustainability or natural resources in other divisions of the Department of Public Works, or other departments/offices as appropriate. Supervises part-time staff and interns as assigned.
Job Environment:Work is usually performed under typical office conditions; the noise level is moderate. Makes site visits with possible exposure to the hazards associated with construction sites or post-disaster situations, and extreme weather conditions. Attends frequent evening meetings, both virtually and in person. May be contacted at home at any time to respond to important situations and emergencies. Operates an automobile, computer, printer, copier, calculator, telephone, and other standard office equipment. Makes frequent contacts with other Town and school departments, boards and committees, community groups, government agencies, and the general public. Contacts are in person, in writing, by telephone and remotely and require discussing complex administrative and technical matters with persuasiveness, resourcefulness and discretion to influence the behavior of others. Has access to division-related confidential information, including personnel records, bid proposals, contracts, facility data, and Town utility information. Errors in judgment or omissions could result in loss of municipal funds, negative climate outcomes, and serious financial and legal ramifications.
Essential Functions:(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
- Under the general direction of the Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources, manages all current and future climate action program initiatives including cost analysis, environmental impact assessments, regulatory compliance, performance measures, and best practices. Develops and recommends sustainability and climate policies, programs, and regulations. Provides supervision and coordination of related activities including education, volunteer coordination and support of the Zero Emissions Advisory Board (ZEAB).
- Regularly reviews, tracks progress, updates, and supports implementation of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and other sustainability - related programs in Town. Responsible to conceive, design, execute, and manage projects that help the Town achieve various climate action benchmarks. Develop and maintains a database, and other tools, that communicates progress of the plan clearly to residents and Town staff.
- Works closely interdepartmentally and with other municipal departments in order to integrate sustainability practices into municipal operations and initiatives, including but not limited to issues regarding building design and material alternatives, environmental hazard mitigation and remediation, energy usage, monitoring, and analysis, energy efficiency initiatives, stormwater management, sustainable transportation, water efficiency, sustainable waste management, and fossil fuel-free initiatives in Town-owned buildings and facilities.
- Identifies and prepares grant proposals and opportunities for sustainability-related funding from public and private sources; coordinates the preparation and submission of applications in collaboration with other Departments; oversees others or administers and reports on grants received.
- Maintains and develops relationships with program partners including: utilities, contractors, grassroots organizations, state-level organizations, developers, designers, and other buildings professionals to maximize the implementation of green building practices in new construction and retrofits.
- Provides administrative and professional staff support to the Zero Emissions Advisory Board (ZEAB) or its successor in preparing policy recommendations to the Select Board.
- Administers the Green Communities Program requirements including annual reporting and maintaining the Mass Energy Insight data platform.
- Directly manages environmental data collection efforts, specifically in collaboration with the Building Department and School Department related to energy usage and efficiency.
- Prepares and delivers presentations to the public, boards, and commissions, and staff on sustainability initiatives, energy policies, and program outcomes; attends evening and weekend meetings; plans, manages or represents the Department of Public Works at community events; technical meetings, and legislative affairs.
- Organizes workshops, seminars, and community events to educate the public on climate mitigation, adaptation, and general sustainability practices.
- Oversees the development of communication materials, including reports, newsletters, and social media content, to effectively inform and engage the public on sustainability issues.
- Reviews development proposals and issues comments and approvals as appropriate.
- Manages, maintains, and expands both municipal and publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Performs a variety of administrative and supervisory functions; and may be responsible for division operations in the absence of the director.
- Performs similar or related work as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:Education, Training and Experience:Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, Energy, Environmental Policy, or Public Policy, or a related field, as well as five years of experience in sustainability, including the management of energy-related programs. Master's degree preferred. Prior experience in a public-facing role in municipal government and supervisory experience strongly preferred
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:Knowledge: Thorough working knowledge of climate change science, energy management, social behavior change, and organizational change strategies. Knowledge of municipal and private sector sustainability standards such as Passive House, Net Zero, Institute for Living Future, 2030 Districts, LEED, etc. a plus. Familiarity with Mass Energy Insight and Energy Star programs a plus. Experience drafting and implementing climate action plans or other similar plans is desired. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as an ability and willingness to learn new software, as appropriate.
Ability: Proven ability for creating, implementing, and maintaining environmental management programs. Ability to successfully oversee and facilitate various departmental and interdepartmental teams of professional and technical staff. In conjunction with the division head, ability to negotiate on behalf of the Town contracts and partnership agreements with regards to energy procurement, renewable energy generation construction projects, sustainability consultant work, etc. Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with a variety of governmental agencies. Ability to analyze complex issues and to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs, and recommendations. Ability to conduct independent research and to analyze and interpret results.
Skill: Demonstrated grant writing and program management skills. Demonstrated skills in developing public education/communication programs related to sustainability and natural resources. Demonstrated skills in leading the negotiation of complex public-private agreements. Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, and ability to conduct public meetings. Strong data management and analysis skills. Superior organizational skills. Optimistic and team-oriented.
Physical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Regularly required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear; operate objects, tools, or controls; pick up paper, files, and other common office objects. Lifts/moves objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Communicates verbally and in writing. Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges and the ability to distinguish colors. Must have the ability to operate an automobile. Moderate to strenuous physical effort is required occasionally for walking, standing, crouching, and traversing uneven terrain at construction sites. Ability to operate a keyboard for an extended period of time at an efficient speed. Ability to view computer screens for an extended period of time.
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)
