Climate Action and Sustainability Program Specialist Fellow
*Please note: We will be hiring 4 Fellows for this role. This is a remote position within California. Fellows must be located in California by the first day of the Fellowship.
Position Description & Overview
The Climate Action and Sustainability Program Specialist Fellow will be engaged in a critical effort to help establish, revise, and progress climate action and sustainability measures for the California Community Colleges. The Fellow will be responsible for facilitating ongoing and new efforts that increase the adoption of local sustainability plans, benchmarking, reporting, utility efficiencies, carbon reductions, cost savings, technical assistance, professional development, and broader sustainability objectives.
The Fellow will be relied on to engage with diverse stakeholders. This role will require interest and skill in program development, policy formulation, identifying effective sustainability practices, process improvement, project management, and engaging with diverse audiences in behavior change for sustainability. The ideal candidate is engaging, self-directed, technically adept, detail-oriented, creative, a critical thinker, and comfortable with ambiguity.
Who We Are
The California Community Colleges Chancellor Office is a California State Agency that oversees the largest system of higher education in the nation. Our 116 colleges serve more than 2 million students annually and transfer nearly 80,000 each year to the University of California and California State University systems while providing hundreds of thousands more with a skills-based, career education needed to secure good-paying jobs.
The California Community Colleges’ work in climate action, described in California Community Colleges Vision 2030, advances community college engagement within four fields of climate practice: facilities and operations, workforce and curriculum, community engagements and benefits, and resource development. The Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability Framework provides specific goals and recommendations in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, green buildings, energy usage, water usage, waste systems, purchasing and procurement, transportation, and campus food systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Climate action and sustainability program development, research effective practices, and support the implementation of strategies associated with climate action and sustainability goals
- Support and participate in a climate action and sustainability advisory committee that comprises college and district representatives to guide statewide energy and sustainability goals. This work may include coordinating meetings, enlisting speakers, organizing topical sessions, and other engagements as necessary
- Effectively collaborate with others to build tools and identify metrics that facilitate the uptake of sustainability measures
- Analyze issues that hinder the implementation of climate and sustainability practices at local colleges and districts and provide recommendations for solutions
- Coordinate professional development training and workshops
- Provide technical assistance and regional support for local colleges and districts
- Assist campuses in benchmarking, benchmarking strategies, and analysis based on the climate action and sustainability goals
Preferred Qualifications
- Passion for environmental issues and making a difference in their community
- Experience with program development, project management, and outreach
- Coursework in environmental studies, environmental or energy management, public policy, sustainable business and/or organizational behavior
- Experienced in customer service and collaboration for change
- Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently as well as with diverse, multi-stakeholder groups
- Demonstrated ability to plan projects and to keep multiple projects moving forward
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to logically troubleshoot problems and develop creative solutions
- Working experience with Microsoft suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook
We encourage anyone who is interested in this position and who meets some of the qualifications to apply, even if they do not meet all of them. We recognize that a unique perspective and background can enhance a role when many, if not all, of the listed qualifications are met.
**If you would need to relocate for this position, please note that you need to be in the state you are relocating to no less than 10 business days before the start of the fellowship.**
Benefits
- End-of-program financial award.
- Healthcare coverage with 100% of healthcare insurance premiums covered by the employer.
- Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services.
- Professional and Personal Development Training
- Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
- Attending panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals.
- Professional networking opportunities.
About Climate Corps
Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship program that provides professional development opportunities for emerging leaders through the implementation of sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To see a full list of climate, energy, and sustainability positions posted by Climate Corps, please visit here: https://jobs.climatecorps.org/listings. We are constantly adding positions, so make sure to frequently check this site to see if there are new opportunities available.
SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html