Sustainability Planner (Associate Planner)

The following duties are typical for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all of these tasks and/or may perform similar related tasks not listed here:

• Climate Action Planning: The Sustainability Planner will be responsible for managing projects and programs identified in the City's adopted Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance environmental sustainability. ?Key initiatives include reducing vehicle miles traveled by fossil fuel-powered vehicles; promoting alternative and active modes of transportation; increasing rooftop solar installations; improving municipal, residential, and commercial energy efficiency; enhancing water conservation; improving waste diversion programs; implementing Sea Level Rise adaptation measures; and, serving as the City's subject matter expert on climate action and sustainability issues. ?The Sustainability Planner will also represent the City in local and regional sustainability matters with residents, businesses, and other state, local, and federal agencies.
• Active Transportation Planning: The Sustainability Planner will be responsible for coordinating the City's various existing and future active transportation and mass transit programs, including pedestrian facilities, bicycle infrastructure including the regional Bayshore Bikeway; the San Diego — Coronado commuter Ferry; the City's Free Summer Shuttle; and municipal bus service (operated by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System). ? The Sustainability Planner serves as the staff liaison to the City's Mobility Committee and will be responsible for coordinating special events related to active transportation such as bike-to-work day, bike safety events in partnership with the local school district, and promotions for the Free Commuter Ferry and Free Summer Shuttle.
• Grant Management: The Sustainability Planner will be expected to seek, evaluate, prepare, and manage applications for grant funding to help finance various plans and projects related to sustainability and/or active transportation.
• General Land Use and Planning: The Sustainability Planner may occasionally be tasked with other land use and planning activities carried out by the Community Development Department, which oversees the City's current planning, advance planning, code enforcement, affordable housing, and historic preservation functions. ?

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will possess a professional history that demonstrates the following necessary competencies and attributes:

• Possess strong knowledge of current trends, strategies, and best practices related to climate action, sustainability, sea level rise, and active transportation.
• Have familiarity with common California land use and planning laws and practices.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences including residents, businesses, developers, contractors, consultants, other agency members, and co-workers.
• Possess strong research skills and the ability to analyze professional and scientific studies and reports, along with the ability to determine the feasibility of projects and programs, and research, compile, analyze, evaluate and present information effectively.
• Be able to effectively frame and communicate complex concepts orally and in writing.
• Have the ability to prepare high quality staff reports, briefs, agreements, memoranda, and written correspondence.
• Speak comfortably and make effective oral presentations on complex subject matters to elected and appointed officials and members of the public.
• Have the ability to prepare well-written, concise, and easy-to-understand staff reports and technical papers.
• Have strong communication skills and establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, consultant teams, and outside agencies; and be able to effectively provide information to the public on relevant projects and programs.
• Have familiarity with researching, applying for, and managing grants.
• Be able to prepare scopes of work for Requests for Proposals/Qualifications, provide support in the selection and administration of professional consultant contracts, including evaluation and assistance in the selection of consultants; and, oversee consultant performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Have the ability to effectively simultaneously manage multiple complex high-priority projects with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrate the ability to self-start, work independently with minimal supervision, and have the flexibility to change course quickly and effectively as needed.
• Be able to provide exceptional customer service on a consistent and routine basis.

To view the full job description, Click here: Associate Planner