Description

Are you passionate about driving impactful sustainability initiatives and shaping a greener future? The Community Services Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time Sustainability Division Chief vacancy in Santa Barbara. If you’re ready to lead, innovate, and inspire action in sustainability, we invite you to join our team and make a difference!

The job classification for this position is a Community Resources Manager III. This is an at-will position, exempt from Civil Service provisions, who serves at the pleasure of the Department Director.

THE DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:
As part of the County of Santa Barbara's Community Services Department, the Sustainability Division collaborates across County departments, with community-based organizations, and external stakeholders and agencies to develop climate-related policies and programming that enhance the environment and our quality of life. The division is guided by the County's Climate Action Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and communitywide.

THE POSITION
Under direction, is responsible for leading a critically important division of the Community Services Department with a significant focus on sustainability initiatives; coordinates assigned activities with staff in other divisions and departments; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance and administrative support to executive management staff; and performs other duties as assigned.

The Sustainability Division Manager plays a vital role in the development and implementation of data driven and technical sustainability programs projects and initiatives that support the goals of the County's Climate Action Plan. The Manager will collaborate with internal departments (e.g., Parks, General Services) and community stakeholders to identify and pursue emission reduction opportunities throughout the County related primarily to sustainable energy and water use. Activities will include technical analysis and research, program management and possible supervisory responsibilities.

Major Programs and Initiatives Include:

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN)
Climate Action Plan Implementation
Regional Climate Collaborative

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Reports to the Department Director. Oversees the work of a team or teams of individual contributors through subordinate managers. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned management, professional, technical, and administrative staff.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate demonstrates a deep understanding of modern practices involving climate sustainability, resilience and adaptation and exhibits a creative and innovative approach when developing strategies and programs in furtherance of the County’s Climate Action Plan and related policy documents. In addition, the candidate:

Possesses a strong customer service/client advocacy orientation.
Effectively addresses customer complaints to a satisfactory resolution.
Excels in supervision and management, providing capable leadership to guide staff and allocate agency resources effectively.
Possesses general knowledge of personnel laws and rules that are applicable to a public organization.
Serves as an effective coach, mentor, and educator, supporting supervisors on operational and personnel matters.
Communicates actively and effectively with staff, fostering collaboration and transparency.
Sets and achieves realistic yet ambitious goals while engaging staff in the process.
Brings experience in leading organizational change with a strategic, big picture perspective.
Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Examples of Duties

Serves as a member of the County's management team by planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the activities in sustainability, and climate related programs.
Establishes annual or mid-term priorities, goals, and operational plans for the division or programs.
Recommends, establishes, and provides direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, policies, standards, or operational plans based on the department's longer term strategies.
Recommends division's strategic plans within department strategic direction to next level manager or director.
Develops, administers, and evaluates community resources services and programs to ensure compliance with strategies and performance goals; manages work systems and processes; maintains and updates procedures and ensures compliance; researches trends and best practices; and recommends and implements changes.
Monitors state and federal grant funding for projects, programs, and other initiatives beneficial to the County.
Develops and administers work unit budget and procurement processes; reviews and approves budget requests and transactions; negotiates and manages contracts; researches and analyzes financial information; makes resource allocation recommendations; and implements resource allocation decisions.
Researches, analyzes, develops, and reviews original fiscal, compliance, and related reports, contracts, plans, grant proposals, materials, presentations, and other documents; and develops and makes recommendations to higher-level staff.
Develops, implements, and evaluates services and programs to ensure adherence to strategic and performance goals; manages work systems and processes; maintains and updates procedures; researches trends and best practices in the area of assignment; and recommends and implements operational and program changes.
Performs long-term planning and recommends policy and procedure improvements to meet changing program requirements and legislative changes.
Develops and administers budgetary and procurement processes; manages contracts; researches and analyzes financial information; makes resource allocation recommendations; and implements resource allocation decisions.
Troubleshoots and resolves program or work unit issues and informs higher-level management of issues/resolution.
Oversees the preparation of or prepares contracts, reports, records, plans, and other documents involved in managing the area of assignment; oversees and participates in the research and analysis of policy and related information; and makes recommendations to higher-level management staff.
Supervises management, professional, paraprofessional, and support staff; conducts performance evaluations, employee development, hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.
Coordinates work with the general public, County staff, and external agencies; may represent the County on various professional committees; and prepare and make presentations to the public, elected officials, boards, and other stakeholders.
Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public administration, business administration, urban planning, sustainability management, environmental studies, or specific field related to program assignment AND,
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a related field including at least three (3) years as a supervisor or manager.

Note: If you have an international degree, documentation from an evaluation service demonstrating equivalent U.S. education standards and transcripts will be required. A list of evaluation services can be found by visiting http://www.naces.org/members.html

Licenses and Certificates
A valid California Class C Driver's License may be required by time of appointment. Incumbents will be required to travel throughout County and State.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, and techniques of community resources in a public agency setting, including sustainability, and climate related initiatives including the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Available public and private community resources, grants, and funding.
Social, political, and economic issues related to community resources program administration.
Community resources programs and services.
Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Management principles, practices, and techniques.
Principles and practices of governmental accounting, fiscal management, budgeting and auditing.
Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.

Ability to:

Effectively administer various programs and activities related to sustainability, and climate related initiatives.
Negotiate among different constituency groups with diverging interests to achieve a shared understanding and commonality of purpose.
Establish partnerships with County staff, vendors, the general public, and/or external agencies in the establishment of community resources policies and programming.
Manage assigned operations/programs and ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
Develop and implement policies and procedures.
Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in developing goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning and monitoring work.
Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
Oversee the implementation of and adherence to quality assurance activities and standards.
Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
Resolve complex problems within the area of assignment.
Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.
Create and provide informative presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.
Manage the planning and operation of in-service training programs.
Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.
Maintain composure in difficult situations.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or click here to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

Retirement reciprocity
Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 3, 2025, at 4:59p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Chanel Turner, Talent Acquisition Analyst – cturner@countyofsb.org

County of Santa Barbara

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Sustainability Division Chief