Description
Are you passionate about youth climate education and outreach programs that have a positive impact on San Mateo County communities? Would you like to join a team of enthusiastic and innovative professionals advancing the County’s environmental sustainability initiatives and partnerships? The County of San Mateo's Sustainability Department seeks qualified candidates for a Sustainability Specialist II position. We are looking for candidates with excellent project management, youth engagement, and communication skills to coordinate environmental education and outreach projects. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.
Under the general direction of the Communications Officer, the Sustainability Specialist II will coordinate two climate change education programs for high school and middle school youth, the Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Leadership Program and the Youth Exploring Climate Science (YECS) Program. The position will also coordinate outreach and community engagement activities to promote sustainability initiatives within the County and the community. The position may also coordinate other environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Job/Ideal Candidate The Sustainability Specialist II will coordinate the youth climate education programs and implement programs in partnership with County and community partners that increase youth understanding of climate science and increase youth engagement in local climate solutions. This position also coordinates outreach and engagement activities to increase and maintain public awareness of the department’s purpose, services/programs, and accomplishments. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills, excellent communication skills, experience working with youth, and a background in climate change or sustainability or environmental science.
As a Sustainability Specialist II, you will:
- Teach climate change curricula to grades 7-12 in the classroom and field, and update curricula as needed; Make clear connections to environmental justice.
- Empower youth to be environmental stewards and take action on climate change in their communities.
- Manage, schedule, and lead field trips with high school youth throughout San Mateo County.
- Coordinate the Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Leadership Program, including facilitating workshops, coordinating with YCA staff, planning Program retreats, and providing youth mentorship and guidance for YCA Community Impact Projects.
- Coordinate the YCA Alumni Network.
- Develop and update website content for the YECS and YCA sites.
- Incorporate racial equity and social justice into all aspects of your work.
- Incorporate the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a project or initiative.
- Coordinate tabling for the Office of Sustainability at community events such as Earth Day events, neighborhood fairs, etc.
- Assist with meeting facilitation, website updates, social media, Earth Day events, and other duties as needed.
- Accurately record and track education efforts.
- Respond to inquiries via phone, email, and website.
The
IDEAL CANDIDATE has:
- Experience working with communities that represent diversity in race, ethnicity, income, language, and disability status.
- Strong understanding of climate change and environmental justice.
- Environmental science teaching experience or experience as an environmental educator – demonstrated success in informal or formal education for grades K-12.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills – able to easily connect with people and engage youth and tact and courtesy with stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with people in difficult or controversial situations.
- Superb communication skills – able to communicate and distil complex concepts to a variety of audiences and ages.
- Strong organizational skills – experienced in tracking projects with a high level of organization.
- Independence – can "hit the ground running" and work with minimal supervision.
- Flexibility – able to change course quickly and effectively.
- Time management and prioritization skills – able to effectively manage time between multiple projects.
- Bilingual language skills- Spanish or Mandarin preferred.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Perform a variety of professional duties related to the County's sustainability and resource conservation programs.
- Develop, implement, coordinate, promote, monitor and evaluate one or more resource conservation programs/projects.
- Serve as subject matter expert to the county, external agencies, businesses, community groups and individuals in the assigned areas.
- Assure compliance with federal, state, local and other pertinent environmental mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations and agreements within assigned areas.
- Research, analyze and interpret information and data.
- Design and conduct a wide variety of studies and surveys.
- Develop systems and procedures to support program/project activities.
- Prepare written materials such as narrative reports, technical charts and publications.
- Develop, conduct, monitor and evaluate comprehensive outreach, public education, training and media activities.
- Provide supervision and leadership on a project basis to professional, technical, support, consultant/contract and volunteer staff.
- Develop, negotiate and monitor grants.
- Represent the section on committees, boards and other related groups.
- Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for new and existing programs.
- Participate in developing and implementing short and long-range goals and objectives for the section.
- Provide management with information related to developing and monitoring budgets.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of program planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Principles and practices of contract management.
- Principles, practices and trends in the assigned specialty areas of resource conservation.
- Technical information in the assigned specialty areas such as waste reduction, recycling and composting, construction and demolition, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate action, planning and adaptation, water conservation, active transportation, affordable housing, commute alternatives, environmental education and community engagement.
- Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
Skill/Ability to:- Plan, implement and evaluate assigned programs, projects and activities.
- Coordinate multiple functions and contracts.
- Supervise permanent, temporary, contract and volunteer staff on a project basis.
- Serve as subject matter expert in assigned areas.
- Work with a wide variety of people at all levels including those from government, business, private and non-profit agencies, community groups and the public.
- Identify problems and resolve them.
- Track and monitor compliance with pertinent mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations and agreements.
- Develop and conduct outreach, public education, training and media activities.
- Research and analyze information/data to formulate findings and recommendations.
- Serve as representative on various boards, committees and community groups.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, letters and other written materials.
- Provide information in regard to planning, developing and monitoring the budget.
- Establish and maintain effective working relations with others.
- Integrate race and social justice considerations into work duties.
Education and Experience:Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
I Level: Bachelor's degree in environmental science, public policy, biology, natural resource management, ecology, or a related field.
II Level: One year of experience in the field of resource conservation which has included program analysis and coordination.
Application/Examination
Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.
Application Materials: The following are required to be submitted:
- Regular online County Employment Application Form, including completion of the Supplemental Questionnaire.
- Resume.
- Cover letter expressing your interest in the position and how your education and/or experience qualify you for the position.
The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application materials including the supplemental questionnaire, cover letter, and resume. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification
. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given online, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULEApplication Deadline: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PSTApplication Screening: Friday, November 1 through Monday, November 4, 2024
Panel Interview: Friday, November 8, 2024
About the County San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
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Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Resource Conservation Specialist II - J083/J082)
