Statement of Duties
The City of Somerville is one of the leading cities on climate change in Massachusetts and the country, pioneering new approaches to climate action planning, clean energy and resilience programs, and community engagement. The Environmental Policy Manager will research, develop, support, implement, maintain, track, and advise the City on a broad range of environmental policies, programs, projects, and regulations. The Environmental Policy Manager is required to perform all similar or related duties.
Essential Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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.
- Topics requiring leadership and/or support of the Environmental Policy Manager include but are not limited to: resiliency (extreme heat, precipitation, air quality, etc.), (hazardous) waste, zero waste policy, recycling, air quality (indoor and outdoor), natural resources (biodiversity, green space, shade, watershed), and emergency management efforts, as well as food and environmental justice, consumption and emissions reduction, and behavioral changes.
- Research, closely track, and analyze topics of strategic importance, including but not limited to innovative ideas and best practices, and translate findings into easily understandable and actionable insights.
- Conduct risk assessments and advise the Director. Draft public comments and remarks and deliver as needed. Follow regulatory and legislative happenings at all levels of government and amongst peers and neighbors. Develop and maintain relationships with partners.
- Identify stakeholders and those impacted by a policy, advise and implement engagement strategies, convene internal and external stakeholders to create and influence effective, equitable, and values-driven policies.
- Develop short- and long-term policies, programs, projects, presentations, materials, memoranda, briefs, and analysis in collaboration with, and for, a wide range of audiences.
- Execute contracts and oversee work of consultants and staff implementing environmental policies, programs, and projects.
- Track and analyze data and performance. Evaluate and make improvements as needed.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a related field (environmental policy, planning, or science or a related field etc.) and five to seven years’ experience in municipal government, state agency positions or relevant private consulting roles; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. An advanced degree can substitute for 1-2 years of experience.
Special Requirements
As of May 2023, OSE employees are required to be in the office and in the field when their work requires them to be. This guidance is subject to change.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: Strong understanding of both established and emerging environmental trends, technologies, programs, and policies. Strong familiarity with applicable state, federal and regional environmental proceedings, regulations, and guidelines. Knowledge of municipal and state policy and project development processes from visioning and scoping. Experience with program management including program design, implementation, evaluation, and tracking. An understanding of climate change and a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the intersections between climate change, environmental justice, food justice, social and environmental health, and related movements. Demonstrated interest in conservation, animal welfare, and minimizing/mitigating the impacts of American consumerism. Demonstrated experience working with public officials, researchers, and community members to advance policy change.
Ability: Demonstrates sensitivity, tact, and sound professionalism judgment. Ability to obtain interdepartmental cooperation and communication, handle problems and emergencies effectively, maintain confidential information, and maintain, manage, and organize records. Ability to carry complex projects from concept to implementation, use creative thinking to solve problems, and work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to read and understand technical information and supervise implementation of projects, policies, and programs. Ability to perform field data collection and analysis. Ability to formulate and present findings and recommendations accessibly and accurately, in written and verbal formats, for a wide range of audiences, including colleagues, elected officials, outside agencies, contractors, advocates, and the community. Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Ability to work in management of compliance scenarios and with dissatisfied clients or stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Ability to work independently, with initial guidance. Ability to write quickly and effectively on a range of topics. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and Zoom. Ability to effectively build relationships and networks, forge/facilitate connections and work with a broad range of actors.
Skill: Exceptional organizational skills. Close attention to detail. Exceptional written and oral communications skills. Skilled public speaker. Skill in presentation composition, communication technology, and engaging diverse audiences. Strong training and facilitation skills. Superior organizational and team building skills, including the ability to coordinate and lead diverse teams of individuals towards cooperative management goals and objectives. Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills both quantitative and qualitative. Excellent computer skills for word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Work Environment
The work environment will primarily be office work with field work on an as needed basis to support projects. The office work involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. The field work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort navigating construction and repair sites as well as exposure to varying conditions in mechanical/boiler rooms, ceilings, roofs, and under floor areas. At times, the work will require extended physical effort over a significant portion of the work day. Additionally, the employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. Duties generally do not present occupational risk. Injury could occur, however, through employee failure to property follow safety precautions or procedures.
Physical and Mental 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 position’s essential functions.
Physical Skills
Minimal to moderate physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job requires motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.
Visual Skills
Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes and routine review of building plans.
Hours: Full-time, City Hall hours
Salary: $82,806.06 annualized, plus benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Exempt
Date Posted: November 13, 2024
City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.
The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.
Please Note: The below details do not apply to any Mayor Student Jobs programs OR youth workers with the city.
Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:
- MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
- Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees
Overview of Total Rewards:
- 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
- Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
- Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
- Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
- Long term disability through Sun Life
- Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
- Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
- Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
- Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
- Annual cancer screening & wellness release
- Somerville Retirement Pension System
- Tuition reimbursement
- MBTA pass program
- FREE Blue Bikes membership
- Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.
