Sustainability Projects Analyst

General Description The County Manager's department has an opening for Sustainability Project Analyst.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS The work involves the responsibility for supporting the growth of innovative sustainability programs throughout Orange County operations and the community to achieve the climate goals and initiatives of the Orange County Climate Action Plan.
An employee in this class has responsibility for providing leadership and technical expertise for a variety of sustainability programs, grants and policy development that supports climate action; including, but not limited to energy efficiencies, renewable energy, social and racial equity, resilience, electrical vehicle charging infrastructure deployment, natural resource conservation, and pilot projects.
The position will play a pivotal role building upon current programs while developing and implementing new opportunities to advance progress towards climate and sustainability goals.
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Sustainability Programs Manager with considerable leeway to exercise creativity and independent judgment within the framework of policies and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding project assignments.
Supervisory support of others is required for this position.
Position does related work as required.
Examples of Essential Functions Examples of Essential Functions The following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities.
The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.
A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Researches and leads the implementation of new programs, policies and best practices that support the strategies and actions in Orange County’s Climate Action Plan aimed at promoting equity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing sustainable practices in County operations and throughout the community.
Performs professional-level technical analysis and implementation of energy saving measures and renewable energy generation opportunities for the County, working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and funding opportunities.
Collaborates with other departments, advisory boards, and stakeholders on programs and projects, develops and oversees short-and long-range goals, develops and maintains budgetary recommendations and records, performance metrics, and monitors and reports on progress related to projects.
Initiates and/or participates in grant applications supporting climate action plan strategies funded through local, state or federal programs.
Creates education and outreach programs on a variety of sustainability topics for internal and external audiences that informs, educates, and inspires.
Oversees development and updates to the sustainability website and creation of the quarterly Climate Connection newsletter.
Provides promotional, administrative, and technical support for the Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program.
Develops relationships with internal and external partners, community groups, professional organizations, businesses, and non-profit organizations to facilitate cross-sector collaborations.
Creates presentations for staff, residents and other groups on programs, policies, and other sustainability efforts.
Promotes and develops volunteer opportunities, attends outreach events, and assists with supervision of part time staff and sustainability interns.
Develops, evaluates and continuously improves sustainability data collection, tracking, and reporting.
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities FULL PERFORMANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of environmental sustainability, energy planning, program management and sustainable practices.
Thorough knowledge of energy technologies, energy data, energy conservation, and developing greenhouse gas inventories.
Skills in collaboration and working with multiple stakeholders and partners to advance complex projects.
Skills in public speaking, meeting facilitation and developing effective proposals.
Ability to prepare cost benefit analyses.
Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
Ability to develop, implement and promote energy conservation strategies and education to diverse audiences.
Ability to provide technical leadership and expertise in areas of energy management and/or environmental sustainability.
Ability to synthesize complex information and ideas and present them in an understandable way.
Ability to meet deadlines and project deliverables for complex projects through effective planning, budgeting, organization, and oversite.
Ability to analyze a variety of administrative and technical problems and make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
Ability to prepare original reports, documents, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
Ability to gather, interpret and analyze data into reports and graphs and make appropriate recommendations for action.
Ability to organize and identify resources and establish priorities to meet deadlines and objectives.
Ability to develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures.
Ability to establish effective and courteous working relationships with others and the public.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree in energy management, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, biology, or other closely related field AND two (2) years of work experience in environmental sustainability, energy planning, climate change management, green building or other related fields with the responsibility of program and grant management, communicating and educating others on sustainable practices and providing administrative and technical support of programs; OR An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.
A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.
Special Requirements Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.
All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a background check.
Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
Physical Requirements and Possible Hazards PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARD Ability to physically perform the basic life operational support functions(with or without reasonable accommodation) of standing, walking, stooping, keyboarding, talking, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping, hearing, handling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, reaching and repetitive motions of the hands and wrists.
Must be able to perform medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Must possess the close visual acuity to operate a computer terminal and perform extensive reading.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes: Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System; Orange County contributes 12.
85% of your base salary per pay period and 14.
10% for LEO.
Health Insurance (Medical) Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
Dental Insurance Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
Vision Insurance Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
Life Insurance Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees’ salary up to $50,000.
Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
Short Term Disability Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans Orange County contributes $29.
15 per pay period ($757.
90 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
Orange County contributes up to an additional $67 ($1742 annually) for voluntary supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
12 Paid Holidays Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year) Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees) 0-2 Years of Service = 125.
84 hours/year 2-5 Years of Service = 145.
08 hours/year 5-10 Years of Service = 173.
68 hours/year 10-15 Years of Service = 202.
80 hours/year 15-20 Years of Service = 231.
40 hours/year 20+ Years of Service = 260.
52 hours/year Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule) 96.
2 hours/year Tuition reimbursement assistance Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.