Job Details
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks an Assistant Director of Clean Energy who will support the Clean Energy Director in overseeing the department and leading projects. MAPC’s Clean Energy Department includes up to eight full-time staff and supports communities and the Commonwealth in developing plans, programs, and policies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build a more equitable and climate resilient region. The Assistant Director will lead and manage a variety of projects to advance building electrification and energy efficiency, electric vehicles, renewable energy, climate resiliency, and green workforce development, all of which advance the goal of a net zero region. The Assistant Director will also develop innovative strategies and funding proposals to support state and local clean energy and climate policy development. This position will supervise several full-time staff on the team and provide operations and communications management for the team. This position reports to the Director of Clean Energy.
Responsibilities (including but not limited to)
- Supervise several professional Clean Energy staff in ways that generate a positive and collaborative team culture, including reviewing and providing constructive feedback on the work of team members;
- Lead and manage projects with municipalities and other partners to develop equitable plans, policies, and programs to advance renewable energy, energy efficiency, vehicle electrification, resilience, and other climate goals;
- Apply for grants state and federal resources, and other funding opportunities to develop new or enhance existing clean energy and climate planning work;
- Co-develop the department’s annual work plan and related strategy with the team;
- Improve operations and communications within Clean Energy and with other departments; help to manage the budget, oversee projects, and track workload; and help to operationalize equity within the department;
- Develop and recommend changes in state policies, programs, and funding priorities to advance sustainability and equity throughout the Commonwealth;
- Research, write, prepare, design, and present reports, briefs, and other materials to relevant stakeholders, including municipal boards and staff;
- Organize in-person and virtual clean energy and climate-related forums, events, and workshops, presenting content and facilitating public and working group discussions;
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to help municipalities evaluate and develop strategies to meet their climate and equity goals;
- Cultivate close working relationships and collaboration between MAPC and municipal partners, community groups, utilities, state and federal agencies (including energy and environmental agencies), advocates, foundations, other Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) and other relevant stakeholders; and
- Undertake other responsibilities as needed to achieve the goals of MetroCommon2050.
Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are responsibilities for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and Bluebikes membership.
Candidates for this position must have either a Master’s degree plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience OR a Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in urban/regional planning, policy, public administration, clean energy, environmental or climate science, or a related field. Candidates must have at least one year of experience directly supervising or closely mentoring one or more staff.
The successful applicant will demonstrate all or most of the following:
- Deep content expert and strategic thinker in the clean energy and climate field who has developed a network of relationships in relevant sectors;
- Strong clean energy and climate planning experience grounded in local or state government;
- Demonstrated success influencing public policy and/or community plans and programs to achieve clean energy and climate goals;
- Experience advocating for greater equity in the climate, energy, and sustainability space and fluency discussing various types of diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g., racial, ethnic, linguistic, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation);
- Proven ability to convey energy and climate topics, issues, and data to a wide variety of audiences, including municipal staff, state agencies, community groups, and elected and appointed officials;
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, including experience with the media and navigating energy and climate data and trends;
- Experience managing, leading and/or mentoring diverse staff and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and build a supportive team culture;
- Project management and leadership experience, demonstrating ability to prepare work plans, budgets, reports, and meet deadlines;
- Experience with community engagement, facilitation, and working effectively with community-based organizations, state agencies, municipalities, advocacy groups, and communities of color;
- Experience analyzing and using quantitative data sets to support plan and policy development; and
- Track record of raising grant funds, securing new contracts, and developing other opportunities to support and advance departmental activities and foster relationships with foundations, agencies, and other funders.
NOTE: Interested applicants who meet most but not all the qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including the Bivalent booster. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.
Starting salary ranges from $95,000-$105,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request must be completed if offered this position. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at MAPC, but it will be reviewed based on the position and other elements of an applicant’s resume.