New Job Environmental Performance Officer - Climate Change Specialist In Nova Scotia

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for two (2) permanent positions of Environmental Performance Officer - Climate Change Specialist, with the Environment & Climate Change division of Planning & Development. We encourage applications from African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women (applying for non-traditional positions), persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. HRM encourages applicants to self-identify.

One of these two positions will focus on community climate and energy policy and programming. The other position will focus on mainstreaming climate action internally across the organization, and will work in measuring and reporting on progress towards our climate targets.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Duties

• Assists with all aspects of the implementation of HalifACT - Acting on Climate Together, Halifax's new climate action plan.
• Collects, prepares, writes and organizes memos, reports and presentations.
• Provides strategic direction toward ensuring that environmental services are aligned with Council Priority Outcome Areas, Administrative Priorities, and the Planning & Development budget and business plan.
• Identifies and advances opportunities to improve understanding and awareness of climate change with other HRM business units, Council and members of the public.
• Facilitates teams and stakeholder groups to build relationships and achieve positive outcomes.
• Represents the division in various public forums.
• Liaises and communicates with stakeholders and groups, HRM Boards, Committees, Community Councils and Regional Council.
• Assists in the preparation of Regional Council Reports and other public documents.
• Coordinates and administers the activities of consultants and contractors.
• Coordinates with technical support staff, e.g. GIS mapping technicians and summer staff.
• Assists with the preparation of proposals, funding applications, tender documents, reports and price agreements for climate services.

Specific Duties

• Community climate and energy policy and programming focus:
• Works on environmental policies, projects and programs to support community-wide climate action, such as the Retrofit, Renewables and Resilience Program under development and the electric vehicle strategy.
• Liaises with other business units and external agencies, community groups, residents, consultants, non-profits, other levels of government and other key stakeholders in developing community climate policies and programs to achieve HalifACT targets and objectives.
• Supports the integration and scaling up of renewable energy throughout HRM (e.g. Solar City program and community solar)

HalifACT project management & reporting focus

• Initiates, implements, coordinates and administers climate-related KPIs, measurements and data for corporate environmental and sustainability reporting and related efforts.
• Liaises with other business units and external agencies, developers, consultants, groups and departments in the implementation of HalifACT.
• Leads the external HalifACT stakeholder network
• Manages environmental projects and programs.
• Supports the development and coordination of HalifACT-related governance committees.
• Supports the mainstreaming of climate action across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• University Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other related degree;
• An applied environment, science, or engineering degree may also be considered;
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in directly related environment and climate change work, and
• Experience following accepted protocols and standards to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and climate mitigation and adaptation actions.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of environmental sustainability and environmental performance measurement.
• Knowledge of provincial and federal environmental regulations and acts.
• Knowledge of municipal acts, by-laws, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation science, issues, policies, programs and plans.
• Understanding of current and predicted future climate change risks at the local, provincial, national and international scales.
• Awareness of current climate change efforts in HRM, NS, nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge of greenhouse gas measurement and methodologies, including the Partners for Climate Protection, Global Covenant of Mayors, Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GPC) and City Disclosure Project protocol.
• Ability to conduct corporate and community greenhouse gas inventories, track progress on reduction targets and recommend actions for reductions.
• Knowledge of best management practices for environmental protection.
• Possesses excellent communication and engagement skills.
• Proficient with computers with strong working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, databases and environmental performance measuring and reporting.
• Financial and policy analysis skills are considered an asset.
• Experience in collective impact considered an asset.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

HRM takes the health and safety of its job applicants and employees seriously. Where possible, recruitment testing and interviews will be done by way of phone, video conference, or other virtual means to assist with and encourage social distancing. For applicants with concerns about computer or internet access or to request another accommodation to the recruitment process, please contact your HR representative or [email protected].

Competencies: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Customer Service, Networking/Relationship Building, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: Permanent, full time

HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week

SALARY: Level 10, NSUPE $40.32/hr

WORK LOCATION: 2nd Floor, Alderney Drive, Dartmouth

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 p.m. on October 24, 2021.

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.

(position #s78608755, 78626544)