Careers
BC Local Government Job Posting Service
The City of Richmond is a diverse and dynamic community in pursuit of our vision
to be the most appealing, livable and well-managed community in Canada.
People l Excellence l Leadership l Team l Innovation
Imagine a career with the City of Richmond, a dynamic environment for growth and continuous improvement, fostered by our collective strengths and creativity. We are a vibrant, diverse cosmopolitan city, supported by a strong economy and recognized as leaders in innovation and service delivery excellence. The City of Richmond is committed to be the most appealing, livable, well-managed community in Canada, a goal that is only made possible by developing our most valuable asset – our people. This is a great opportunity to join our team and shape our community.
Senior Climate Action Specialist (Existing Buildings)
Overview
Reporting directly to the Sustainability Manager, the Senior Climate Action Specialist will develop and implement comprehensive, impactful multi-year strategies and actions that accelerate retrofits of existing buildings, with a target to achieve zero emission space heating and hot water equipment, and enhanced thermal comfort. Early actions include introducing programs for both strata and rental apartment buildings, potentially in partnership with other agencies and funders, as well as supporting local rollout of energy benchmarking and reporting requirements for larger buildings, including potential financing options and incentive programs accessible to building owners. A diverse range of people and organizations will be engaged in this role, including building occupants, owners and managers, renovators and mechanical system installers, housing providers, provincial utilities and government representatives. This position will also support development of a robust citywide spatial database of buildings, with visualization capability, which will assist program development, implementation and reporting on retrofit initiatives, including equity outcomes regarding inclusivity of new programs and initiatives, improved affordability, and resiliency to the negative impacts of climate change.
To achieve Richmond’s 50% by 2030 emission reduction target, significant progress must be achieved in retrofitting and decarbonising existing residential, commercial and industrial buildings at a scale and pace that greatly exceeds current conditions. This role is key in achieving this citywide objective.
You will be part of a motivated and supportive team, within a work environment that welcomes and respects diverse identities, perspectives, experiences and ideas, ensuring that all employees feel respected, valued, and have equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Leading the development of new policies, programs and strategies, including supporting regulation where appropriate, involving sector-specific stakeholders and local citizens.
- Designing and facilitating community and stakeholder engagement processes (e.g., organizing groups, information-sharing, visioning, consensus building and leading engagement programs) to support successful implementation of programs and policies.
- Understanding the interplay of social, economic and environmental considerations in developing new policies, action roadmaps and pilot programs as part of Community Energy & Emissions Plan (CEEP) implementation.
- Integrating climate equity, wellness, fairness and inclusion when implementing specific CEEP 2050 actions, and shaping diverse, externally focused initiatives.
- Developing policies, programs and strategies addressing climate change, and work with staff as needed to shape and inform these initiatives.
- Integrating and supporting connections, alignment and synergies with other approved City plans on transportation and land use (e.g. Offical Community Plan), economic development, Provincial energy and emission performance codes (e.g. BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Codes), as well as affordable housing and rental housing strategies, the Richmond homelessness strategy, actions to reduce and prevent poverty, and community wellness programs in Richmond.
- Ensuring that new policies, programs and incentive programs are inclusive and broadly available in the community, particularly with respect to initiatives targeting resiliency to climate change and achieving better health and occupant comfort outcomes.
- Creating terms of reference and project scope for consulting contracts, agreements for provision of services supporting climate action programs, as well as joint funding agreements with utilities, other local governments and/or non-governmental organizations.
- Appling for and administering external grant applications, funding offers and incentive programs, in collaboration with other City staff and Intergovernmental Affairs, as approved by the Sustainability Manager.
- Setting priorities for the department's annual programs and budget with respect to the implementation of actions from the City’s climate action plan (CEEP).
- Managing, and further developing as needed, key indicators of progress on implementation of CEEP directions and actions, including community GHG emission reduction targets noted in the Official Community Plan.
- Undertaking research, policy and program development and implementation on a range of complex and, at times, politically sensitive climate actions related to land use, housing affordability, social and environmental issues.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication, and advanced presentation skills, including a demonstrated ability to translate technical information into materials that can be easily understood by the intended audience.
- Strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively navigate complex situations and accomplish goals.
- Ability to effectively negotiate complex issues with developers, property managers, strata councils and/or resident associations in the best interests of the City as part of implementing climate action policies, programs and pilot initiatives in the community.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and foster a respectful and inclusive workplace while occasionally navigating sensitive and political aspects that may affect decisions.
- Ability to focus on details, while maintaining a balanced, high-level view of a project or initiative.
- Well-developed research and analytical skills to support informed consideration and evaluation of options / pathways and trade-offs regarding new climate action policies, programs or regulation.
- Experience in resolving conflicts and a demonstrated ability to avoid or mitigate potential pitfalls while identifying viable paths forward for all parties involved, while meeting the City's interests.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Master’s Degree or Bachelors’ Degree with professional certification (or eligibility to be certified) is required.
- A minimum of five (5) to eight (8) years’ experience in in Urban Planning, Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, Building Science or a related discipline is preferred, preferably in municipal government.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Working Conditions:
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Duties are predominantly office-based with frequent requirements to work cross-departmentally with other staff, and externally with stakeholders, property owners, representatives from the development community and the general public. There is an opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement upon approval.
The City of Richmond offers a competitive pay and benefits program, attractive incentives and a compressed work day schedule. If you are looking to make a difference, and to share our vision “to be the most appealing, livable, and well-managed community in Canada,” please submit your application by following the instructions below:
The City of Richmond uses an applicant tracking system for candidates wishing to view and apply for available career opportunities. For further information regarding position details and to apply, please visit our website at https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/careers.htm.
We are accepting applications until May 15, 2024.
The City of Richmond is an inclusive employer committed to employment equity objectives and invites applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those under consideration will be contacted. If you are unsuccessful, please accept our appreciation for your interest. No telephone inquiries please.
This position is restricted to those legally entitled to work in Canada.
Employment Length: Temporary
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Experience: 5 years or more
Rate: $53.45 to $63.23 Hour
