City of Arvada

Salary-  $74,382.00 - $101,706.00 Annually

Closing- 11/18/2022 11:59 PM Mountain

Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity.  

Position Purpose

The City of Arvada is seeking a Sr. Sustainability Coordinator to develop and deliver sustainability programs and policies in the areas of energy, transportation, water, and climate change mitigation.

This newly created position is joining a dynamic and community-focused Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods team and will perform a variety of professional duties to coordinate and manage projects designed to develop, enhance and grow the City’s sustainability program and associated actions. The position will develop and lead the implementation of the City’s Sustainability Plan and will work to promote awareness and inspire action for sustainability initiatives both internal to the city organization and within the community. 

Additionally, the Sr. Sustainability Coordinator will represent Arvada in stakeholder discussions and will coordinate with internal and external parties on sustainability topics. The Sr. Sustainability Coordinator will serve as staff liaison to the Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee, one of Arvada’s City Council-appointed community advisory boards. 

Success in this role will require collaboration and the ability to develop consensus when developing policies, procedures and action-oriented efforts that align with the community’s vision for a sustainable Arvada for all, now and in the future. 

Ideal Candidate:

• Self-starter with the ability to develop programs from idea to implementation 
• Excellent public speaking/presentation skills
• Subject matter expertise in sustainability matters related to energy, transportation, buildings, water, and waste
• Subject matter expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion in the context of sustainability, resilience, and climate action
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of complex datasets 
• Experience with developing and tracking performance indicators
• Experience in verbal and graphic communications (infographics, technical reports, public newsletters, etc.) 
• Experience in public engagement (surveying, facilitating public meetings, focus groups, social media, etc.)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leads the strategic development and implementation of Arvada’s sustainability plan. 
• Serves as the staff liaison to the Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee (ASAC).
• Tracks and reports progress and develops measurable outcomes for climate action plan, community outreach, water conservation and air quality goals, among others using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Analyzes complex challenges and produces well-thought-out solutions that maximize environmental, economic, and social outcomes for the community and organization.
• Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, document performance trends, and recommends and implements modifications to improve program effectiveness.
• Represents Arvada’s sustainability programs to the public; shares successes, attends professional meetings; interfaces with external organizations to ensure cooperative efforts are enhanced and available resources are utilized.
• Provides policy and best practice recommendations to all levels of the organization and community on sustainability issues.
• Develops and manages various contracts to implement city projects and programs.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets and grants; monitors, verifies and reconciles expenditures of budgeted funds as appropriate. 
• Coordinates with project managers from various departments to advance sustainability goals for the city; Lead and organize teams.
• Coordinates with the city’s Communications team to craft messaging and outreach material related to sustainability.
• Travels to/attends meetings, training or events that occur off-site on a routine basis as needed to perform essential functions.. 
• Assists with other city manager’s office responsibilities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the perspectives of diverse and under-represented communities in the considerations of the impacts and outcomes of decision making processes. 
• Demonstrates a respectful attitude towards customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service. 
• Acts with the customer in mind, responds to requests promptly and provides effective services or solutions for customers.
• Exercises appropriate level of initiative and judgment to make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Solid knowledge of urban sustainability including experience developing and implementing programs and policy.
• Solid expertise in community engagement and strategic communication.
• Solid knowledge of local, regional and/or national sustainability policies and programs and strong understanding of how they are related.
• Solid knowledge of current environmental, economic and social sustainability issues, best practices, and trends.
• Strong customer service and problem resolution skills working with internal and external customers.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to engage and work with staff at all levels within different City departments.
• Solid knowledge and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite and PowerPoint.
• Solid knowledge of statistical, mathematical, and financial tools to analyze data, determine the feasibility of sustainable programs, and prepare detailed narrative and/or statistical reports, along with ongoing management of databases.
• Solid researching and analyzing data related to sustainability, energy efficiency, and conservation.
• Solid experience successfully leading strategic planning efforts that define goals, performance metrics, and long range visions for sustainability at the municipal level. 
• Strong knowledge of sustainability principles, practices, codes and standards, as applied to the delivery of projects.
• Advanced oral, written and public speaking/presentation skills. 
• Ability to interact with large groups and with boards and elected officials in public hearing settings. 
• Solid experience working effectively with elected officials, boards and commissions.
• Demonstrated creative thinking and problem solving in the development of plans and programs.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Solid experience facilitating and consensus building with diverse stakeholders and interest groups.
• Experience tracking and reporting on progress towards achievement of measurable goals and targets using both qualitative and quantitative data. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and local government structure and services.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Occasional weekend and evening hours worked to attend meetings and community festivals or events. 
• Other duties as required.
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—Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job—

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Receives limited supervision under the Director of Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods. Plans own work to meet defined work plans and objectives. Few precedents and/or procedures are readily available. Originates and develops complex ideas in new and undefined areas based on organizational policy, codes, ordinance, goals or objectives. 

Financial Accountability:

Responsible for making decisions that affect the outcome of allocations of money for Sustain Arvada projects and programs. Makes recommendations to the Director of VCN for grant and budget allocations relating to sustainability.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with occasional field work and low to moderate noise levels. Physical effort and activities include: occasionally operating a personal or City-owned motor vehicle to drive to and from meetings and business locations; constant talking, hearing and listening, frequent use of use hands/fingers to handle or manipulate objects; frequent sitting; standing, and walking, and occasional reaching with hands and arms; visual acuity to focus on details at a close distance and make general observations; frequent handling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds, and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Works and attends meetings on evenings and weekends as required. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE):

Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Engineering or related field required. Minimum four (4) years of professional-level experience in sustainability program administration that involve direct contact with the public and/or employees of an organization. Experience developing, maintaining, and/or managing environmentally sustainable practices and/or programs involving the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. 

Vision Mission Values

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity

The City’s Core values are in every employee’s individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values. 

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City’s values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City’s policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143. 

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values: 

Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. 

Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence. 

Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.