Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability #2209-0993-01

This is a mayoral-appointed management position in a challenging work environment requiring strong administrative skills to direct and coordinate resources in addressing climate and other environmental sustainability policies and practices in the City of New Haven. Special focus is on addressing the health and economic impacts of climate change on already distressed populations from COVID-19 and other factors.

This position reports directly to the Mayor and Chief of Staff and will provide a key new role in working not only with New Haven city departments, but also with community members and organizations to help manage a city-wide climate emergency and sustainability portfolio. The position may also report to other individuals in the organization as designated by the Mayor and/or Chief of Staff. The position will focus on the impact of the climate emergency not only on City operations but also the broad community in balancing the City’s shared objectives for a healthy environment, an excellent quality of life, and continued economic vitality.

• Builds upon New Haven’s past success with individual environmentally-sound and sustainable public policies through dedicated staff and programs tasked with responding to the climate emergency particularly through the lens of economic and health impacts of disadvantaged communities.
• Builds upon the existing Climate and Sustainability Framework to implement the vision, mission, and objectives of a city-wide sustainability program uniquely suited to New Haven’s character and built on prior environmental accomplishments.
• Focuses on identifying, planning for, implementing and evaluating policies, practices and programs that balance the City’s shared objectives for a healthy environment, an excellent quality of life, and continued economic vitality.
• Forms and facilitates an inter-department team of city employees that provides regular input, direction, review and communication on sustainability issues across the organization.
• Identifies city-wide goals and works with city departments to establish and then accomplish appropriate milestones that address the climate emergency through both prevention and mitigation of climate impacts, establishing clear metrics for measuring success that prioritize health and economic outcomes for vulnerable populations.
• Researches, recommends, and implements new programs.
• Coordinates and communicates the City’s portfolio of sustainability programs as assigned with individuals at all levels in the City’s organization, and with the media.
• Tasks and projects as assigned by the Mayor, Chief of Staff, or other designee.

Graduation from an accredited college or university; master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Management, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Architecture or a related field preferred. Two to five years of supervisory experience in a sustainability setting are also not required but preferred. Experience with media and communications strategy is also desirable. Ability to communicate in Spanish and GIS skills are a plus but are not required.

Must also possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Familiarity with the most current concepts of conservation, climate mitigation, and sustainable practices including but not limited to: energy conservation, decarbonization, air quality, heat mitigation, climate health impacts, economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities, green building, resource and water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, renewable resources, and environmental reporting metrics.
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment and leadership skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials and personnel at differing levels of local, state, and federal government.
• Ability to exercise excellent verbal, written and spoken communication skills with public officials, individuals at all levels in the City’s organization, and with the media.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced level skills in abilities in word processing, document preparation, spreadsheet management, cost-benefit analysis and environmental project financing.

This position is covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening, (3) registration in the New Haven COVID Vaccination/Testing portal and providing proof of Vaccination status, as per the Mandatory COVID Vaccination/Testing Policy, and (4) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.
Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.