Program Specialist (Climate Action & Sustainability) 

The Public Works Department is seeking a Program Specialist to be part of the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability section. The section's work includes implementing the City’s ambitious Climate Implementation Work Plan, advancing the City’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, and establishing centralized climate leadership across the City organization. Under direction of the Climate Action Lead, the Program Specialist performs responsible administrative and professional sustainability program work; provides supervision to assigned staff; plans, directs, and supervises major activities and projects within the Climate Implementation Work Plan; supports diverse teams to overcome complex challenges and institutionalize sustainability; develops and implements climate action and sustainability policies; and engages City departments, community members, partner agencies, and a wide array of private and public organizations and businesses.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
 

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of sustainability issues, sustainability policy, climate change, and resilience, particularly within local government settings. They should have experience managing and leading diverse teams, implementing sustainability programs, and navigating complex situations to achieve an ambitious work plan. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential, along with experience working with grants and various funding sources. The candidate should be adaptable, solutions-oriented, and collaborative, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain a positive attitude and constructive relationships in challenging situations.

Under general direction the Program Specialist plans, directs, and supervises all of the activities of a major department or Citywide program or project with moderate visibility and impact; conducts studies and makes recommendations; monitors program compliance; represents the department in contacts with media, internal and external agencies, and organizations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This advanced journey level class in the professional series is populated with multiple incumbents. The Program Specialist is distinguished from the next lower class of Program Analyst in that the Program Specialist manages multiple programs or moderately visible programs with greater department or Citywide impact. This class is distinguished from the next higher classification of Program Manager in that the Manager is responsible for administration and management of programs and projects with high visibility and substantial Citywide impact.

This class is distinguished from the class of Administrative Officer in that the latter is responsible for all internal administrative functions for a department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by a department or division head. Some assignments require responsibility for direct or indirect supervision of lower level professional, technical, and clerical personnel. Some positions function as internal consultants and require coordination among multiple divisions in a department.

• Plans, coordinates, and administers, a project or program with department or Citywide impact; supervises, trains and evaluates the work of professional, technical and clerical staff.
   
• Confers with department heads, division managers, members of professional staff, and other officials concerning the administrative needs and requirements related to the program or project; represents the program in contacts with news media, business and civic organizations, other City departments, and various outside public and private agencies.
   
• Interprets new policies, procedures, and regulations, and develops new or amended programs or projects as need dictates, monitors program objectives to assure compliance with State and administrative regulations and program guidelines.
   
• Conducts studies and surveys, performs research and analysis and prepares recommendations for department management; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness and outcomes; creates and implements program policies and procedures; develops guidelines, forms and related documents.
   
• Reviews grant opportunities; compiles and analyzes information for preparation of grants, contracts and agreements; negotiates terms; implements, monitors and prepares reports on conduct and performance of grants.
   
• Identifies program, project or system enhancements; selects and coordinates installation of new and revised programs and systems.
   
• Provides exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
   
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and governmental finance, budgeting, and accounting.
   
• Procurement methods.
   
• Research techniques, methods and procedures.
   
• Methods and practices of modern office management.
   
• Principles and practices of program management and administration.
   
• Technical report writing.
   
• Methods of analysis.
   
• Principles and practices of supervision.

Skill in:

• Managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
   
• Customer service, including dealing with people under stress, and problem solving.
   
• Use of computers, computer applications, and software.

Ability to:

• Effectively plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive program with a broad scope and high degree of complexity.
   
• Supervise and direct professional, technical, and clerical staff.
   
• Analyze fiscal problems and make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
   
• Make effective presentations to public officials, committees, and outside agencies.
   
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
   
• Prepare technical and analytic reports.
   
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
   
• Make program or project changes based on analysis of results, new legislation, or departmental changes.
   
• Meet multiple deadlines.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Four years of progressively responsible professional-level administrative experience.

-AND-

Education:

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a closely related field.

Note:  It is highly desirable the required years of professional-level experience be attained in a governmental jurisdiction.  

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.