The San Mateo County Sustainability Department hires Sustainability Specialists II/III to coordinate and lead sustainability initiatives in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, waste diversion and management, and climate readiness. The Department includes the following program areas:
Climate Protection – The program accelerates the County’s and countywide transition to a fossil fuel-free future with high-impact initiatives in clean energy, zero emission buildings and transportation, and climate beneficial agricultural practices.
Waste Reduction and Management – The program advances the County’s commitment to zero waste through innovative source reduction, diversion and sustainable materials management programs across County operations and the broader San Mateo County community. The program provides essential integrated solid waste management and community services for residents and businesses in the County’s unincorporated areas and manages the Pescadero Transfer Station.
Climate Resilience – The program builds a climate-ready San Mateo County by improving watershed water quality, reducing emissions and climate risks in County operations, and championing regional and community-led solutions to protect residents and ecosystems from escalating impacts of extreme heat, drought, sea level rise, and wildfires.
Communications and Engagement – The program empowers youth leadership by leading climate science education for San Mateo County youth in grades 7-12 in partnership with local public and environmental organizations and facilitates action by community partners and the public through outreach and other engagement initiatives.
CURRENT OPENING: There is currently one (1) Sustainability Specialist vacancy on the Climate Protection program team. This position will coordinate the implementation of several sub-programs for the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and/or the San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) programs.
Example of duties supporting the BayREN program:
- Collaborate with local government staff to bring BayREN and other energy-efficiency and electrification programs to communities in San Mateo County.
- Participate on regional committees to develop and execute strategies for implementing BayREN’s single-family, multi-family, commercial, codes & standards, public agency, and/or green labeling programs.
- Engage building staff at the County and the 20 San Mateo County cities, providing trainings about energy codes and support for simplifying permitting.
Example of duties supporting the SMCEW program:
- Help K-12 public school districts, local governments, special districts, and small businesses identify opportunities to save energy and access energy efficiency, electrification, and energy management programs and financing.
- Host a quarterly Public Facilities Working Group for facilities staff with technical support from consultants.
- Catalog methane gas equipment and update energy benchmarking information on the EPA Portfolio Manager online platform.
The specific assignment will be determined based on the experience and skills of the selected candidate.