Climate and Energy Coordinator - Job ID 59125

The Climate and Energy Coordinator will play a vital role in coordinating the state’s efforts to understand, characterize, mitigate, and manage the human health and environmental risks from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. The position exists to advise the Agency on climate change mitigation policy and coordinate policy and program development, including integrating environmental justice and equity into this work. The position is also integral to interagency coordination to address climate change and reduce emissions.

As one of the leaders of climate work for the state, you will serve as the lead of the MPCA Climate and Energy Planning Team and assist with the Climate Change Subcabinet Planning Team, which includes senior leadership from other state agencies to promote an integrated response to climate change issues. This position will also assist or lead other interagency climate teams organized under the Climate Change Subcabinet, as assigned. You will attend meetings of these teams to lead or assist in developing inter-agency mitigation policies, and act as primary liaison between them.

You are the primary contact/liaison for internal MPCA programs as they work to consider climate change mitigation and GHG emission reductions in their work. You will lead development of climate change mitigation programs, rulemaking, and other regulatory and non-regulatory efforts. You will also serve as a conduit for information between the MPCA and external parties – other states, Tribal Nations, multi-state associations, EPA, stakeholders, legislators, etc. – on issues related to climate change and GHG emission reduction efforts. You will lead public engagement and input efforts and develop and maintain partnerships.

The MPCA is a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive working environment. The MPCA leads coordination across agencies to reduce emissions and build resiliency across all parts of Minnesota’s economy and this job is positioned in the middle of much of that work. The work is always changing, so you will always have new things to learn and will have opportunities to lead in addressing climate change in Minnesota.

Four years of advanced professional experience coordinating and developing large-scope, long-range plans for environmental, natural resources, other related governmental area (Advanced professional-level experience within the MPCA is equivalent to a Planner Sr. or higher-level) and have a strong understanding of environmental regulatory structures, climate change mitigation principles, GHG emission sources and reduction opportunities, the intersection between climate change and environmental justice, and the functionality of government at the state and federal levels in order to effectively function as a project coordinator. (OR)

Bachelor’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, environmental policy or an environmental science, environmental health, or related general science field and three years advanced environmental and planning experience as described above. (OR)

A Master’s degree in public heath, public policy, public administration, environmental policy or an environmental science, environmental health, or related general science filed and two years of advanced environmental and planning experience as described above. WITH

Highly effective communication skills, good writing skills, and excellent project planning and collaboration skills to lead engagement efforts and build internal and external networks.

Ability to:

*** We encourage candidates to include a cover letter along with their information when applying for this position.

Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small equipment.

A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check.

Requires a Class D Driver's License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver's license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups, and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure pollution does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax deferred compensation, generous vacation, and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year. Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence, and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.