Climate Policy Advisor

at  City of Surrey

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, City of Surrey is a globally recognized leader in building vibrant, sustainable communities through technology and innovation. City of Surrey employees are talented innovators, inspired by meaningful work and the opportunity to drive our city—and their careers—forward. Build a City. Build a Future at the City of Surrey.
Employment Status
Exempt - Term (2 Years)
Scope
We are recruiting for an accomplished climate policy professional to play a lead role in shaping climate action in one of Canada’s fastest growing municipalities. As the Climate Policy Advisor reporting to the Policy Planning Manager, in the Community Planning and Sustainability Division, you will be part of a cohesive, dynamic team of climate planners dedicated to putting the City on track to meet the City’s climate commitments. You will bring a wealth of expertise to develop and implement policy, programs, and projects to reduce community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, often overlapping with improving climate resilience. Surrey’s rapid growth and increasing commitment to climate action, bolstered by the City’s Climate Change Action Strategy (CCAS), offers you the opportunity in this role to influence the climate program, learn from and contribute to a network of large cities across North America, and make an impact on one of the biggest challenges of our times.
Responsibilities
You bring strategic vision and the ability to manage a demanding portfolio to deliver measurable results.
The role involves considerable cross-departmental collaboration, and liaison with local government peer networks, senior governments, utilities, and key community stakeholders including the building industry, academia, business and economic organizations, and NGOs.
Key responsibilities associated with this role will likely include, but are not limited to: Providing advice regarding current knowledge and best practices in key opportunities of the zero-carbon transition. Providing advice and leading development of policies, regulations, and programs for reducing emissions, particularly from buildings and on-road transportation. Updating the City’s community GHG inventory. Leading, developing, and supporting updates to regulations, policies, and incentives for building decarbonization and improving resilience through standards and strategic program design for new and existing buildings, in collaboration with the Building Division. Integrating climate mitigation and adaptation in the updates of the Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and Neighbourhood Concept Plans, in collaboration with Community Planning staff. Providing general advice and expertise to inform community scale renewable energy programs, including liaison with BC Hydro on supply and distribution considerations for electrification, on-site and decentralized energy production opportunities, renewable fuels, and electric vehicle charging. Coordinating with BC Hydro, reporting on workplan priorities and progress, and participating in training and events, as a part of the Community Energy Manager peer network.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate can demonstrate the following qualifications:
Master’s degree with a specialization in climate policy, sustainability, environmental science, environmental engineering, resource management, or a similar field, and at least five years of progressive, applied relevant experience (a combination of equivalent education and experience may be considered).
Considerable experience in leading, coordinating, developing, and implementing policy, strategies and programs supporting emissions reduction across land use, buildings, and transportation sectors, including knowledge of relevant regulations at the municipal, regional, provincial, and federal government levels.
Experience in project management, business case development, budget and contract management.
Knowledge of the principles, processes and practices of community climate policy development and strategic planning.
Experience in undertaking and reporting on community GHG inventories, including quality assurance of related modelling and data, and liaising with the appropriate provincial and federal agencies to acquire and share data and knowledge.
Knowledge and experience in developing and implementing building decarbonization policies, strategies and programs.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including facilitation, collaboration, conflict resolution and relationship building.
Ability to work independently and effectively manage time and deliver on commitments.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
Other Information
Number of Job Openings: 1
Pay Grade: P2
Annual Rate: $104,807 - $123,302
Conditions of Employment
Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.
Closing Date
This job will be posted until October 11, 2024.
Our Values
Integrity - Service - Teamwork - Innovation - Communit

Please refer the Job description for details