Climate Action Project Manager

Job Description:

Climate Action Project Manager

Description

Climate Action Project Manager ( Senior Project Manager - FES)

Department of Facilities & Environmental Services

12 Months, Full-Time

Exempt, Pay Grade 35

VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

General Definition of Work:

We are looking for a dynamic Project Manager to join our Climate Action team. You’ll be responsible for managing a variety of projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community, to build resilience to the local impacts of climate change, and to help Albemarle County local government lead by example. Because you’ll play a vital role in the success of local climate action initiatives that depend on coordination with multiple stakeholders, candidates should have excellent project-management, communication, and facilitation skills, working knowledge of best practices in local climate action, and a collaborative demeanor that will support teamwork on complex projects. To ensure success as a Project Manager with our Climate Action Program, you’ll be detail-oriented, collaborative, excellent at multi-tasking, skilled in workload planning, and able to take a task from concept to implementation with minimal supervision. Albemarle County is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply in that spirit.

Please note: This is a revision to the previously posted Climate Action Specialist position.

Job Summary/ Objective:

The position is primarily responsible for managing the planning, scheduling, coordinating, and implementation of projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community and build resilience to the local impacts of climate change.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May supervise hourly employees and interns, as required.

Essential Functions:

• Performs project management responsibilities for multiple interrelated projects that support implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan and the forthcoming Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan as appropriate, including project schedule, budget and quality through project initiation, design, procurement, construction and close out; projects may require public input, multiple process teams, and multiple groups of project stakeholders and potentially multiple contracts.
• Engages County staff throughout the departments to integrate climate action principles into departments, policies, programs, and projects. Elements for consideration include the root causes of the climate crisis; systemic shifts in consumption, transportation, land use, energy infrastructure, agriculture, and waste; and supporting community member capacity-building for change.
• Conducts research on best practices and new opportunities for projects and programs, including community-level behavior change.
• Leads or engages with internal, local, and regional stakeholders on climate issues, including planning, project development and delivery, technical assistance, program communication, trainings/workshops, public education and outreach.
• Provides support for climate action related events, trainings/workshops, public education/outreach, and other stakeholder/community engagement.
• Establishes and maintains methodologies and systems to collect, track, and disseminate information pertinent to the climate program. Examples include inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, emission reduction forecasting models, and dashboards reflecting progress in implementing climate actions.
• Collects and communicates relevant project information to leaders, process owners and project stakeholders; develops and administers a schedule and budget using appropriate software to schedule activities, identify critical paths and required resources, and takes the lead role in monthly reporting to ensure objectives are implemented on time and within budget.
• Advises and assists departments in the preparation of project plans, focus groups, stakeholder groups; drives collaboration between related departments and functions.
• Manages multiple departmental or cross-departmental teams, directing work plans of team members and balancing competing priorities.
• May serve as the project spokesperson on behalf of the County or prepare Executive Board Reports as required for executive board and Board of Supervisor meetings; participates in Executive Leadership and Organizational Leadership Team Meetings, as needed.
• Demonstrates and follows the Albemarle County Pillars of High Performance as all County employees are stakeholders, who share leadership, ownership, and responsibility for the County's vision, mission, core values, and strategic goals.
• Performs other duties as required.

Desired Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the basic principles of climate science and of the best practices of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
• Analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities, including experience with systems analysis and root cause analysis of the climate crisis.
• Policy knowledge, including local regulatory frameworks and socio-economic drivers.
• Experience leading systemic shifts in consumption, transportation, land use, energy infrastructure to reduce GHG emissions and support resiliency
• Experience integrating climate action principles into organizational and/or county/municipal policy, programs, and/or projects.
• Experience developing inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, emission reduction forecasting models, and dashboards reflecting progress in implementing climate actions.
• Use a variety of software packages including word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs, database programs, and MS Project.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to express ideas clearly and concisely to both individuals and groups, and in public
• Professional-level writing skills appropriate for correspondence, reports, action plans and responses to various County sources, outside agencies and the public
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with terminology, practices and techniques of strategic planning and project management
• Experience developing project budgets and schedules, including the critical path method (CPM)
• Deal tactfully and effectively with people using a high level of emotional intelligence to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County leaders and staff at all levels, elected officials, and the public, and to guide and strongly facilitate the efforts of teams and workgroups; Firmly resolve conflict and inspire teamwork.

Required Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Policy, Planning, Data Analytics, Sustainable Finance, Renewable Energy Engineering or other related field.
• Minimum of five years of professional work in project management, program management, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Policy, Planning, Data Analytics, Finance, or other related field,

• Experience in climate action or environmental program implementation for a local, state, or federal agency, nonprofit, or other organization.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Hybrid telework option offered. Works typically sitting in an office with occasional walking, light lifting and other limited physical activities.
• Regular contact with department leadership staff including County Executive's Office is necessary.
• Occasional travel within the County and regionally is necessary.
• Occasional work activity after normal duty hours and on weekends is necessary.

Remote Work:

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Salary Range:

The hiring range for this position is $84,917 - $93,855 per year. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Position open until Friday, October 10, 2025.

***TO APPLY: Both a resume and cover letter are required in order to be considered for this role. Applications without both a resume and cover letter will be deemed incomplete.

Virginia Values Veterans:

Albemarle County is a Certified V3 organization.

EOE/EEO:

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.