What are the responsibilities and job description for the Building Decarbonization Fellow position at City of Cambridge, MA?
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Office of Sustainability (OoS) prepares Cambridge for the impacts of climate change with programs that help prevent harm from extreme weather, improve energy efficiency, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and aid the transition to renewable energy. OoS is a part of Sustainable Cambridge, an initiative that unites all of the City's work on sustainability, resilience, and climate justice.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Building Decarbonization Fellow joins the Climate team within OoS to help implement Cambridge's Net Zero Action Plan, the City's strategy for reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 2050 or earlier through electrification, efficiency, and renewable energy access.
A major focus of our action is the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO), which is among the most progressive building performance standards in the country, requiring the city's largest nonresidential buildings to reach net zero by 2035.
The Fellow will help implement BEUDO and other Net Zero Action Plan priorities, working alongside the Climate team and collaborating with Cambridge residents through the Climate Committee to help guide the City's work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyze data and support program execution for BEUDO.
- Analyze and interpret energy and emissions data in Excel and BEUDO data platforms.
- Research policy questions to help inform program design, implementation decisions, or policy review.
- Support implementation of a new City renewable energy program for owners of BEUDO Covered Properties.
- May also create content and communications materials on building decarbonization and building performance standards, for building owners, residents, and other stakeholders.
Supporting the work of the Cambridge Climate Committee as they advise and oversee OoS on equitable climate action in Cambridge.
- This work includes helping to coordinate Committee meetings and agendas, communicating with Committee leadership, and working with City staff to recruit new members from diverse Cambridge communities.
- Help to coordinate the evening monthly in-person meeting, usually on the second Thursday of the month between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M., and any set-up time before the meeting.
Other Office of Sustainability support
- Assisting with additional energy and climate related tasks as assigned, such as supporting the BEUDO Review Board and Net Zero Action Plan update.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree or pursuing a masters in a related field of study, and 1 to 3 years relevant work experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
- Working knowledge of climate policy, clean energy, building energy concepts, and/or related energy strategy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Analytical skills and experience with data analysis, especially strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and effectively with community members, staff, and other stakeholders; ability to respond to program inquiries and make appropriate referrals.
- Attention to detail and independent task management.
- Ability to remain flexible and thrive in an independent, fast-paced, and dynamic environment.
- The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A passion for climate policy and strategy, especially in the fields of energy and/or buildings.
- Excellent writing skills and comfort with creating content for public communication, including written communication, visualizations, and presentations.
- Experience coordinating groups around a project or initiative.
- Knowledge of the Cambridge community and multilingual skills or bicultural experience valued but not required.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The City of Cambridge is committed to providing fair, transparent, and competitive compensation to all employees. The salary range listed in this job posting reflects the full range for this position's pay grade (Steps 1–10). New employees joining the organization are hired within the hiring range, Steps 1 through 5, with placement at the midpoint reserved for the most qualified candidates. Starting placement is based on directly related education and experience relative to the minimum qualifications of the position, required licenses or certifications, internal equity with current employees, and relevant labor market factors. Employees progress through the 10 steps over time through the City's established step and pay progression policies.
This compensation philosophy applies to non‑union positions. For union positions, please refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Current City employees applying to another position should refer to the Compensation & Classification Manual for the policies governing promotions, lateral transfers, and other internal salary changes.
ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve - one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at humanresources@cambridgema.gov.
Salary : $30