Several Positions, City of Hartford Climate Stewardship Initiative (Hartford, CT)

Sustainability Coordinator:

The City of Hartford is seeking a full-time Sustainability Coordinator to develop and administer programs and initiatives related to environmental stewardship at the local level. The Sustainability Coordinator will work with various public and private stakeholders on activities to combat the adverse effects of climate change on Hartford. Throughout the 22-month, grant-funded position, the Sustainability Coordinator will report to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor.

Hartford seeks a Sustainability Coordinator in the context of its rigorous, comprehensive climate resiliency effort – the Climate Stewardship Initiative (CSI) – which aims to improve our quality of life through environmental stewardship, while advancing our economy, improving public health outcomes, and promoting social equity. Through the CSI, Hartford has collaborated with corporations, private foundations, and state and federal government agencies to make significant strides in a number of areas. More information about these initiatives is available a http://www.hartford.gov/climate.

A Sustainability Coordinator would help Hartford build on this strong coalition, and not only respond to threats of climate change, but also strategize proactively for the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Sustainability Coordinator will:

• Manage the process of drafting and finalizing a climate action plan for the City
• Initiate, manage, and coordinate a variety of sustainability-related projects in and among different City departments, including the Departments of Development Services and Public Works, and the Hartford Public Schools
• Monitor performance of environmental management and sustainability initiatives
• Develop and maintain relationships with public and private stakeholders interested in contributing to sustainability activities
• Identify and pursue funding sources including federal, state, and private funds to support sustainability programs and initiatives
• Monitor sustainability-related changes in local, state, and federal law and policy
• Maintain channels of publicity (including website and social media) on the City’s sustainability initiatives
• Advise the Mayor and other City officials on sustainability issues
• Attend, hold, and initiate city and community meetings on sustainability issues
• Oversee the work of the Green Infrastructure Specialist
• Liaise with the funders of the grant for the Sustainability Coordinator position.

The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in science, sustainability, urban planning, architecture, public policy, law, or related fields
• Ability to communicate clearly and work closely with officials, city residents, the business community, environmental groups, and other stakeholders
• Ability to maintain projects and meet deadlines
• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Demonstrated ability to conduct public engagement activities

Preferred Requirements:

• Graduate Degree in science, sustainability, urban planning, architecture, public policy, law, or related fields
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in coordinating environment-related projects

Other Details:

• Salary up to $90,000/year, based on experience, with possibility of City benefits
• This position is in the unclassified service, and incumbent is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor in accordance with Chapters IV and V of the City Charter.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to mayor@hartford.gov.

Green Infrastructure Specialist:

The City of Hartford is seeking a full-time Green Infrastructure Specialist to facilitate and administer stormwater management infrastructure in Hartford. Throughout the one-year, grant-funded position, the Green Infrastructure Specialist will report to City Sustainability Coordinator in the Office of the Mayor.

Hartford seeks a Green Infrastructure Specialist in the context of its rigorous, comprehensive climate resiliency effort – the Climate Stewardship Initiative (CSI) – which aims to improve our quality of life through environmental stewardship, while advancing our economy, improving public health outcomes, and promoting social equity. Through the CSI, Hartford has collaborated with corporations, private foundations, and state and federal government agencies to make significant strides in a number of areas. More information about these initiatives is available at http://www.hartford.gov/climate.

The Green Infrastructure Specialist is entirely grant-funded by the University of Connecticut’s Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA). In addition to collaborating with CIRCA, the Green Infrastructure Specialist will be required to coordinate with the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), the regional water and sewer authority, on a variety of matters.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assess and analyze in a written report green infrastructure techniques best suited to Hartford’s built and natural environments, position along a vital inland waterway, and population
• Coordinate with the MDC in MDC’s efforts to advance green infrastructure strategies and assist with the identification of locations and configurations where green infrastructure would be most successful in reducing load on our existing stormwater systems
• Initiate major green infrastructure pilot project(s)
• Collaborate with City personnel to draft specifications on materials used for milling/paving roads, sidewalks, parking lots and similar facilities to incorporate and, where possible, replace existing material specifications with greener solutions, and use these specifications as the basis for a manual for other towns
• Collaborate with the City bicycle/pedestrian coordinator and other federal, state, and City personnel to identify and implement a program on “Green and Complete Streets”
• Conduct outreach to community groups in Hartford, as well as other cities in coordination with CIRCA to discuss best practices around the state and country regarding stormwater-related green infrastructure and impact on resilience and sustainability
• Identify and pursue state and federal, and private funding sources for additional green infrastructure projects
• Perform site visits with City and consultant engineers to identify design strategies and locations for implementation
• Organize and evaluate engineering design documents submitted by consultant engineering firms
• Prepare presentations of design plans to City officials and engineers
• Advise the Mayor, Sustainability Coordinator, and other city officials on green infrastructure-related issues

The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, or a related field leading to a career in green infrastructure
• Minimum of 2 years of experience with design and/or project management of green infrastructure
• Ability to quickly understand and insightfully present engineering concepts to those without an engineering background
• Demonstrated public presentation and speaking skills
• Strong analytical skills

Preferred Requirements:

• Masters degree in environmental management, environmental studies, natural resources, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead collaborative green infrastructure projects between nonprofit, institutional, and public partners

Other Details:

• Salary up to $60,000/year, based on experience, with possibility of City benefits
• This position is in the unclassified service, and incumbent is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor in accordance with Chapters IV and V of the City Charter.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to mayor@hartford.gov.