Charleston County is seeking a highly experienced professional to lead Charleston County’s sustainability efforts. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing, managing, and maintaining the strategic planning necessary to guide and coordinate a countywide approach to sustainability in accordance with the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The position also requires working with state and federal grants, exploring new technologies and developing partnerships in collaboration with County departments and key partners/stakeholders at the regional, state and federal levels.
The incumbent must clearly define sustainability initiatives through effective communication and collaboration to ensure active and inclusive input, enable synergy between various efforts, and capitalize on opportunities that help the County achieve sustainability goals from the County’s CAP. The position must engage diverse leaders from within, and external to County government, and bring them together to address strategies within the CAP. The incumbent will exercise an extensive degree of independent judgement, cross departmental leadership, and professional and managerial knowledge to ensure the overall success and timely delivery of strategic initiatives. The position will work under the direction of the Resilience Manager, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $68,141 - $89,253 (Estimated Annual Salary Dependent on Qualifications)
OPEN UNTIL FILLED – APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY
*Oversee the planning and implementation of Charleston County’s CAP and sustainability goals and initiatives and develop programs and strategies to advance those goals and initiatives.
*Oversee Charleston County’s sustainability grants and other studies.
*Identify current gaps or shortfalls in achieving sustainability goals and initiatives included in the CAP.
*Develop and implement outcome-based programs, best practices, research and evaluation tools to achieve sustainability throughout the County and a comprehensive and equitable approach for creating more sustainable communities.
*Direct, manage and review sustainability policies, capital projects and program plans.
*Foster relationships and collaboration with other departments, municipalities, community and civic groups, County leadership, elected officials, local businesses, and residents with the goal of improving communication, training and educating stakeholders.
*Serve as the County’s primary point of contact for all sustainability efforts throughout the region. *Coordinate and collaborate with multiple jurisdictions on various ongoing projects.
*Facilitate collaboration of interdepartmental teams and working groups on sustainability initiatives and programs to develop and implement sustainability policies and strategies.
*Work with the Resilience Manager to coordinate and update the Charleston County Resilience and *Sustainability Advisory Committee and participate in professional sustainability networks.
*Manage outside consultants involved in planning and implementing programs and initiatives related to sustainability issues.
*Pursue state and federal grant funding to support implementation of sustainability initiatives.
*Manage budgeting of sustainability initiatives and guide development of strategic approach.
*Demonstrate understanding of technologies, plans, programs, and policies related to sustainability and expertise and experience in the development, planning and delivery of strategy, policy and programs across Charleston County government.
*Develop and oversee sustainability-specific indicators and metrics and define specific measurable targets for the impact of the work, as well as a process for regular assessment and reflection on progress toward these targets and demonstrate ability to correct course of action as needed.
*Gather and analyze data to support and track progress on sustainability initiatives. Review data and research to guide the work of sustainability initiatives and oversee the preparation of periodic performance reports. Evaluate, enhance, and develop performance management systems that monitor and assess progress towards achieving sustainability goals.
*Produce high quality reports, media, and other communication materials to share progress with internal and external stakeholders. Create a centralized process and documentation effort to reflect all County sustainability work currently in process and coordinate with County departments to develop a sustainability framework.
*Adhere to Federal and State laws, and County policies and procedures, as it relates to job functions.
*Position requires Emergency Operations Center duty during Charleston County emergency activations. Must obtain NIMS Incident Command certifications.
Minimum Qualifications: Education & Experience
Undergraduate Degree from an accredited four-year college or university required in Sustainability, Public Administration, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Resilience Studies, Community or Urban Planning, Economic Development, or other closely related field.
Master’s Degree preferred from accredited college or university in Sustainability, Public Administration, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Resilience Studies, Community or Urban Planning, Economic Development, or other closely related field.
Three (3) years or more of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainability planning, strategy formulation, engagement and project delivery. Knowledge of the governmental planning and development functions is highly preferred. Additional experience in urban or regional planning, engineering, large scale infrastructure projects and/or economic development is desirable.
*Ability to demonstrate initiative as self-starter exercising high autonomy and independent as well as critical thinking to provide informed recommendations for advancing the County’s goals outlined in the CAP.
*Working Knowledge of governmental decision-making processes.
*Excellent project management skills with strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
*Exercise an extensive degree of independent judgement, interdepartmental leadership, and professional and managerial knowledge to oversee the implementation of high-priority sustainability projects.
*Knowledge of sustainability issues facing coastal communities.
*Excellent customer service, written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with elected officials, brief County Council, leadership, committee chairs, department staff, technical consultants and the public. Must respond to questions, comments and requests in a courteous and timely manner.
*Familiarity with accounting practices to ensure financial needs are met during the budgeting process.
*Excellent computer skills that at a minimum include presentation software, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and the ability to learn new software as needed to prepare a variety of documents, correspondence, media and reports.
*Must have and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license with a safe driving record.
