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Climate Change Adaptation Analyst
Ascent Environmental / Bay Area, Sacramento, or San Diego
Posted on: January 31, 2022
Application Deadline: Open until Filled
Job Description
Description
Is this you?
New research, studies, or tools relating to climate change and adaptation pique your interest. You are excited about the opportunity to help our communities reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and be more resilient to the effects of climate change (e.g., preparing for increased wildfires, flooding, extreme heat days) in equitable ways. You can conduct technical work and clearly write a story about the results that relate to the reader. You are familiar with, or anxious to dive into, the ABCs and 123s of the body of legislation and guidance regulating and directing the work in these topic areas (e.g., SB 32, EO B-30-15, EO B-55-18, AB 1482, SB 246, SB 379, Scoping Plan, California Adaptation Planning Guide, Safeguarding California Plan). You are curious, caring, collegial, collaborative, career-oriented, and committed to quality.
Here’s what you would do:
Ascent is seeking a Climate Change and/or Adaptation Analyst to join our practice based in the Bay Area, Sacramento, or San Diego. You will be working as part of the Climate Change and Adaptation Planning (CAAP) team. For a typical week in this position, you might (depending on whether you have a more climate change or adaptation focus):
- Assist with data collection and review for the purposes of preparing baselines GHG emissions inventories and future emissions projections
- Help identify and craft GHG reduction and adaptation measures for local communities
- Use spreadsheet models and current protocols assist with to help set GHG targets and determine the potential reduction value of GHG measures
- Work through the 4 phases of the Adaptation Planning Process (Phase 1, “Explore, Define, and Initiate”; Phase 2, “Assess Vulnerability”; Phase 3, “Define Adaptation Framework and Strategies”; and Phase 4, “Implement, Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust)
- Use Cal-Adapt and other tools to determine future projections regarding extreme heat, flooding, fire, and other risks
- Work with clients and other Ascentians to determine the exposure, sensitivity and potential impacts, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability scoring for local communities
- Team up with project managers, principals, and other expert colleagues on all your projects
- Discuss technical approaches with recognized statewide leaders in climate change and adaptation
- Attend internal and external training opportunities
- Work with State agencies (e.g., California Air Resources Board); regional air, water, and transportation districts and agencies (e.g., Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Association of Bay Area Governments, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission); cities and counties; and many others
- Participate in community workshops and public outreach events
- Tackle a broad range of climate and adaption issues, including leading-edge thinking and how these topics cut across planning for housing, disadvantaged communities, and safety with the team
- Enjoy social and community service events, and the camaraderie of being an Ascentian
Ascent offers a supportive, fun, and intellectually challenging work environment with excellent benefits. We invest in our employees’ careers and welfare and strive to provide high-quality outcomes for our clients. We offer flexible hours, collegial teamwork, participation in important and challenging projects, opportunities to contribute to and join in-service events for our local communities, and regular performance recognition.
Ascent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. These policies apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Requirements:
Ascent is seeking a qualified individual that possesses excellent analytical and writing skills to assist with the preparation of climate action and adaptation plans for a wide range of clients from cities and counties to state and regional agencies. The ideal candidate would have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience be familiar with State rules, regulations, plans, and programs related to climate change and adaptation; and have a basic understanding of how such plans relate to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other types of planning documents (e.g., general plan, safety, and housing elements). The individual should be proficient in using Microsoft Word and Excel and have the ability (with training and support) to use tabular calculation and emissions modeling software (e.g., EMFAC, OFFROAD), navigate the Cal-Adapt tool and various GHG quantification protocols and be able to work within schedules and budgets. Also, the candidate should have a bachelor’s and or master’s degree in planning, environmental studies, geography, natural resources, physical sciences, or related field, along with a minimum of 2 years of experience. Please note that a master’s degree could count for some amount of experience depending on the program or research/teaching assistant positions held during that time.
Application Instructions
If interested in applying, please go to https://www.ascentenvironmental.com/careers/
