Climate Action Analyst

Pitkin County; Aspen (CO); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Pitkin County is seeking a seasoned Climate Policy and Resilience Leader to drive the Climate Action Plan and related initiatives. You will coordinate across County departments and with regional partners to advance resilience and policy outcomes.

Lead data-driven analysis, budget oversight, grant coordination, and stakeholder communications to reduce climate impacts and strengthen community resilience for Aspen and Pitkin County.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of climate policy, sustainability, renewable energy or related field.
• Experience in local government, managing programs or grants, and community outreach preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, Sustainability, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Serves as technical advisor on climate action and resiliency to County leadership and project teams; coordinates with departments to embed climate goals into policies, programs, budgets, and operations.
• Represents the County in regional/community partnerships with governments, districts, employers, nonprofits, and stakeholders to advance climate goals.
• Coordinates implementation of the Climate Action Plan and related initiatives; helps prioritize and complete climate-related projects; participates in cross-department teams.
• Researches best practices and evaluates emerging climate policies/technologies in areas like transportation, buildings, energy, waste; develops findings to support goals.
• Develops and implements climate-friendly policies, programs, and practices for County operations and broader community; leads or supports initiatives.
• Budget development and administration for climate programs; monitors revenues/expenditures and adjusts as needed.
• Identifies and pursues grants and funding; coordinates with departments to secure resources; administers grant compliance and reporting.
• Collects and analyzes climate, energy, emissions data; maintains tracking tools and reports for decision-making.
• Supports regional climate data collection and reporting; coordinates with partners for consistent data and shared metrics.
• Manages consultants/data projects; prepares reports/presentations for BOCC and stakeholders.
• ESF-14 lead during EOC activations; supports ESF-14 plan development and coordination.
• Interacts with public to maintain trust and confidentiality; performs other duties as required.

Skills

Climate policy

Project management

Data analysis

Grant writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science/Public Policy/Public Administration/Sustainability

Tools

GIS

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

• Job Postings without Closing Dates: Job postings that do not have a closing date will remain open until filled.
• Job Postings with Closing Dates: An application deadline may be extended if the original deadline produced fewer applications than expected. Likewise, a job posting may be closed prior to the listed closing date if the number of applications reach the limit for that position.

• Early applications are encouraged**
• Job Postings without Closing Dates: Job postings that do not have a closing date will remain open until filled.
• Job Postings with Closing Dates: An application deadline may be extended if the original deadline produced fewer applications than expected. Likewise, a job posting may be closed prior to the listed closing date if the number of applications reach the limit for that position.

Job Summary

Under general direction, leads the development and implementation of Pitkin County’s climate action and resiliency goals by providing technical expertise, research, analysis, and project coordination to advance the County’s Climate Action Plan and related initiatives. Works across County departments and with regional and community partners to develop policies, programs, and projects that reduce climate impacts and improve community resilience.

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as a technical advisor and subject matter expert on climate action and resiliency to County leadership, departments, and project teams. Coordinates with County departments to integrate climate action goals and best practices into policies, programs, budgets, projects, and operations.
• Represents the County in regional and community partnerships; works with local governments, special districts, employers, developers, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and community stakeholders to advance shared climate goals.
• Coordinates implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan and related initiatives. Supports County departments in identifying, prioritizing, and completing climate-related projects and actions; serves on cross-department project teams as a climate and resiliency subject matter expert and identifies opportunities for collaboration and improved outcomes.
• Researches best practices and evaluates emerging climate policies and technologies in areas such as transportation, building performance, renewable energy, waste reduction, and climate adaptation; develops findings and recommendations to support County climate and resiliency goals.
• Develops and implements climate-friendly policies, programs, and practices for County operations and the broader community; leads or supports assigned climate action programs and initiatives.
• Develops and administers budgets for assigned climate action programs and projects; monitors revenues and expenditures and makes adjustments as needed.
• Identifies and pursues grants and other funding opportunities; coordinates with County departments and partners to secure and leverage resources for climate and resiliency initiatives; administers grant compliance and reporting requirements.
• Collects, analyzes, and maintains climate, energy, emissions, and other relevant data to measure progress toward County climate goals; develops and maintains tracking tools, reports, and performance measures that inform program development and decision-making.
• Supports regional climate data collection, tracking, and reporting efforts; coordinates with regional partners to promote consistent data, shared metrics, and effective use of information.
• Manages consultants and complex data projects as assigned; prepares and delivers reports and presentations for County leadership, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and community stakeholders.
• Serves as the County’s Emergency Support Function 14 (ESF-14) lead during Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, providing in-person or virtual support; supports the development, maintenance, and implementation of the ESF-14 plan and builds relationships with County departments, regional partners, and other organizations to support emergency recovery efforts.
• Supports the relationship between Pitkin County government and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and County staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and County information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge And Skills

Qualifications (Experience, Education, Licenses, Certifications)

Experience

• 3 plus years of progressively responsible experience in climate policy, sustainability, renewable energy, environmental policy analysis or a related field.
• Experience working in local government, managing programs or grants, and conducting community outreach preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, Sustainability, or a related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.

Licenses And Certifications

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.
• Completion of FEMA NIMS/ICS courses (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800) within six months of hire.

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Research methods and techniques, including data collection, storage, analysis, reporting, and presentation.
• Fiscal and budgetary management and tracking.
• Organizational and community planning.
• Public policy processes.
• Standard and specialized computer software applications, including spreadsheets, databases, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Climate action planning, greenhouse gas emissions inventories, and climate adaptation and resiliency practices.
• Best practices in transportation, building performance, renewable energy, and waste reduction.
• Grant research, writing, and administration.
• Emergency management principles, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and emergency recovery functions.

Skill In

• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
• Working efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines.
• Developing, understanding, interpreting, and communicating information, policies, and procedures.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Collecting, analyzing, and presenting complex data in a clear and meaningful way to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Building consensus and facilitating collaboration among diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with a hybrid schedule; involves extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• Occasional local and regional travel to attend meetings, community events, and project sites.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, including during Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.