Climate Planner/Project Manager

Rincon Consultants, Inc; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Climate Planner/Project Manager to lead innovative climate action initiatives. This role involves collaborating with water agencies to develop and implement climate resilience strategies aimed at addressing critical issues like drought and sea level rise. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and communication skills, with a passion for sustainability. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a positive impact in communities while enjoying flexible work arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that drive real change in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Accounts

Professional Development Opportunities

Volunteer Pay for a Day

Life Insurance

Pet Insurance

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience with water agencies in the Western U.S.
• Experience managing large, complex data sets for climate analysis.
• Familiarity with federal and state regulatory requirements for water agencies.

Responsibilities

• Design and prepare climate adaptation and resilience plans.
• Analyze data to support evaluation of climate risks and options.
• Coordinate with internal and external representatives on sustainability.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Data Management

Communication Skills

Technical Analysis

Project Management

Budget Management

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning

Bachelor’s degree in Climate Change

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Cal-Adapt

World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) CMIP6

Job description

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Climate Planner/Project Manager who will collaborate within Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation (SCI) in developing innovative climate action and resilience plans for water agencies. Rincon’s Climate Team works with cities, counties, special districts, and water agencies throughout California on the assessment, planning, and implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation programs. Specific areas of adaptation and resilience emphasis include developing strategies to address drought, groundwater and sea level rise, fluvial floods, wildfires, and urban heat. We also support our water agency clients with climate mitigation with an emphasis on decarbonization, electrification, and renewable energy. This position will require an entrepreneurial spirit, strong technical analysis and data management skills, strong communication and writing skills, and a good working knowledge of how water agencies plan and manage their water supplies and infrastructure and operations. Rincon is seeking a qualified individual that has excellent analytical skills and is experienced with collecting, compiling, analyzing, and managing large, complex data sets to evaluate vulnerabilities and existing greenhouse gas emissions, develop innovative strategies, and track climate resilience and mitigation progress toward achieving established client goals.

Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation Practice emphasizes team collaboration to assist our clients to develop and implement ambitious climate resilience strategies and programs. We operate with the simple idea that we want our work to result in tangible, positive change in the communities our clients serve. We operate in this capacity because we truly love what we do, and we know that there’s an opportunity to make positive change. We want to build a resilient and thriving future by regularly applying our knowledge and experiences in achieving the highest levels of sustainability in our business operations, as well as our daily lives in the most equitable way. This position allows you to work from any of our 13 office locations, with a preference for the following locations: Carlsbad, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ventura, or Santa Barbara. Also, it provides the potential for a hybrid/remote work arrangement within California.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the design and preparation of climate adaptation and resilience plans, climate action plans, adaptive management plans, sustainability plans, and other related initiatives for agencies that manage water, wastewater, stormwater management, and recycled wastewater systems.
• Analyze water supply, climate change, energy, infrastructure, environmental, water demand, and other types of data to support the evaluation of climate risks, adaptation options, and adaptive management systems for water agencies.
• Conduct research for complex projects including modeling short- and long-term implementation costs and benefits and evaluating the suitability of different mitigation and adaptation options.
• Coordinate with various internal and external representatives on matters of sustainability and climate action, adaptation, and resilience.
• Promote a culture of ownership, teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients.
• Enhance Rincon’s professional reputation and demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative with these tasks while representing Rincon in a professional manner.
• Work closely with Rincon leadership to promote our business interests in adherence with the company’s mission, vision, and values.
• Engage with diverse communities and interested parties and communicate complicated scientific and climate-related topics.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

This Job Might Be For You If You Have The Following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Climate Change, Engineering or related discipline.
• 3-5 years of related experience working with water agencies in the Western United States.
• 2 years of related experience working on climate change related projects.
• Familiarity and experience manipulating and applying climate change projections data and tools such as Cal-Adapt and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) CMIP6 climate data and analytics for climate vulnerability assessments.
• Familiarity and experience supporting the management of federal and state regulatory requirements for water agencies, such as the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), water use efficiency standards, and water quality standards.
• Familiarity and experience applying One Water and Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) concepts.
• Experience managing budgets for multifaceted work programs.
• Experience with data analytics.
• Experience translating complex science concepts to operational impacts and technological solutions.
• Excellent writing, planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and to manage multiple projects, deadlines, priorities, and teams.
• Highly motivated with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time-management skills, and innovative.
• Positive attitude and eager to streamline and improve process and workflows.

Collaborative Team

Rincon is a science-based environmental and climate change consulting firm focused within the Western U.S. market. As a team of more than 400 purpose-driven professionals, we are large enough to provide the expertise needed to successfully support our clients in implementing meaningful, innovative, and complex projects, yet flexible enough to quickly respond to emerging challenges or changing priorities. Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation practice specializes in the analysis, planning and implementation of programs designed to avoid and/or mitigate potential risks associated with climate change. For Rincon, climate action and adaptation includes analyzing systems and potential risks, helping our clients formulate innovative and ambitious climate adaptation plans and decarbonization strategies, and working with those same clients to implement real change. We have operated our SCI practice with the simple idea that we want our work to result in tangible, positive change for our clients and the community.

Celebrated Diversity

Rincon puts people first and knows that fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and opinion and people who are celebrated will lead to a smarter, more creative, aligned, and socially aware team. From this background, mentorship and collaboration have become key values in Rincon’s culture. These values are represented across our practice with teams of professionals with diverse expertise and experience who are contributing to meaningful projects across all of Rincon’s service area. We operate in this capacity because we are invested in what we do, and we know that through collaboration there’s an opportunity to make positive change. We want to build a resilient and thriving future by regularly applying our knowledge and experiences in achieving sustainable projects and in our business operations, as well as our daily lives. We are looking to grow our team with people that are interested in collaborating to build sustainable and equitable communities. We are looking for open-minded positive people with the knowledge and experience to easily identify both issues and opportunities and are driven towards forward-thinking ideas as a means to achieve our goals.

Compensation

The base salary range for this full-time position is $80,000 to $114,000, plus benefits and bonus. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Total Rewards Package

We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package, providing our valued employees with many benefits to enhance their well-being and financial security. Our health benefits include a range of options such as HMO, PPO, HDHP, and Health Savings Account choices, ensuring you have the flexibility to select the plan that best suits your needs.

Additionally, you can enjoy peace of mind with employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, as well as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. We prioritize your well-being by offering three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring you have ample time off to rejuvenate. Planning for your future is made easier through our 401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and bonus opportunities.

Professional Growth

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here!

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.