Climate Resilience & Adaptation Advisor

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The Climate Justice team at the Office of Sustainability & Environment in Seattle is recruiting for a Climate Resilience & Adaptation Advisor. The role focuses on managing community development and infrastructure investments in the Duwamish Valley and partnering with the Duwamish Valley Program Manager to advance the Action Plan.

You will work with other City departments to implement climate resilience strategies, translate policy into actionable steps, and engage community-based organizations

Qualifications

• Experience advancing climate adaptation and resilience initiatives.
• Knowledge of climate impacts relevant to Seattle, including extreme heat, flooding, air quality and wildfire smoke, and sea level rise.
• Experience working with Community-based Organizations, neighborhood groups, and frontline communities to co-develop strategies, steward resources, and build long-term trust and collaboration.
• Experience leading and coordinating interdepartmental projects, aligning diverse partners, facilitating shared work plans, and supporting departments in translating policy direction into actionable steps.
• Strong project management and community development skills, related to capital or infrastructure projects, public realm investments, commercial real estate, or community-controlled spaces.
• Familiarity with land use planning, natural resource stewardship, parks and open space planning, community resilience strategies, or other place-based strategies that strengthen neighborhood resilience.
• Navigated complex systems and politically nuanced environments.
• Strong listening, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex climate information into accessible language for internal partners, elected officials, and community members.
• Developed guidance, tools, or processes that support departments in integrating climate resilience and equity into capital planning, program delivery, or policy development.
• Experience in tribal relations and building relationships with urban native communities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward existing community development and infrastructure investments in the Duwamish Valley, in coordination with the Duwamish Valley Program Manager.
• Advance climate resilience and adaptation strategies to address heat, air quality, flooding, and community-led resilience.
• Collaborate with departmental partners to align priorities and action on city-wide projects.
• Support implementation of the Climate Action Plan and translate policy direction into actionable steps.

Skills

Climate resilience

Community engagement

Project management

Interdepartmental coordination

Policy translation

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Equity & environmental justice

Job description

THE OFFICE

The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future. OSE is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Our mission is to ensure a clean and healthy environment for every resident of Seattle. We prioritize those currently and historically harmed by racial, economic, and environmental injustice and serve as cross-departmental and community partners, innovators, and drivers of cutting-edge city policy. Ifyou are looking to support opportunities to increase racial, social, and environmental justice throughout Seattle's environmental work, look no further!

THE JOB

The Climate Justice team at OSE is recruiting for a Climate Resilience & Adaptation Advisor. We are looking for people who have experience advancing these types of initiatives, who understand the climate impacts relevant to Seattle, who have deep community partnership experience with community-based organizations and communities to co-develop solutions, and who can manage community development projects.

Your primary focus will initially be managing and stewarding existing community development and infrastructure investments in the Duwamish Valley, and working closely with the Duwamish Valley Program Manager to continue implementing the Duwamish Valley Action Plan.

You will also work with departmental partners to advance community resilience efforts and align priorities and action on key projects in other parts of the City of Seattle.

Once the Climate Action Plan is updated, you will support the implementation of climate resilience and adaptation strategies to address heat, air quality, flooding, and community-led resilience, and support City departments with technical guidance.

To be successful, you are committed to:

• Supporting Climate resilience and Environmental justice work and impacting climate change
• Racial equity, environmental justice, and anti-displacement principles
• Equitable planning and program implementation
• Engaging respectfully in all interactions, and building strong relationships and collaborative internal and external partnerships

To be effective, you have:

• Experience advancing climate adaptation and resilience initiatives
• Knowledge of climate impacts relevant to Seattle, including extreme heat, flooding, air quality and wildfire smoke, and sea level rise
• Experience working with Community-based Organizations, neighborhood groups, and frontline communities to co-develop strategies, steward resources, and build long-term trust and collaboration
• Experience similar to leading and coordinating interdepartmental projects, aligning diverse partners, facilitating shared work plans, and supporting departments in translating policy direction into actionable steps
• Strong project management and community development skills, related to capital or infrastructure projects, public realm investments, commercial real estate, or community-controlled spaces
• Familiarity with land use planning, natural resource stewardship, parks and open space planning, community resilience strategies, or other place-based strategies that strengthen neighborhood resilience
• Navigated complex systems and politically nuanced environments
• Strong listening, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex climate information into accessible language for internal partners, elected officials, and community members
• Developed guidance, tools, or processes that support departments in integrating climate resilience and equity into capital planning, program delivery, or policy development
• Experience in tribal relations and building relationships with urban native communities

A successful applicant will have a professional career that reflects a commitment to addressing climate resilience and adaptation. This career orientation should be complemented by qualifications demonstrated in some or most of the following areas:

• Implementing multiple complex projects concurrently and successfully
• Advancing climate resilience and adaptation with an equity and environmental justice lens
• Building internal and external relationships and partnerships that inform and accomplish change
• Developing guidance, tools, or processes that support climate resilience and equity
• Delivering outcomes in a political and fast-paced environment
• Listening, communication, and facilitation skills
• Diplomacy and political savvy

This job is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, General Government, and the salary range is $51.88-$77.82. Our target range for this position is $67.00-$68.57.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.

Why Work for the City of Seattle?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all.

Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together.

Join us in building a Seattle that thrives!

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information.

This position is open to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. The Office of Sustainability & Environment values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Office of Planning and Community Development encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided with reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact [e-mail] with questions or to request accommodations.