Manager of Climate Change Resiliency

Massachusetts Clean Energy; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA is seeking a Manager of Climate Change Resiliency to lead technical input on risks to capital and operations from storms and evolving climate conditions in the Boston area. The role will manage the climate resiliency program, coordinate data collection, and develop assessments to support the agency's infrastructure planning.

The successful candidate will supervise a team, collaborate with Environmental, Engineering, Budget, and MassDOT, and present findings to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, natural resource/environmental planning, policy, geology, environmental science or environmental studies, or related field.
• Five years of professional experience in climate change scenario analysis, climate change and disaster impact, vulnerability and adaptation.
• One year of managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of applying climate data to infrastructure and operational vulnerabilities.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure design plans and specifications.
• Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and mapping systems.
• Ability to collaborate with MBTA departments and external groups.
• Strong analytical writing skills; oral presentation skills are a plus.
• Proficient inAdobe, Outlook, MS Office programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage, direct, evaluate the MBTA climate change resiliency program and develop programs, methods, and procedures contributing to resiliency goals.
• Lead collection and analysis of climate change data and risk assessments for the Boston area and transit systems and prepare summaries of information and gaps.
• Define the scope of further climate change assessment based on screening results and information gaps.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of assets at risk and provide strategic recommendations.
• Oversee a methodological framework and work plan for climate and disaster risk assessment and management study.
• Lead assessment of climate and disaster risks including climate scenarios and potential risks to infrastructure.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment of planned infrastructure and effects on people.
• Review MBTA design standards to withstand extreme storms and provide strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with MBTA departments and MassDOT to identify adaptation options.
• Engage with external stakeholders and represent MBTA in regional climate discussions; report progress to senior management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

GIS mapping

Stormwater

Hydrology

Emergency planning

Analytical writing

Oral presentation

Collaboration

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering / environmental field

Tools

GIS software

MS Office

Job description

The Manager of Climate Change Resiliency will be responsible for the technical input on the potential risks of climate change and disasters to the MBTA’s capital program as well as its operational systems. The selected candidate will manage the identification and risks associated with impacts of severe storms and changing climactic conditions on the MBTA’s infrastructure and operations.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage, direct, evaluate the MBTA climate change resiliency program and develop programs, methods, and procedures that contribute to MBTA’s climate change resiliency goals and objectives.
• Lead the collection and analysis of existing climate change data as well as climate change and disaster risk assessments and reports for the greater Boston area as well as those relating to transit systems nationally and prepare a summary of existing information and potential gaps.
• Define the scope of further climate change assessment based on the screening results and information gaps based on relevant guidelines for climate change adaptation.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of assets that could potentially be threatened or at risk due to extreme storms and/or changes in climatic conditions, and provide strategic recommendations based on the findings.
• Manage and oversee a methodological framework and a detailed work plan for conducting a climate and disaster risk assessment and management study for the MBTA.
• Lead the assessment of climate and disaster risks associated with the MBTA including the development of climate scenarios and an assessment of potential risks of sensitive infrastructure and operations.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment in the project area to identify vulnerability of the planned infrastructure as well as the project’s potential effects on the vulnerability of the area and people.
• Review existing MBTA design standards and standard operating procedures to ensure that MBTA can withstand additional impacts due to extreme storms and changing climactic conditions, and provide strategic recommendations based on the findings.
• Collaborate with various MBTA Departments (e.g., Environmental, Capital Programs, Engineering and Maintenance, Operations, Budget, Office of the Chief Engineer, etc.) as well as MassDOT (e.g., Office of Transportation Planning, GeoDOT Office, MassDOT Highway Division, etc) to identify possible (structural and non-structural) interventions as adaption options to address impacts, risks and vulnerability.
• Work and engage with exterior stakeholders to identify collective adaptation measures and plans where applicable as well as represent the MBTA in regional climate change adaptation discussions. Provide regular progress updates to senior management.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in civil engineering, natural resource/environmental planning, and/or policy, geology, environmental science or environmental studies, or related field with a demonstration of technical training/experience in GIS mapping, stormwater, hydrology, emergency planning.
• Five (5) years professional experience working in the fields of climate change scenario analysis, climate change and disaster impact, vulnerability and adaptation.
• One (1) year of managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the application of climate data to the assessment of infrastructure and operational vulnerabilities.
• Experience working with large scale infrastructure design plans and specifications.
• Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and other relevant mapping systems
• Ability to work seamlessly with other departments within the MBTA as well as external groups such as state agencies, vendors, and other organizations as appropriate.
• Strong analytical writing skills are essential; oral presentation skills are a significant plus.
• Demonstrated strong research skills are required.
• Candidate must be self-motivated with an ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines.
• Strong computer skills including the following: Adobe, Outlook, MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An Associate’s degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A Master’s degree incivil engineering, natural resource/environmental planning, and/or policy, geology, environmental science or environmental studies or other related area may be substitutedfor two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with disaster risk management planning.