Planner - Sustainability

City of Lakewood; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

The City of Lakewood is seeking a Sustainability Planner to develop resources, policies, and programs aligned with the City’s sustainability goals. The role emphasizes cross-department collaboration, public outreach, and data-driven reporting.

A strong background in planning and policy development is essential. Qualifications include a Bachelor's in a sustainability field and 2+ years of related experience, with proficiency in ArcGIS and data management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a sustainability-related field.
• Two years of sustainability-related experience.
• Experience developing policy and implementing programs.
• Experience engaging diverse communities.
• Experience working with City officials.
• Experience with data management, analysis, reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop resources, policies, and programs for the City of Lakewood’s sustainability goals.
• Address land-use, policy, and zoning in sustainable contexts.
• Lead climate action, zero waste, and transportation initiatives.
• Engage stakeholders; prepare staff reports and outreach materials.
• Collaborate across departments and facilitate consensus among diverse groups.
• Handle time-sensitive tasks and present to community groups in public settings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Project management

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in sustainability planning, environmental science, urban planning, public administration

Tools

ArcGIS

Canva or Adobe In-Design

Job description

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $89,485.01 - $99,427.79/year

Under the supervision of the Planning Manager - Sustainability, the Sustainability Planner develops resources, policies, and programs in support of the City of Lakewood’s overall Sustainability goals.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(This job description does not intend to list every function of the position.) This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a variety of sustainability efforts across the City, with responsibilities tailored to program needs and individual strengths.

• Sustainable land-use, development codes, and policy
• Zero waste systems, infrastructure, operations, and policy
• Climate action and adaptation planning
• Sustainable transportation, infrastructure, programs, and operations
• Sustainable economic development and business program development
• Strategic communication, education, and outreach
• Data collection, tracking, and reporting on implementation progress

Work includes extensive interaction with the public and other staff members, preparation of staff reports, development of outreach materials, and oral presentations to community organizations and neighborhood groups.

Community and cross-departmental collaboration and engagement is a requirement for the majority of programs and projects. As such, the candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to facilitate collaboration and consensus building with diverse stakeholders. This position requires effective time management, prioritization and project management skills. Requires regular and prompt attendance. Work includes frequent evening hours as well as occasional weekend hours.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in sustainability planning, environmental science, urban planning, public administration or another field or combination of fields that fosters understanding of sustainability from an accredited college.
• Required Experience: Two years of varied experience in sustainability-related field required.
• Experience developing policy and implementing programs.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Experience working effectively with City officials.
• Experience with web content management systems and social media communication.
• Experience with data management, analysis, reporting and sharing information publicly in an interactive and engaging manner.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in municipal sustainability.
• Experience designing graphics to support strategic communication of complex topics using Canva or Adobe In-Design.
• Experience with ArcGIS.

Licensure/Certification/Registration

Valid driver's license and good motor vehicle record required.

Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to interact with others in a positive manner.
• Knowledge in the fields of land-use planning and sustainability planning.
• Demonstrates superior oral and written communication.
• Demonstrates a high degree of ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrates creative thinking and problem solving in the development of plans and programs.
• Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the perspectives of diverse and under-represented communities in the considerations of the impacts and outcomes of decision-making processes.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to move about within City facilities and transport self to off-site locations.
• Majority of the work is conducted in the office, with meetings in the Metro Denver area.
• Ability to meet tight, sometimes conflicting, deadlines.
• Must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings on a regular basis.
• Capable of using math skills efficiently to calculate data and understand complicated planning techniques and basic engineering techniques.
• Ability to make quick and sound decisions when necessary.
• Expertise in budget preparation and government budgeting practices.
• Must be able to keep track of multiple projects simultaneously as well as track projects being handled by staff members.
• Must be able to write high quality, clear, complete business letters, policies and research reports.
• Must effectively proof-read and edit written material produced by others including staff reports, analysis and recommendations to ensure the content is clear, concise, complete, relevant and timely and the tone is appropriate.
• Effective public speaking/presentation skills, with the ability to interact with large groups and with boards and elected officials in public hearing settings.
• Must be able to evaluate projects and articulate their impacts on the City of Lakewood.
• Must be able to supervise clerical and professional staff and make decisions, even in circumstances of conflict.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications. LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work. Physical Demands Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa Sit, stand or be stationary Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc. Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color Environmental Conditions may include Office settings Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance.

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.

Pay Range $76,587.14-$99,427.79 Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions. Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10-minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban-style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one-quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses. We’re an All-America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options.

Benefits

• Medical Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) Kaiser Permanente DHMO with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan
• Vision Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Life Insurance Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage.
• Pension Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary.
• Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees earn 6 hours per month.
• Vacation Full-time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month.
• City Holidays Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Injury Leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance
• Credit Union
• Recreation Facilities Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park.
• Wellness Programs
• Value-Added Benefits