Salary : $111,380.10 - $135,383.56 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number: 2025-112-1408-SR-EU
Department: Sustainability and Resilience
Opening Date: 07/24/2025
Closing Date: 8/21/2025 5:30 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION ABOUT US At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.
Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. The mission of the Sustainability & Resilience Department is to support a sustainable, healthy, and safe Santa Barbara through reducing the City's carbon footprint, managing energy and materials use, protecting and restoring creeks and water quality, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and building local climate resilience.
Read more about the Sustainability & Resilience Department here BENEFITS THE POSITION Coordinates projects and plans for the City's Adaptation & Resilience program that holistically addresses the impacts of climate change and increases our community's resilience to hazards such as coastal erosion, sea level rise, increased flooding from changes in rainfall patterns, rising groundwater levels, longer and more severe droughts, wildfires, debris flows, extreme heat, and energy outages. Coordinates adaptation studies for City infrastructure including modifications to the sewer collection system, alterations to the Harbor breakwater and groins, and changes to recreational assets and infrastructure at the Waterfront, among others. Incorporates analysis of climate hazards and resilience measures into City regulations, policies, and procedures across all departments. Develops and processes municipal code and local coastal program amendments to incorporate risk reduction measures (development standards, flood protection measures, and buffers) into development projects. Works on supporting community resilience, particularly for disadvantaged communities, and measures to incentivize property owners to conduct improvements that reduce risks.
Scopes projects, prepares RFP's, administers contracts, and manages consultant preparation of technical studies. Coordinates with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, community members, and interdepartmental staff teams. Assists with obtaining funding for adaptation and resilience projects and manages grant administration. Coordinates with state, federal, and regional agencies and tracks legislative efforts on hazard mitigation, adaptation, and resilience issues. Conducts research on technical, policy, and legal topics related to climate change, climate hazards, flood and hazard mitigation policies, and adaptation strategies. Assists other departments with studies and permitting requirements related to analysis and mitigation of climate hazards. Meets with program stakeholders and participates in groups such as Santa Barbara Climate Collaborative Sea Level Rise Subcommittee, League of Coastal Cities Sea Level Rise Working Group, and BEACON. Assists with efforts to update the City of Santa Barbara Annex of the Santa Barbara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and communicates with CalOES/FEMA on funding for City hazard mitigation projects proposed in the plan. Writes municipal code and policy amendments. Brings projects, plans, and code changes through the City review and approval process. Prepares staff reports and makes presentations. Assists with development of outreach materials, website content, and community events.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS Knowledge of: Environmental hazards including flooding and erosion, Climate change vulnerabilities, technical hazard modeling, adaptation approaches, and implementation frameworks. Local, State, and federal laws and policies pertaining to adaptation and flooding (Coastal Act, FEMA flood regulations, State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance, etc.). Environmental permitting and associated agency protocols (CCC, ACOE, RWCB, etc.). Grant funding and application processes. California planning principles, including familiarity with different planning documents (General Plan, Local Coastal Plans, etc.) and municipal codes. Methods of research, program analysis, and report preparation. Local government administration, policies, and procedures. Basic principles and practices of project management. Community engagement an public relations techniques. Basic math. Modern office procedures, including computer hardware, Microsoft Office Suite, Excel and Powerpoint.
Ability to: Coordinate controversial, complex infrastructure projects and studies, including management of contracts, budgets, scopes of work, and allocation of resources. Build relationships to gain trust and buy in of City departments, the community, and regional, state, and federal partners. Convey difficult and complex technical concepts clearly to the public and message necessary changes to invoke action as opposed to fear of change. Write clear and concise reports, policy recommendations, and strategic planning documents. Oversee grants. Keep informed of best-practices and innovations in adaptation and resilience practices and programs and apply them locally. Ensure the prompt completion of deliverables. Quickly learn the City's organizational structure and administrative processes. Be self-motivated, effectively prioritize tasks, and manage competing deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced setting. Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures. Work independently and as part of a diverse team.
Experience and Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental studies, planning, engineering, public administration, law, or a related field. Two to three years of progressively responsible experience in environmental analysis, environmental permitting, project management, climate-related programs, sustainability programs, or planning. Experience working in or for a public agency preferred.
License Requirements: Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of appointment.
SELECTION PROCESS It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION There is currently
one (1) vacancy within the Sustainability and Resilience Department.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.
Disaster Services Assignments As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent.
STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.
- The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
- A standard 9/80 schedule is observed, with most offices closed every other Friday.
- Flexwork /Telecommuting is available.
- Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
- Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
- Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
- Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
- Holidays : 12 holidays are observed / year. Paid holiday time is awarded at the employee's applicable schedule, i.e., 9/80, 4/10, etc.
- Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
- PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New " members: 2% @ 62; City contributes employee 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
- Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet .
- Cafeteria 125 Plan : Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
- Life and AD&D Insurance : City-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment ($50,000 each) are provided.
- Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
- Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
- Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
- Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
- Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.
Revised 12/1/2024
01
Describe your experience related to climate hazards and adaptation.
02
Describe your experience coordinating complex projects or plans with multiple stakeholders.
Required Question
