Salary : $111,380.10 - $135,383.56 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number: -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
