Environmental Planner I

Summary:

The Department of Environmental Programs of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is seeking an Environmental Planner I for the Climate and Energy and Air Quality Team.

Job ID/Number: DEP-172023

Posted Date: 10/30/2023

Job Location: Washington, DC

Position Type: Full-time

Division: Department of Environmental Programs

Description:

The successful candidate will serve as a Data Analyst for the Climate and Energy and Air Quality Team and will work with a staff team and a network of stakeholders, including elected officials, state and local government staff, utility representatives, non-profit organizations, and businesses to advance COG's climate change, energy, and air quality initiatives.

Work activities will include:

1. Provide staff support to COG's Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee (CEEPC), the Built Environment Energy Advisory Committee (BEEAC), the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC), MWAQC Technical Advisory Committee (MWAQC TAC), and Clean Air Partners. These committees handle technical, policy, and public outreach engagement activities and develop action plans and resources to address COG's regional environmental goals.
2. Provide assistance with developing meeting agendas, securing speakers, and preparing meeting summaries and other supporting materials.
3. Support local and regional climate, energy, and air quality action plan development and implementation with emphasis on climate and air quality mitigation measures.
4. Help provide resources and direct services to members to build capacity and assist in their efforts to meet action plan goals.
5. Collect and analyze regional data on energy, renewables, green buildings, alternative fueled vehicles, etc.
6. Help manage the annual energy utility survey, analyses, and maintain an energy utility database to share the data with COG members.
7. Help develop greenhouse gas emission inventories at the regional and local level, both community-scale and local government operations.
8. Handle Contribution Analysis GHG inventory modeling.
9. Handle renewable energy research and modeling.
10. Help coordinate Global Covenant of Mayors/CDP progress reporting every 2 years.
11. Help track climate, energy, and air related news and events and help prepare daily and weekly clips email and Teams postings.
12. Assist lead staff in tracking legislative and regulatory developments and preparing comment letters, as requested.
13. Provide technical data collection and analysis support to staff leading efforts to collect and analyze regional data on energy, green buildings, and alternative fueled vehicles.
14. Support efforts to develop local measures to reduce fossil-fuel energy use and improve regional air quality.
15. Assist in preparing an annual progress report and dashboard on local jurisdictions' progress toward the Action Plan goals.
16. Conduct analysis to assess progress in meeting regional program targets.
17. Help identify and develop priority measures.
18. Facilitate information sharing and transfer of best practices.
19. Provide resources and direct services to members to build capacity and assist in their efforts to meet action plan goals.
20. Support climate and energy grant projects through both administrative and technical work.
21. Support or lead trainings and workshops.
22. Prepare presentations, white papers, quantitative analyses, research reports, case studies, and planning documents to support regional and local efforts.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITY:

The candidate should have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: strong research, database, analytical, and writing skills, confidence in public speaking, strong software skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, grantees, elected officials and the public. The candidate must have knowledge and experience with environmental policies and program initiatives.

Experience with GIS systems and with the electric power sector, renewable energy, alternative fueled vehicles, and energy efficiency technology and finance a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Env. Planner I- One to Two years of relevant experience, Bachelor's Degree in planning, environmental or natural science, or appropriate related field.