Climate Specialist Job ID 76854

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

This position is a temporary unclassified position and is anticipated to end: June 2026.

This position exists to direct development and implementation of tools, methodologies and approaches to assess climate impacts on and from proposed projects through environmental review. The incumbent will administer and perform advanced professional statewide environmental program work related to the goals, objectives, and strategies necessary to support, assist, lead, and provide direction to MPCA environmental review project managers in the review of climate information and data required in MPCA's environmental review documents. This work is multi-disciplinary, complex and has significant public and legislative interest.

The main responsibilities of this position include: 1) Coordination with EQB, other MPCA programs, and other state agencies to advance a shared understanding of available and developing greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator tools; and to establish, implement and enhance standardized approaches for analyzing climate impacts. 2) Assist, develop and transfer knowledge to Environmental Review Unit project managers to enable them to thoroughly review climate impacts on and from proposed projects (including analysis of GHGs, climate adaptation strategies, climate resiliency, and mitigation) in EAWs and EISs - in accordance with the EQB EAW form and EAW sector/source specific climate guidance, and 3) Update the unit's Animal Feedlot GHG calculator tool as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Two years advanced professional experience in an environmental or regulatory program. Such experience may include: experience with air dispersion/GHS modeling, carbon footprint analysis, and climate impacts evaluation including resiliency, adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Knowledge, skills, and experience using emission factors and calculator tools to quantify greenhouse gas emissions.

Knowledge, skills, and experience reviewing and developing climate adaptation, climate resiliency and climate mitigation strategies to reduce climate impacts.

Strong analytical, research, organizational, project development and communication skills/techniques.

Project management skills sufficient to manage many concurrent activities, coordinate and organize the work of others, identify critical paths, prioritize and schedule tasks.

Ability to plan, organize, collaborate and direct the work of others under tight timeframes and competing priorities. 

Ability to review and evaluate technical documents.

Experience in communicating information with broad audiences. 

Leading and directing a variety of projects and teams.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Broad knowledge of local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations and policies.

Knowledge, skills and experience in: 

   *  Leading multi-media interdisciplinary teams, building and maintaining relationships with local, state and federal agencies and other external stakeholders. 

   *  Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and implementing Minnesota Environmental Review Program requirements.

Demonstrated experience in technical writing sufficient to review and develop Environmental Review Program documents such as guidance, procedures, practices, and educational materials.

Physical Requirements

A job is in this category may require maintaining a stationary position to a significant degree or may involve a certain amount of moving necessary in carrying out job duties.

Additional Requirements

Position duties may require travel but driving is not a minimum qualification or essential function of this position. Employees who may drive for state business will need their driver's license checked prior to operating a state vehicle.

About Pollution Control Agency 

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure polluting does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.