It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

March 7, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

77,417.60 - 112,153.60

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30 Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

NATURAL BASED SOLUTIONS

Under limited supervision, the Sustainability Senior Program Manager provides support and coordination for all aspects of the design and implementation that advance the city’s Nature-based solutions (NBS) efforts associated with Boulder’s climate action plan and climate-related goals. Responsibilities include budgets, policy analysis, project and program management, effectiveness monitoring, and community and city engagements . This position will work independently to manage large projects or processes that include a variety of factors including economic, social, environmental and equity requirements and will track and incorporate regulatory, policy and technological developments to advise the city organization in adapting to and managing the climate crisis — particularly in the development of climate resilience in urban, natural and working landscapes. This work will include convening and managing multi-party collaborations, both within the city organization and with external stakeholders. The position requires specific subject matter expertise in the design, assessment, monitoring, and implementation of natural systems made to enhance carbon sequestration and climate change resilience benefits. This work will frequently require in-depth analysis of complex situations utilizing judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. The position may serve as a city representative to local, regional, state, and national committees.

Job Description:

NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination with Other Department Efforts:

• Coordinates with other Climate Initiatives Department teams to ensure effective integration of NBS, energy and circular materials strategies and actions.

• Organizes and participates in cross-departmental teams coordinating integration of NBS efforts in broader city plans and actions.

City-wide Nature Climate Solutions (NCS) Strategy:

• Supports the NBS manager in coordinating the development and implementation of a city-wide NBS strategy.

• Organizes collaboration between the city and organizations, as well as coordinates multi-organization/multi-stakeholder engagement within the broader community.

• Coordinates meetings, projects, and actions with other city departments and community organizations/stakeholders, and monitors and reports progress towards department and work group workplan targets.

Natural Climate Solutions Policy:

• Coordinates with multiple city departments in assessing the areas for potential city policy development supporting the development and implementation of critical natural climate solutions.

• Research’s policy options and coordinate teams of both internal and external stakeholders and subject matter specialists in developing and implementing local policy provisions designed to further NBS actions.

Regional/State Action:

• Develops and/or support regional/state level implementation initiatives designed to pilot or refine systems-scale NBS actions such as regional urban forestry scale-up, carbon markets development, ecosystem services marketplaces, regional green infrastructure development, or other similar initiatives.

• Develops and/or participates in regional/state level NBS policy assessments including work with state policy makers in the development and implementation of new NBS policies at both state and federal levels.

Coordinate Community Engagement:

• Works with city communications and engagement staff and external stakeholders and community organizations to develop and manage community engagement opportunities. This will include both opportunities for the community to shape city actions and investments, and support to community-based, community-led NBS efforts through coordinating, resourcing, and supporting education, shared learning, and collaborative action led by community-based organizations.

• Participates directly in utilizing the city’s racial equity guidelines and engagement with the city’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) teams to insure broad and inclusive engagement internally and externally.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to demonstrate experience with progressively increasing responsibility in leadership and program management.

• Ability and willingness to attend evening meetings and weekend events.

• Knowledge and experience in landscape and ecosystem assessment and management, project development and management, science communications, and policy development.

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.

• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to demonstrate cross-cultural communication and collaboration, engagement with BIPOC communities, experience in large-scale land restoration/regeneration projects, significant science communication experience, regional, state, or national level policy experience.

• Ability to effectively present arguments and positions through written and oral medium.

• Ability to demonstrate experience in managing projects and programs with multiple tasks, multiple team members, and tracking deliverables and outcomes with limited supervision.

• Ability to be comfortable with change and uncertainty. Can be effective and make work- appropriate decisions based on available data.

• Knowledge and experience to generate creative options to determine effective ways to create and improve services valued by customers and the community. Evaluates ideas for their practical and creative merits as solutions to current and future problems.

• Knowledge of process and procedures in the organizational or planning environment leveraging interpersonal skills and relationships to work through available processes and resources, using both informal and formal channels to achieve results.

• Knowledgeable in current trends, practices, technology, evaluation methodology and information associated with natural climate solutions. Specific expertise in landscape architecture, natural resources planning/management, or management experience in at least one area of natural systems management e.g. urban forestry, landscape management, regenerative agriculture, horticulture or related fields.

• Skills displaying the ability to design, convene, facilitate, and coordinate multi-jurisdiction/multi-stakeholder collaborations to achieve mutually identified goals and objectives.

• Skills demonstrating composure, confidence and respect when working with higher level management, boards and commissions, council members and business leaders and organizations, to include testifying at regulatory and legislative hearings. Believes in and supports the public process to achieving better overall outcomes for the community.

• Master’s degree in relevant field (such as landscape architecture, ecosystem planning, and land/resource management).

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (such as landscape architecture, ecosystem planning, and land/resource management); or an equivalent of 8 years’ related experience may substitute for the education requirement

• Three (3) years of professional experience in a related field.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Senior Policy Advisor – Nature Based Solutions

Supervision Exercised: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person.

• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials.

• Sufficient manual dexterity or alternative means that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment.

• Sufficient personal mobility to permit the employee to work in an office setting. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard.

• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.

• Works in a hybrid work environment that can span working remotely to working in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

• Frequently uses standard office equipment including, but not limited to, personal computers, telephones, calculators and copy/fax machines, and city vehicles.

Note: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be all-inclusive.

Additional Job Description:

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.