As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time and addressing it presents an important opportunity to create a more sustainable, resilient future for our community. In 2019, New Westminster City Council declared a climate emergency, becoming the second municipality in our region to formally recognize the need for strong climate action.
Since then, the City of New Westminster (“the City”) has taken meaningful steps to reduce corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating leadership and commitment to climate solutions. As this work continues to evolve, there are exciting opportunities to build on this progress and accelerate our impact.
The City is seeking a passionate individual to join the Energy and Climate Action Department. In this unique role, the climate action team collaborates closely with the City’s municipal electric utility, enabling an integrated and innovative approach to energy management and emissions reduction. Together, the team is working to advance practical solutions that support a resilient, low-carbon, and climate-friendly future for New Westminster.
The City has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Senior Climate Action Planner (temporary), to advance the City’s corporate and community climate action initiatives as defined in the Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050 (CEEP), e-Mobility Strategy, and the Corporate Energy and Emissions Reduction Strategy (CEERS) while incorporating a climate equity focused approach. You will oversee the work of both the Corporate and Community Energy and Emissions Specialists, participate in external working groups to support innovation and advancement in the Climate Action Division policy and program development, and provide key support for other land use policy work that has climate action components. Reporting to the Manager of Climate Action, you will activate your strategic mindset, big picture and critical thinking, and political awareness to advance a fast-paced climate action portfolio.
A few key responsibilities of this position include:
- Prepare annual updates on the progress of City-wide climate action plans in response to the climate emergency declaration and the City’s Seven Bold Steps.
- Lead critical implementation actions within the City's climate action plans, such as advancing climate justice and enabling access to loc-carbon transportation.
- Oversee the preparation of the corporate GHG emission report, including Local Government Climate Action Program reporting.
- Oversee and support the advancement of the division’s major projects; including implementing and updating, as necessary, the City’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050 (CEEP), eMobility Strategy and Corporate Energy and Emissions Reduction Strategy (CEERS).
- Oversee the development of a public EV charging network implementation plan and schedule.
- Oversee ongoing electrification program design and lead program delivery planning and implementation through the Energy Save New West platform.
- Support incorporation of climate action components in other City land use, transportation and other relevant policy work.
If many of the following characteristics and skills describe you, we want to meet you!
- University graduation in an appropriate discipline, plus a post-graduate degree in a climate change and sustainability field such as planning, engineering, clean energy, environmental science, or related discipline plus considerable progressive related experience. A combination of education and experience as acceptable to the employer may be considered.
- Full membership or eligibility for full membership, or professional designation in areas such as RPP, P.Eng, PMP, CEM, CMVP, and LEED.
- You have substantive knowledge of policies and approaches to reducing energy and carbon emissions in the built environment and corporate operations.
- You have experience with local government, institutional processes, and relevant legislation, policy and bylaws.
- You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and are able to demonstrate excellence in leadership, problem-solving, analysis and implementation.
- You have strong knowledge and experience in the areas of GHG emissions reductions, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and policy planning. Experience in asset management is an asset.
- You have a proven ability to conduct comprehensive research and analysis, write and present policy papers and reports regarding complex sustainability planning and policy matters.
- You have advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office, Excel, database management, and GIS.
- You have the ability to liaise effectively with City staff, elected officials, external agencies, and the public.
- You have a proven ability to effectively participate in and lead inter-departmental project teams.
- You have experience supervising staff in a unionized environment, including project support, work planning, performance reviews, and effectively achieving results.
- You have excellent interpersonal, facilitation, collaboration, conflict resolution and record keeping skills.
- Previous experience developing a municipal community energy and emissions plan and/or a corporate energy and emissions strategy is preferred.
- The successful candidate must be able to pass and maintain a clear Police Information Check.
We offer our employees great work-life balance, including competitive salaries, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement plans (a percentage in lieu of benefits for auxiliary positions). We also offer a hybrid remote work schedule in accordance with our Remote Work Policy, opportunities for education and training, and engaging, rewarding work.
Please apply with your cover letter and resume in one document. Join a team of enthusiastic and innovative employees, and help us build a vibrant, compassionate, resilient city where everyone can thrive.
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.
We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.
