Director Of Clean Energy

Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks a Director of Clean Energy, who will oversee the agency’s regionwide efforts to build a more climate-resilient Greater Boston, with a focus on increasing energy efficiency, electrifying buildings and vehicles, expanding the use of renewable energy, and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Director, who is a key member of the agency’s leadership and policy team, manages a team of 8 full-time staff and reports to the Deputy Executive Director for Planning & Sustainability.
The Clean Energy Department provides energy- and climate-related technical assistance to cities and towns, procures goods and services to meet the region’s clean energy and climate needs, and works with state and local officials and other stakeholders to advance clean energy and climate policy. The Director will guide the Department’s strategic direction; identify partnerships, funding, and programmatic opportunities; assess and guide policy, planning, and project implementation; and serve as an innovative thought leader on energy and climate issues for the agency and the region.
This is an exceptional opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for everyone who lives and works in Metro Boston.
About MAPC
MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, regional collaboration among municipalities and other stakeholders, climate mitigation and resilience, and advancing equity – especially racial equity – throughout our region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050, which was adopted in 2021 after a 3-year planning process. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office. MAPC operates as a hybrid workspace, with staff combining time in the office with remote work.
MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each and every staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Plan and implement strategies, programs, and projects to advance MAPC’s aggressive clean energy and climate agenda; adjust and update that agenda to take advantage of opportunities and address changing regional needs.
• Position MAPC as a trusted thought leader and content expert in the clean energy field, building relationships with local and state leaders, alongside community partners and other stakeholders.
• Develop innovative and emerging models and programs related to decarbonization, clean heating and cooling, energy efficiency, clean energy supply, electric vehicles, electrification more broadly, energy resilience, and climate mitigation and resilience more broadly.
• Focus on the intersection between energy/climate policy and racial equity, with an emphasis on engaging and empowering groups that are traditionally under-represented in planning and implementation processes.
• Play a leadership role in helping cities and towns to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, promote climate mitigation and resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential, commercial, and municipal sectors and across buildings, mobility, natural and working lands, and energy supply.
• Oversee MAPC climate and clean energy programs, including the COVID-Safe Cooling Program, Accelerating Climate Resilience Program, Metro Mayors Coalition Climate Taskforce, and the Municipal Net Zero Playbook, as well as mission-critical collective procurements for municipalities and state agencies.
• Work with state agencies and municipalities to implement Commonwealth energy and climate programs, including the Green Communities Program, Regional Energy Planning Assistance Grants, and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grants.
• Provide direction on and advocate for local, regional, state, and federal energy and climate policy. This includes drafting written and oral testimony and offering feedback on regulations and program guidelines at all levels of government.
• Seek out opportunities to implement policy and project recommendations from MAPC’s regional policy and land use plan, MetroCommon2050, as well as MAPC’s Municipal Net Zero Playbook.

• Manage a departmental budget of >$1.3M, 8 full-time staff, and intern(s). Serve as a mentor and leader of staff, developing relationships that are supportive and focused on professional development.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local, state, and federal appointed and elected officials and agency staff, community and advocacy groups, business organizations, institutions, the media, and coalitions.

Evening meetings, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership.

Qualifications

Candidates should have either a Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of six (6) years of professional experience, including work in clean energy or climate, with progressively advancing responsibilities, including management experience OR a Master's degree in planning, policy, public administration, environmental or climate science, or a related field, plus a minimum of four (4) years of such professional experience.
The successful candidate will have all or most of the following attributes:

• Recognized and active content expert and strategic thought leader in the field who maintains an established network of relationships in relevant sectors.

• Demonstrated success influencing public policy and/or community plans and programs to achieve clean energy and climate goals that align with MAPC’s mission.
• Ability and interest in advocating for greater equity in the climate, energy, and sustainability space and fluency discussing various types of diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g., racial, ethnic, linguistic, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation).
• Proven ability to convey energy and climate topics, issues, and data to a wide variety of audiences, including municipal staff, state agencies, community groups, private vendors, and elected and appointed officials.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, including experience with the media and navigating energy and climate data and trends.
• Experience leading a diverse team and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and leadership.
• Experience raising grant funds, securing new contracts, and developing other business opportunities to support and advance departmental activities and foster relationships with foundations, agencies, and other funders.
• Experience multitasking and leading, managing, and balancing priorities and budgets.

Per MAPC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, the selected candidate is required to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, as defined by the CDC, by the agreed upon start date. See COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary ranges from $105,000 to $115,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development.
How to Apply
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request must be completed if offered this position. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at MAPC, but it will be reviewed in light of the position and other elements of an applicant’s resume.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.

As an MAPC employee you're offered a great career opportunity serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston - but it's more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% MAPC paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account for Health Care and Dependent Care
• Public transit commuter subsidy up to $225
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings plans: Defined Benefit Pension plan through Mass. State Employees Retirement System (MESRB) and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 11 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick and Vacation Time
• Up to 5 Discretionary days per year (based on hire date)
• 20 MAPC-paid days for FMLA qualifying events, including parental leave.
• Tuition assistance
• 100% Short-Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• Mass4You Wellness Programs and Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development
• Payment of professional dues and memberships
• On site drop-in yoga, lactation room, and work well fitness challenges
• Mass State employee cell phone data and equipment discounts
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $105,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location