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Climate Change Consultant

Employer
Sustainability Solutions Group Workers Cooperative
Location
Los Angeles County, California, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
May 11, 2021

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Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Climate Change
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
Job Description
Climate Change Consultant:

This position is remote and we are actively looking for candidates in California. We are a Canadian-based company.

ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS GROUP

SSG is a worker co-operative founded in 2001 to do creative, challenging, and values-based work. Our vision is decarbonized, healthy, equitable communities for everyone, and our purpose is to create meaningful work for our members. We work in:
  • Energy and emissions modelling and planning for communities and local governments;
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation planning;
  • Community engagement;
  • Community and health planning;
  • Neighbourhood planning and design;
  • Energy systems planning;
  • Research, and more.

In collaboration with our partners at whatIf? Technologies, we have evolved a leading practice in creating decarbonization pathways for cities.
SSG has historically carried out the majority of its work in Canada and is currently looking to establish a greater presence in the United States.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

While a global challenge, the costs of climate change - and the costs of climate change action - are not evenly distributed. We recognize that our work has significant implications for equity-denied communities, and are committed to promoting climate justice as part of our work. SSG has explicit commitments* to diversifying our organization, decolonizing our ways of working, making our workplace more inclusive, and making equity a larger focus of the projects we undertake.

We are looking for values-aligned consultants who can contribute their innovative thinking to this growing area of work. As such, we highly encourage BIPOC applicants, LGBTQAI+, people with disabilities, and others from historically marginalized communities to apply.

* https://tinyurl.com/2h8zuvh9

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Consultant will lead the development of SSG's business in the United States. Primary responsibilities will include liaising with U.S. cities and project-delivery partners, identifying trends and opportunities to support cities, preparing proposals, and helping to shape SSG's U.S. Business Development strategy.

The Consultant will also support SSG's climate action planning project work in the U.S. and Canada. Project delivery work will include report writing, policy reviews, data collection, quality assurance, and knowledge management. The candidate will work with other SSG Consultants and our sister organization, whatIf? Technologies Inc.

In addition to project-focused work, all workers at SSG contribute to SSG's strategic and organizational development. The Consultant will be expected to assist and/or lead internal projects that may be related to strategic development, organizational knowledge management, or internal organizational equity work, among other things, on an as-needed basis.

SSG's ideal candidate is looking for long-term employment, with an interest in becoming a committed member-owner of the co-operative.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant will work alongside a team of consultants to propose, lead, and deliver on climate action plans. The key focus areas of this position are as follows.

1. US Business Development Strategy
  • Establish a U.S. presence for SSG, including helping SSG to navigate in a new legislative environment, with a particular focus on California climate policy and legislature.
  • Regularly evaluate SSG's U.S. business development activities against our business development strategy.
  • Identify and develop new opportunities for advancing climate action in our target sectors, including Federal and state policies and funding programs.
  • Working with SSG Principals, update the U.S. component of our business development as required.
  • Participate in and contribute to SSG's Business Development team meetings to provide guidance.

2. Outreach
  • Liaise with the municipal and state governments and relevant networks to identify project opportunities for work with SSG.
  • Develop a network of like-minded local or national partners to support project delivery where required.
  • Identify and attend relevant conferences representing SSG (likely 2-3 conferences per year).
  • In coordination with SSG's communications team, develop and deliver a communications/storytelling strategy that could include webinars, social media and website content.

3. Proposal Writing
  • Track relevant RFPs from key client sectors.
  • Work with SSG's Business Development Coordinator to prepare proposals for review and approval by SSG's Business Development Lead. Proposals are typically responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from cities, governments, and large institutions. The proposal drafting phase includes:
    • Evaluate and respond to the requirements of each RFP;
    • Develop the project method and work plan;
    • Prepare a budget and schedule; and
    • Coordinate communication with potential partners and gather necessary documents.
  • Act as the primary point of contact with potential US clients during the RFP-response process.

4. Project Delivery

Working closely with SSG Principals, the Consultant will contribute to delivering projects, which can include:
  • Analysis, interpretation, and reporting on energy and emissions data;
  • Policy reviews (municipal and other);
  • Analysis and report writing for financial and technical data, as well as public-facing plans; and
  • Community engagement, including hosting and facilitating workshops.

5. Contributing to the Co-operative

SSG's workers are invested in contributing to the success of the co-operative, which means participating in-and sometimes leading-non-project-focused work, such as:
  • Working with team members to improve organizational processes, streamline project delivery, and contribute to ongoing organizational innovation;
  • Participating in the governance structure of the co-op; and
  • Participating in the broader co-op movement.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and attributes:
  • Passion for and dedication to substantively address climate change.
  • Entrepreneurial outlook and ability to take initiative.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability and inclination to lead and manage projects.
  • Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to think critically, creatively, and to problem-solve.
  • High degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently.
  • Proven track record of success working on project teams.
  • Comfort working virtually with a distributed workforce.
  • Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice.
  • Flexibility to adapt to different levels of workloads and schedules.
  • Ability to work in a non-hierarchical environment.


  • The following qualifications and attributes are considered assets but are not requirements for the successful candidate:
  • Advanced knowledge of US city governance as it relates to urban/community planning, and knowledge of climate action planning.
  • Established networks within US city governments and/or climate planning firms.
  • Prior experience working with a municipal government on climate action or relevant themes such as transportation or land-use planning or policy.
  • Familiarity with and/or enthusiasm for worker co-operatives.
  • Knowledge or expertise in incorporating equity into planning processes.
  • Bilingual or multilingual.
  • Familiarity with new U.S. federal climate initiatives initiated by the Biden-Harris Administration.


  • SOFTWARE

    SSG's primary software tools include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe (Acrobat DC, InDesign), Slack, Zoom, Wrike, and Zotero. Previous knowledge of these tools is not necessarily required and can be taught on the job.

    SALARY, BENEFITS, AND PROFIT-SHARING

    SSG workers are paid according to a salary scale that factors in years of professional experience and years worked at SSG. SSG workers are paid an hourly rate based on monthly hours worked. SSG expects the salary of the successful candidate to fall close to US$30/hour. SSG offers flexible holiday pay, 2 weeks of health & family care leave, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and a stipend for professional development. If the hired candidate resides in the U.S., SSG will also offer a health care stipend.

    This position will be eligible for membership in the co-operative (i.e. co-ownership) within roughly six months. SSG distributes a minimum 50% of its annual net income back to its members. Income distribution is in the form of shares and cash, as determined by SSG's Board of Directors.

    WORKING AT SSG

    SSG has a relatively flat staff structure and payscale. Climate change and social justice values are embedded throughout our organization and work. SSG is a distributed organization with staff in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, as well as Chile.

    The Consultant will work from home or from a co-working space (e.g. HiVE Vancouver) with occasional out-of-town travel for work. Typical work hours will fall within the Pacific, Eastern, and Atlantic time zones. Extensive work at a computer is required. SSG offers flexible work hours, and overtime and/or late night work may be required.
    Company DescriptionSSG is a worker co-operative founded in 2001 to do creative, challenging, and values-based work. Our vision is decarbonized, healthy, equitable communities for everyone, and our purpose is to create meaningful work for our members. We work in:

    - Energy and emissions modelling and planning for communities and local governments;
    - Climate change adaptation and mitigation planning;
    - Community engagement;
    - Community and health planning;
    - Neighbourhood planning and design;
    - Energy systems planning;
    - Research, and more.

    In collaboration with our partners at whatIf? Technologies, we have evolved a leading practice in creating decarbonization pathways for cities.

    SSG has historically carried out the majority of its work in Canada and is currently looking to establish a greater presence in the United States.

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