Clean Energy and Climate Planner II

About MAPC   

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are to promote smart growth, collaboration, climate mitigation and resilience, and equity in the region.  We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes about 100 full-time employees in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office. 

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each 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. 

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org.

About the Department 

MAPC's Clean Energy Department provides a range of services to communities, including climate and net zero planning and technical assistance focused on developing and implementing local clean energy and climate plans, policies, and programs. We help with the entire clean energy cycle, from planning through implementation, tracking, and reporting. We ground our work in inclusive community engagement and support communities in centering equity - especially racial equity - in plans, policies, and programs. Our work aims to rapidly drive down greenhouse gas emissions, end dependence on fossil fuel consumption in the Commonwealth, build community resilience, and support a just clean energy transition. 

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Work with the Clean Energy, Transportation, Economic Development, and other teams at MAPC to lead efforts to monitor, share information on, and pursue federal funding opportunities for municipalities from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and other federal programs. 
• Lead or support projects with municipalities to develop equitable plans, policies, and programs to advance vehicle electrification, as well as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate goals.  
• Lead the management of Green Communities projects and support administration of the program.  
• Research, write, prepare, design, and present reports, briefs, and other materials to relevant stakeholders, including municipal boards and staff. 
• Organize in-person and virtual clean energy and climate-related forums, events, workshops and working groups, presenting content and facilitating public discussions. 
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to help municipalities evaluate and develop strategies to meet their climate and equity goals. 
• Assist the Clean Energy Department’s pursuit of grants and other funding sources, technical assistance, and new project development. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships between MAPC and municipal partners, community groups, utilities, state and federal agencies, foundations, and other relevant stakeholders. 

Occasional evening events, daytime 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 a Zipcar account, MBTA pass, and BlueBikes membership.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have a Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience work experience in the clean energy, climate, or planning fields OR a Master’s degree and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working directly on clean energy or climate issues. 
 

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following: 
 

• Knowledge and understanding of current practices and trends in clean energy, electric vehicles and sustainable transportation, climate equity, and/or related planning fields.  
• Strong commitment to equity and climate justice. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a wide variety of audiences including municipal staff, elected officials, state agencies, community organizations, and the public. 
• Experience working with federal programs and grant opportunities and/or a strong interest in learning.  
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and interpretation, and communicating results. 
• Experience designing and managing projects and budgets, multi-tasking, balancing priorities, and meeting deadlines within projects. 
• Ability to work well independently, as well as collaborate within a team setting. 
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships and relationships with external stakeholders, including frontline communities and community-based organizations, and facilitating discussions and processes with partners and the public. 
• Multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and/or cross-cultural experience. 
• Some experience in climate, energy efficiency, and renewable energy data management and analysis, program models, technologies, and/or tools.  
• Demonstrated interest in learning on the job and keeping up to date on emerging and innovative topics within the field. 

NOTE: Interested applicants who do meet most but not all the qualifications are encouraged to apply. 

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees, including remote employees, must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including the Bivalent booster. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law. 

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.