Energy & Climate Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Program Manager I, Grade 23)

WHO WE ARE

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with the mission to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities. DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Energy, Climate, and Compliance Division (ECCD) in DEP is responsible for the development and implementation of a variety of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability policies and initiatives that support Montgomery County’s goal to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase the use of renewable energy while ensuring that under-served communities that feel the impacts of climate change more acutely are considered in all aspects of the division’s work. 

DEP is seeking a dynamic and experienced Energy and Climate Stakeholder Engagement Program Manager (Program Manager I) to work on key programs related to energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings and zero-emission vehicles. Work primarily consists of engaging and coordinating with a wide variety of stakeholders (from building/business owners to industry groups to advocacy groups) on energy programs through trainings, meetings, developing outreach materials, and maintaining partnerships. This position also supports managers and supervisors with research and facilitating recommendations and innovative strategies to address and correct County climate and energy issues by providing background information and data to appropriate public and private groups.

The ideal and successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience in building relationships among diverse and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Ability to plan large educational conferences/events (e.g., the Montgomery County Energy Summit): securing locations, coordinating partnerships, developing educational content, engaging speakers and vendors, and performing other event logistics.
• Ability to effectively plan and facilitate meetings and community outreach initiatives among diverse and multiple stakeholder groups, in particular with business groups, multifamily owners and boards, non-profits, and local governments, to explain and provide guidance on complex energy programs and requirements.
• Strong communication (written and oral) skills including designing materials (e.g., fact sheets, posters, infographics, blogs), developing and maintaining website content, and experience with social media and marketing campaigns.
• Experience working with low-income, underrepresented, and BIPOC communities; cross-cultural competence and experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to assimilate, analyze, and disseminate information and data pertaining to energy and climate issues.

The Energy and Climate Stakeholder Engagement Program Manager position will be responsible for the implementation of a variety of energy, climate, and other sustainability policies and initiatives consistent with the goals of Montgomery County to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy performance of the built environment, and shift towards zero-emission vehicle use.

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Building relationships and partnerships and maintaining regular contact with diverse stakeholder groups, including business-owners, advocacy groups, industry representatives, other relevant groups, and the general public.
• Leading development and execution of the annual Montgomery County Energy Summit and other special energy-related events.
• Coordinating a variety of events, workshops, professional and press conferences, trainings, seminars, and public hearings.
• Developing and disseminating educational and outreach materials such as web content, blogs, case-studies, how-to guides, newsletters, and presentations, related to current and future energy and climate programs. Ensuring outreach materials are accurately translated as needed for each audience.
• Facilitating recommendations and strategies for energy and climate programs by providing background information, data, and research to appropriate public and private groups.
• Determining ways to involve the public, the private sector, and/or the business community in energy and zero-emission vehicle programs that will be mutually beneficial.
• Supporting other climate initiatives as appropriate to help the County meet its ambitious climate goals.

While the position primarily involves sedentary work performed in an office environment, some work will involve physical effort such as working outdoors in all types of weather (e.g., tabling at rain-or-shine outdoor events) and independently moving and using equipment and program materials weighing up to 60 pounds.

This position requires work schedule flexibility to meet program and stakeholder needs. Evening and weekend work will be required for events, outreach activities, and stakeholder meetings. Candidates must be able to adjust their schedule as needed to support community engagement across Montgomery County. 

This position requires possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend outreach meetings, activities, and events, and transport materials and perform other duties in support of outreach efforts to a variety of communities throughout Montgomery County.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state, and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified time frame.

Experience: Considerable (3 years) of professional experience in a program/specialization area directly related to communications, outreach, and stakeholder management in the energy, building, electric vehicles, sustainability, environmental, environmental justice, or related fields. 

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence.

Medical Exam: Medical History Review – This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess the candidate’s ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

Financial Disclosure Statement: The selected candidate will be required to complete and submit a Financial Disclosure Statement upon hire and annually thereafter. All statements are publicly available.

All applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to determine whether they meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be rated as “Qualified,” placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following areas:

• Experience planning large (e.g., 50-100 people or more) educational conferences and/or events. 
• Demonstrated experience building relationships and working with local governments and/or community-based organizations.
• Experience dealing tactfully, effectively, and equitably with a diverse set of stakeholders, including building owners and managers, real estate agents, residents, policy makers, and other partners
• Experience developing and implementing training on complex programs and requirements, and demonstrated large meeting facilitation experience.