BACKGROUND:

The City of Spokane is committed to supporting strategies and initiatives that create a healthy, resilient, and sustainable environment within our city boundaries and the larger region. The City Council, Mayor of Spokane, City staff, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, public and private partners, and our residents must work together to address climate change, improve air and water quality, safeguard our river and the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, and protect our natural resources. The Manager of Sustainability Initiatives (“Manager”) plays a key role in this commitment through leading and facilitating the City of Spokane’s policymaking in the area of sustainability and its public engagement on sustainability initiatives, along with research, policy analysis, report-writing, and networking.

NATURE OF WORK:

The Manager leads and facilitates the process of updating the City’s sustainability policies and provides advice and briefings to City Council members and associated staff and Administration partners on a wide variety of environmental and climate issues. They do this by evaluating, researching and facilitating extensive stakeholder groups on various policies and practices, and will provide recommendations for City Council consideration. The Manager must be an excellent problem solver, capable of analysing the pros and cons of a particular policy option, understanding the implications a proposed policy has on the City’s budget, and collaborating with large stakeholder groups. They must also know about, or be able to quickly learn, the policy cycle (how new policies are passed) and the mechanics of local government and how it interacts with other government jurisdictions.

The Manager facilitates volunteer research teams and other analysts to provide hard, quantitative evidence that supports policy recommendations. This includes conducting research and analysis on public policy and funding issues, evaluating proposed policy initiatives, and staying current on the latest scientific information available. The Manager will collaborate with the City Council Members and their Legislative Assistants, the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Director of intergovernmental affairs, Department Heads, City Employees, Government Officials, Neighborhood Councils, Residents, and other internal and external stakeholders.

SUPERVISION:

This "at-will" position performs with considerable independence and is appointed and may be discharged by the City Council President, with day-to-day supervision provided by the City Council President or their designee.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In this role you will have the opportunity to:

• Plans, coordinates, facilitates and facilitates volunteer stakeholder working groups and research teams to support related City Council priorities, including delegating tasks when needed
• Evaluates the impact of new or proposed legislation and operational policies on City resources and policy goals
• Gathers, assembles, analyzes and evaluates facts to draw logical conclusions, make recommendations and prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports which require displaying and presenting statistical, graphical, and other reporting methods to audiences of varying technical sophistication
• Reviews policy language for accuracy and understanding by constituents
• Manages administrative aspects of projects (e.g., timelines and resources)
• Writes, compiles and edits proposals and project reports
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations summarizing key elements of analysis and recommendations
• Manages community outreach and public engagement in support of the City Council’s sustainability policymaking
• Collaborates with the Administration in planning for implementation of the City of Spokane Sustainability Action Plan.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

Extensive Knowledge of:

• Government processes and structures.
• Experience and familiarity with policy research and analysis.
• Federal, state, and local law.

Ability to:

• Manage, facilitate and motivate multiple volunteer advisory groups and research teams in identified subject areas.
• Facilitate large groups with differing opinions and diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Identify, collect, organize and document data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation using current methodologies and frameworks.
• Apply systems thinking and process improvement mentality across all assignments.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing, including the ability to express complex business, financial and regulatory concepts in clear and concise language for the City Council, City Officials, City staff, and the general public; including the compilation of reports, presentations and records; and interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships and achieve results.
• Create public engagement documents across multiple platforms.
• Maintain professional skills that apply to all aspects of field of assigned specialty through continued education and/or training.
• Model effective group behavior such as listening, discussing, negotiating, encouraging and motivating.
• Remain current by reading and interpreting applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Work effectively in situations where conflicting viewpoints exist.
• Build open communications and dialogues in diverse settings.
• Work with and leads project teams.
• Make independent judgments and operates with minimal supervision.

Skill in:

• Computer operations proficiency including word processing, and various business graphics software.
• Analyzing, research and interpreting the implications of laws, case law, legislation, etc.

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. Generally this will include:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work related to Public Policy, Political Science, Social Science, Planning, Public Administration, or Law; AND
• Five (5) years’ of progressively responsible analytical experience, including experience in policy development, urban planning, transportation planning, organizational change, and strategic planning in the public or private sector.
• A Master's degree in Public Administration or Social Work, or field related to area of assignment, may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Preference for:

• Experience in government research, public policy and proposal preparation.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of transportation planning including current literature and recent developments in these areas.
• Experience working with and coordinating with stakeholders, Tribes, local partners and state agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting but may include visits to external agencies and business locations. It also involves frequent attendance at meetings, including many that are conducted outside of regular work schedule, to include some irregular hours. Employee is expected to communicate verbally, in person and by telephone. A computer terminal is used, and this requires the use of repetitive arm-hand movements.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

Demonstrate honest and ethical behavior. Maintain professional skills that apply to all aspects of assigned functions through continued education and/or training. Model effective group behavior such as: listening, discussing, negotiating, encouraging and motivating. Be respectful, courteous, and friendly to community members, other City employees, and City leaders. Consistently perform as a team player that helps the organization meet its objectives. Take initiative to meet work objectives. Effectively communicate with community members and other City employees. Maintain positive relationships with coworkers and managers. Positively represent the City, maintaining the trust City residents have placed in each of us.

As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Manager of Sustainability Initiatives is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.”

EEO STATEMENT:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status.

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical
Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium, and to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Vision
Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Life Insurance - Employee Only
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

AFLAC
Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Flexible Spending Account
The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.

LegalShield
Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance
Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Spokane Employees' Retirement System
The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.

Deferred Compensation
Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by KEPRO. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program
The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.