Host: City of Pacifica
Region: Bay Area
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

The fellow will work in coordination with City Council, City staff, and the Pacifica community in addressing a top City Council priority for this coming year – updating Pacifica’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). By augmenting City staff in the coordination, development, community engagement, and drafting necessary to prepare the updated CAAP, the fellow will assist the City of Pacifica in taking this crucial next step towards identifying the ways it will reduce its carbon footprint and improve its response to the ongoing effects of a changing climate.

Project Description

The City seeks a fellow who will support the completion of a top City Council priority for this coming year – updating Pacifica’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). The fellow will assist with the technical analysis and community engagement necessary to complete the City’s proposed CAAP development milestones: a GHG Inventory and Forecast, establishing Goals and Targets, developing the Initiatives, an Implementation Plan, and finally completing a draft CAAP for Council consideration and adoption. The CAAP will be the playbook for the City of Pacifica in how to not only identify the ways, but also the steps necessary to reduce its carbon footprint and improve its response to the ongoing effects of a changing climate.

Desired Skills

A deep knowledge base in climate change

High level of professionalism

Self-motivated and proactive

Ability to work independently

Strong writing and communication skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to collaborate effectively with City staff and community members

Willingness to embrace community-led decision making and observe without interference

Organization & Community Highlights

The City of Pacifica is a beautiful community located on the California coast, just south of San Francisco and framed in by mountain ranges to the east and south and by the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean on the west. Famous for surfing and excellent hiking, Pacifica is a sought-out destination for lovers of the outdoors, and those who want access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s limitless offering of events and activities, without the hustle and bustle of a big city.

The City of Pacifica as an agency is a mirror of its community: conscientious, engaged, tight knit, and relatively small. Made of up 280 full and part time staff, staff represent every slice of humanity and the globe. The Executive Team members model servant leadership and a passion for community service and those who join the staff tend to share those values, finding fulfillment in the exciting challenge of meeting community needs. The City also actively supports a healthy work-life balance and places priority on the wellbeing of its staff, offering hybrid work, when possible, an employee assistance program, and encouraging staff to make use of their leave time.

As a smaller organization, City staff have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with other departments and have exposure to a broad spectrum of local government work, expanding knowledge and appreciation for how all the parts of the organization work with and for each other. The City is part of San Mateo County, which is neighbor to both San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and staff have the opportunity to be part of numerous regional groups collaborating across the full spectrum of government services, providing abundant networking, collaboration, and professional development opportunities.

For its people and its beauty, Pacifica is wonderful place to work.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid