Host: South Bay Cities Council of Governments 
Region: Southern California
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Mitigation
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers authority located in the southwest region of Los Angeles County with members of 16 cities and the South Bay portions of Los Angeles County. Members share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the South Bay sub-region. The sub-region is diverse in geography, population, ethnicity, industry, and climate zones. Residential areas include both disadvantaged (based on CalEnvroscreen3.0) and affluent communities – each with their own challenges. With much ethnic diversity, several languages are spoken. The SBCCOG developed a Sub-Regional Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Plan. In addition, the SBCCOG assisted member cities in developing their own CAP and vulnerability assessments and worked with several cities on the next step which was identifying adaptation strategies.

The CAP documents, approved in 2017-2018, set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from 2005 levels by 2020 and 49% below 2005 levels by 2035. Also included in the documents are actions to help meet these targets in four focus areas: Land Use & Transportation, Energy Efficiency, Solid Waste, Urban Greening, and Energy Generation & Storage. The SBCCOG worked with member cities to update the greenhouse gas emission to assess if they have met the 2020 milestone targets and what strategies have been completed. Updated inventories for the years 2019 and 2020 are currently in process. The SBCCOG would now like to have a complete assessment of strategies with documented achievement as well as recommendations to help cities continue to take action that reduce carbon and address climate change and help to meet state and regional agencies’ goals. This work requires resources and technical skill from the CivicSpark program.

Project Description

The Fellow will work with the South Bay member cities of Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and Torrance. to engage key stakeholders and help agencies access achievements compared to the 2020 greenhouse gas targets. In addition, the Fellow with conduct a review and analysis of State and regional agencies’ GHG reduction goals to help assess how best cities and the South Bay subregion can align strategies and efforts to meet GHG reductions. This work will also require review of completed city and subregional strategies and quantifying progress. The Fellow will also assess greenhouse gas reduction potential at the city level as a result of implementing the SBCCOG initiatives and programs.

Under the guidance from SBCCOG staff, the Fellow will:

– Facilitate and attend meetings with agencies, document activities and outcomes

– Review city and SBCCOG subregional CAPs, Adaptation Plans, GHG emissions update, and vulnerability assessments including accessing data from ICLEI ClearPath

– Conduct a literature review of existing and planned State and regional agencies GHG emission reductions goals

– Review current city and SBCCOG programs, resources, and agency reports on activities

– Establish a process for assessing and reporting city and subregional achievements

– Analyze and assess how city and sub regional efforts, goals, and achievements align with state and regional GHG reduction goals

– Recommend enhancements to city and sub-regional strategies

– Document and present findings, use GIS tools when appropriate

– Promote achievement through social media, newsletter articles, factsheets, website and other media

– Coordinate with volunteers to assist with assessment and promotion

Desired project outcomes include complete assessment of city and sub-regional achievements in reducing GHG emissions; a report on the estimate of GHG reductions that could be obtained through the full implementation of the SBCCOG climate initiatives and programs; a summary of state and regional GHG reduction goals along with a report on how cities and the sub-regional goals and activities align with these goals; recommendation on potential new and enhanced GHG reduction strategies; and collateral to promote city and sub-regional achievements.

– Based on resource restraints facing local public agencies, the work of the CivicSpark Fellow will increase the South Bay’s advancement toward addressing climate change, as laid out in the Sub-Regional CAP and Adaptation Plan as well as help align efforts with state and regional GHG reduction goals

Additionally, the CivicSpark Fellow will help agencies with disadvantaged communities to identify specific GHG reduction strategies to address the unique needs of their communities. Disadvantaged communities are identified through CalEnviroscreen 3.0.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellow will be curious, can work independently but also within a team, and have strong project management skills. The Fellow should have strong written and verbal communication skills; be an efficient multitasker; hold an interest in data; and have basic knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media platforms. They should have an interest in learning about local and regional government, climate action, GHG emission reduction strategy development, adaptation, and state policy on environment. Familiarity with local government structure, governance, graphic design, GIS and ICLEI ClearPath skills would be a plus but not required.

Organization & Community Highlights

The SBCCOG work culture can be described as inclusive, diverse, talented, collaborative and outcome oriented. Staff members reflect a range of characteristics including race, sex, gender, age, work experience and educational background. The SBCCOG prioritizes diversity in order to gain varying perspectives that enhance the workplace environment and project outcomes.

Serving with the SBCCOG will provide opportunities to work with stakeholders across various public agencies, utilities, and non-profits in Southern California. Networking activities are abundant, along with the opportunity to develop new skills. The fellow will leave the service year with personal references and projects under their belt to add to a professional portfolio.

The South Bay region is an interesting place to live and work due to its economic and cultural diversity as well as its varying geography – inland, coastal, and hillside communities. Local neighborhoods and towns have unique styles and a variety of food, museums/historical sites, cultural activities, and recreation areas.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid