Host: Port of San Diego
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g., sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Climate Mitigation, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Data Collection,

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid – For the first few months of the fellowship, we prefer that fellows work in-person every day to be able to build relationships with mentors and colleagues and better understand our office environment. After those first few months, we can discuss telecommuting options. The typical schedule is that a fellow can telework up to two days per week.

Service Needs & Plans

The Port of San Diego is in the midst of several long range planning efforts related to climate resiliency, including developing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Strategy which will serve as technical guidance to further explore ways to reduce scope 1, 2, and 3 District- and tenant-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Port also has several internal initiatives that focus on encouraging communal and individual action on topics related to the environment and sustainability as well as collaborating with our tenants to implement sustainable business practices and collectively reduce our carbon footprint. There are needs within these efforts that a fellow could support or lead to contribute to the overall objectives, including research, meeting facilitation and outreach, preparation of frameworks, and data management and analysis.

The CAP Implementation Strategy as well as the Port’s internal sustainability initiatives both address environmental concerns, as they are identifying strategies for the Port to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and exploring opportunities to enhance the San Diego Bay environment, making it a greener place to work, visit, and recreate. These efforts are related to environmental justice issues for surrounding communities, such as air quality, public health, and public access.

Project Description

Climate Action Plan Implementation Strategy
There are several focus areas within the Port’s Climate Action Plan Implementation Strategy that a Fellow would support, including water conservation and waste diversion programs, tree canopy and carbon sequestration opportunities, active transportation, employee commute patterns, as well as electrification and decarbonization. A Fellow’s role would include: working with existing programs (water conservation and waste diversion) or develop new programs (active transportation, urban forestry, commute patterns, electrification and decarbonization, and internal Port sustainability) to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting protocols; research and manage database of regional and relevant CAP strategies related to the focus areas.

Internal Sustainability Initiatives
In addition to the primary project above, there is also the opportunity for a Fellow to support the Port’s internal sustainability initiatives and other tasks as they arise based on the Port’s needs. These would involve: specific research tasks (related to climate and the environment), preparation of communication or education materials related to sustainability and climate planning initiatives, advance internal sustainability goals by creating programming for Port staff; and facilitating or participating in tenant outreach related to electrification and decarbonization goals; internal coordination to advance climate and sustainability objectives, as well as research and review of relevant materials as they relate to climate resiliency, coastal adaptation, or sustainability.

Desired Skills

A successful candidate for this fellowship position must be able to work independently but also function as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Planning and Environment Division and other Port departments such as Government & Civic Relations, Marketing & Communications, Maritime, Real Estate, Maritime, and Engineering, as well as counterparts in other agencies and industries. The professional development component of the fellowship has a strong emphasis on communication, inter-personal skills, interaction with policy and regulatory information. While there is limited opportunity in this position for direct scientific research, the ability to conduct detailed literature, legal, and administrative reviews and research will be an important contribution. In addition, previous experience with or an interest in project management would contribute to the fellow assisting with various projects that may involve creating work plans and timelines, taking meeting minutes, drafting presentations and memos, and preparing reports. Strong organizational, listening, and writing skills and a willingness to work on and interact with a broad variety of interdisciplinary projects will greatly enhance the fellowship.

Organization & Workplace Highlights

The Port of San Diego was created by the State Legislature to manage San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land through a regional governance approach in 1962. The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 deep water ports in California, and is bordered by five member cities: Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and San Diego. The Port oversees two marine cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 22 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of over 200 tenants and over 500 sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay, while balancing navigation, commerce, fisheries, recreation. Additionally, the Port is an economic engine, and environmental steward of San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands, and a provider of community services and public safety.

The selected participants will support programs and initiatives through the Port’s Planning and Environment Division. Through integrated planning, sustainable development of Port of San Diego operations, and protection and enhancement of natural resources that celebrate tidelands and waterfront life, the Planning and Environment Division includes four distinct teams and departments:
1.Aquaculture and Blue Technology
2.Environmental Conservation
3.Environmental Protection
4.Planning

The Port offers a collaborative working space, which is located just outside of downtown San Diego and close to public transportation, the San Diego International Airport, and San Diego Bay. In addition to the day-to-day training that a Fellow would receive in this position, the Port provides professional development courses and trainings that the fellow can sign up for, as well as organized site visits and get-togethers for team bonding. The Port is a strong proponent of mentorship and networking, and we encourage our Fellows to seek opportunities to grow their networks, meet regularly with mentors, and grow professionally.

In addition to the Port’s environmental justice work, such as improving air quality and reducing GHGs, that a Fellow may support in this position, the Port also has a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department. This department focuses on addressing DEI topics within the workplace and making the Port a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to work and advancing DEI as a partner throughout the region.

Community Highlights

The Port is a public corporation and government agency created in 1962, through the California State Legislature’s adoption of the San Diego Unified Port District Act (Port Act). Through the Port Act, the Port was granted the state tidelands and submerged lands in and around San Diego Bay and is entrusted to manage the diverse waterfront uses on these lands in a manner that is consistent with the California Public Trust Doctrine, promoting and balancing navigation, commerce, fisheries, recreation, and environmental stewardship. As a trustee of State lands, the Port balances these uses within its jurisdiction (Port Tidelands) for the benefit of the people of the state of California. Within Port Tidelands are the waterfronts of five cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and Coronado. The member cities appoint members to the Port’s Board of Port Commissioners.

The Port manages a wide range of uses and activities along Tidelands. In addition to our maritime uses, such as shipbuilding and cruise and marine terminals, we also manage commercial uses, such as restaurants and hotels, fishing and recreational piers, boat launches, commercial fishing harbors, parks and open space, and natural habitat areas. In addition, the Port is a leader in climate and marine technology innovation. We run a Blue Economy Incubator, building a portfolio of businesses and partnerships that deliver multiple social, environmental, and economic co-benefits to the Port and region by removing barriers to entrepreneurs and providing funding, key assets, support services including entitlement and permitting assistance, and pilot project facilitation. In addition, the Port is building a portfolio of nature-based shoreline solutions around San Diego Bay, to enhance our climate resiliency while providing ecological benefits. For example, we have implemented a native oyster living shoreline and a set of interlocking tidepools to replace riprap, and we are continuing to explore other solutions. We are excited to host another CivicSpark Fellow and encourage our Fellows to get to know Tidelands!