Host: County of Santa Barbara – Sustainability Division
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g., sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Climate Mitigation
Skills Needed: Bilingual, Community Engagement, Community Outreach, Stakeholder Engagement,

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid – We are mostly remote-based, however, we do have in-person activities like network meetings, conferences, site visits and Earth Day. This would amount to likely no more than once-a-month in-person attendance.

Service Needs & Plans

The County of Santa Barbara suffers from a multi-crisis of increasing climate impacts, inequality and housing un-affordability. The Sustainability Division leads policy, programs and projects across a broad portfolio of work areas, including (but not limited to) energy, transportation, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation and equity.

The Sustainability Division will begin implementation of its recently adopted 2030 Climate Action Plan, as well as grant-funded efforts in Guadalupe, Lompoc and Cuyama Valley, all of whom are disadvantaged communities.

Project Description

The County seeks support with implementation and planning of several electric mobility projects including public electric vehicle charging projects, transitioning County fleet to electric and zero-emission vehicles and increasing access to clean mobility at affordable housing properties. Projects may include developing an internal Electric Vehicle Charging Station Implementation manual; performing outreach, education and assistance for establishing charging stations and/or car-sharing stations. The fellow would provide support in building the County’s capacity to implement more public charging station projects and serve housing properties.

The County seeks support with the implementation and coordination of partners and projects in Guadalupe, Lompoc and Cuyama Valley. The County has grant-funded projects with local agencies and non-profits that will build community capacity to enhance local climate resilience. Projects may include providing committee coordination and support, organizing in-person networking events, conducting outreach and providing project support to local partners. This would result in the expansion of the Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative’s network and active presence in northern Santa Barbara County.

Desired Skills Organization & Workplace Highlights

The Sustainability Division is a division within the Community Services Department, which includes Parks, Libraries, Arts & Culture and Housing & Community Development. We are a small team focused on delivering innovative and collaborative programs and projects. We try to foster an open and fun environment, even while working remotely.

The Sustainability Division has led the County in several JEDI areas. We created the Equity Advisory & Outreach Committee which advises County planning efforts and projects. We initiated a collaborative effort to work with Promotores to conduct outreach in Spanish and Mixteco. We are allies to the Central Coast Climate Justice Network.

Because we are a small division, there are lots of opportunities to support and lead initiatives, as well as interact with a variety of topic areas and stakeholders.

As the supervisor, I am available for daily check-ins and weekly meetings. I offer as many opportunities to learn from others, participate in different events and activities and network. I encourage fellows to practice their soft skills, like public speaking.

Community Highlights

Santa Barbara County is blessed with beaches, mountain and an eclectic culture. There is an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, breweries and wineries. The County is a microcosm of the country; there is a dichotomy between the more affluent, liberal south coast and the more industry-friendly north county. The structural and political challenges of climate change and climate policy are intriguing and complex.