Host: City of Tacoma – Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability
Region: Washington
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g., sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Climate Mitigation, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Transportation / Mobility, Green Economy
Skills Needed: Community Engagement, Project Management, Community Outreach, Environmental Justice,

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid – Flexible with work schedule, at least two days a week in person.

Service Needs & Plans

The City of Tacoma adopted its third Climate Action Plan in 2021, aiming to achieve various climate targets and actions by 2030. This comprehensive plan articulates actions towards reaching Tacoma’s overarching environmental objectives, as well as specific emission reduction targets. Tacoma is actively developing and implementing programs and initiatives to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, including promoting active transportation, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, fostering safe, equitable, and walkable neighborhoods, and enhancing the city’s green business infrastructure.

Through its Climate Adaption Strategy, Tacoma is actively engaged in initiatives to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as increasing tree canopy coverage, establishing community resiliency hubs, green businesses and safeguarding and restoring local waterways.

As the deadline for 2030 milestones approach, the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability (OEPS) is seeking support to effectively implement the actions outlined in our Climate Action Plan. Additionally, we aim to collaborate regionally on innovative programs and initiatives to position Tacoma as a leader in fostering a safer, more equitable, resilient, and sustainable community.

Project Description

Project Descriptions
• Community Engagement and Outreach: Engage with diverse community groups on climate and sustainability topics. This involves presenting at local conferences, collaborating with various community organizations, partnering with the Sustainable Tacoma Commission, and spearheading communication efforts for the office. Develop engaging content for OEPS social media platforms and website. Assist with the South Sound Sustainability Expo, gather feedback, and contribute to workgroups as needed. This will enhance our office’s ability to effectively communicate our progress to the community, while also facilitating greater feedback and outreach on the climate justice and resiliency related initiatives our office is actively engaged in.

• Green Economy: Lead the coordination of the EnviroStars Green Business program in partnership with Tacoma Public Utilities, Environmental Services, and Green Economy Specialists, alongside external consulting partners. Supervise the execution of the Tacoma Green Business recognition initiative. Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan establishes a goal of accrediting 100 EnviroStars businesses, comprising both new recognitions and reaccreditations. This position will also assist in supporting our Tacoma Green Business Alliance which was started in 2024. This aligns with our office’s objectives in the Green Economy section of our Climate Action Plan, facilitating progress towards our targets.

• Decarbonization (Tacoma transportation and buildings): Engage in municipal and community decarbonization initiatives, leveraging available funding opportunities and partnerships. This role will support our office’s continuous efforts, especially as additional funding is secured for various decarbonization projects aligned with our Community and Municipal Building Decarbonization Strategies. Support municipal facility and fleet performance documentation, analysis, and progress reporting. Responsibilities include providing assistance across project creation, execution, monitoring performance, and playing a role in overall success.

• Overall Climate Action Plan Implementation and Progress: Support the office in executing diverse projects in line with the Climate Action Plan objectives like the Sustainable Small Grant program. Contribute to gathering data and monitoring progress for the Climate Action Plan Progress Report. With community input, propose new actions and targets for the Climate Action Plan updates as needed. This collaborative effort will expand our office’s impact in climate initiatives and enable us to further enhance sustainability efforts in Tacoma.

Desired Skills

Our office is seeking a proactive individual who can work independently while also thriving in a collaborative team environment. The ideal candidate should demonstrate interest in sustainability and environmental topics, and a desire to learn and enhance a diverse set of skills, including communication, writing, event/program planning, and policy analysis. Many areas of the fellowship’s project responsibilities can be tailored to align with the individual’s interests and strengths. If you’re deeply passionate about environmental and social justice and thrive on collaborative, creative problem-solving, this is an exceptional opportunity to break down barriers and expand access to Tacoma’s environmental resources.

Organization & Workplace Highlights

The Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability (OEPS) is a unique department within city government. Our office collaborates with City’s many internal departments toward achieving the City’s climate goals. Through many forms of community engagement, we work to educate, inspire and activate residents on climate and sustainability matters. A small office within a large organization, our team of professionals thrives on innovation. We tackle projects such as decarbonization, municipal emission reduction, community resiliency, and forging partnerships with community groups and non-profits to initiate sustainable and resiliency projects in Tacoma. Our office is committed to advancing climate resilience through initiatives and programs that prioritize serving overburdened and frontline communities. Our goal is to promote equity and climate justice for all members of our community.

Community Highlights

Tacoma, nestled in Pierce County, stands as Washington’s third-largest city with around 200,000 residents and one of the fastest growing communities on the west coast. In close proximity to Seattle and Portland, as well as an abundance of beautiful outdoors and great recreational activities. The City of Tacoma has an abundant of opportunities for engagement with environmental community organizations, non-profits, and events. There are various local organizations dedicated to outdoor restoration projects, such as the Pierce Conservation District and Tacoma Tree Foundation, providing excellent avenues for community involvement. Additionally, sustainability-focused organizations like Communities for Healthy Bay organize monthly gatherings like Green Drinks, offering valuable opportunities for fellow to expand their learning and network. With its unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities, Tacoma offers a plethora of intriguing sites, vibrant arts scenes, and diverse neighborhoods to explore, allowing many activities for fellows to immerse themselves in the community.