Senior Climate & Sustainability Analyst

Cascadia Consulting Group is a women-owned, private environmental consulting firm with 31 years of experience developing and implementing innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Cascadia works with public and private-sector clients to advance sustainability through climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy efficiency, recycling and materials management, pollution prevention, transportation demand management, and water and natural resources management. The Cascadia team brings both established expertise and creative thinking to research and analysis, strategic planning, program design and implementation, outreach, social marketing and behavior change, and evaluation roles. From our offices in Oakland (CA), Seattle (WA), and some remote employees, we serve clients across the country and abroad. 

At Cascadia, we strive to create an equitable and inclusive environment at all levels of the organization. Having staff and partnerships that reflect the diverse communities we serve empowers us to shape innovative and effective solutions together with those most impacted by social, human, and environmental health challenges. 

Position Overview:

Cascadia is currently seeking a Senior Climate and Sustainability Analyst to lead climate and sustainability analyses and planning efforts for local government clients. These projects often include quantification of past, current, and future greenhouse gas emissions; assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilities; identification and prioritization of climate strategies; and synthesis into a clear and actionable climate action plan. Specifically, the Senior Analyst will:

• Lead project and team management duties for climate- and sustainability-related analytical projects, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, GHG emission reduction “wedge” analysis tools, climate vulnerability assessments, and sustainability dashboards. 

• Lead development and delivery of analysis tasks, including quality control / quality assurance (QAQC) review and management tasks such as budgeting, planning, client communication, directing staff and/or subcontractors, reporting, and invoicing.

• Lead and support advanced qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts/risks, including through model/tool development, multi-criteria analysis, cost-benefit analysis, survey analysis, spatial analysis, literature reviews, and desktop research on climate topics such as energy and transportation.

• Lead development of climate action plans and sustainability plans, primarily for local government clients.

• Lead the synthesis and translation of complex information into clear, informative, and compelling materials (e.g., summaries, fact sheets, presentations, online dashboards, reports) for diverse audiences.

• Lead equitable and inclusive stakeholder and public engagement around climate and sustainability issues (e.g., online workshops and public events, social media, online open houses).

• Lead facilitation of large multi-stakeholder meetings, workshops, task forces, and committees related to technical climate and sustainability-related topics.

• Actively reflect and improve upon efforts to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts into client work.

• Lead business development opportunities, including leading bidding processes, potential client meetings/interviews, marketing activities (e.g., conference presentations), and proposal development.

• Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with Cascadia’s reputation and standards for producing high-quality work products and outcomes.

• Effectively write and verbally communicate using a diversity of styles and perspectives.

• Manage tasks and projects (e.g., monitor budgets, support partners, manage subcontractors and invoicing, and lead client communications).

• Lead team skills development and training, such as through resource creation, on-the-job coaching, constructive feedback, and presentations.

• Occasional travel, when permissible, including meetings, overnight stays, or other activities outside standard work hours may be required.

Qualifications:  

A demonstrated ability to successfully perform the above listed responsibilities typically includes 5-7 years of education and/or professional work experience that shows a significant portion of the following experience and ability: 

• Advanced understanding of climate change science and related topics, including greenhouse gas accounting, GHG reduction and resiliency strategies, and projected climate impacts.

• Demonstrated experience supporting strategic plans, climate action plans, or other similar environmental or sustainability plans. 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including ability to create dynamic, user-friendly tools and analyses using functions such as index-match, pivot tables, Power Query, data validation, and conditional formatting.

• Advanced PowerBI skills, including ability to create dynamic, visually appealing public-facing online dashboards displaying GHG emissions trends or other sustainability metrics.

• Intermediate to advanced GIS skills, including ability to conduct spatial climate vulnerability analyses.

• Experience with GHG emissions inventory tools/protocols, such as the ICLEI ClearPath software, the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and the Local Government Operations Protocol.

• Experience developing, managing, and tracking project budgets and teams of different sizes and scopes, including managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.

• Experience building client relationships, delivering engaging presentations, and writing successful proposals.

• Advanced experience producing deliverables with Microsoft Office 365 programs including SharePoint, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Excellent organizational skills, data management and analysis abilities, and attention to detail. 

• A commitment to racial equity and the ability to apply racial equity principles to project work with clients, partners, and colleagues in an innovative and culturally responsible way while exhibiting emotional intelligence (i.e., culturally responsive engagement and facilitation).

• Knowledge of federal and state climate laws and regulations, with a focus on California and Washington.

We encourage you to apply if you think you'll be successful in this job. This position is a Senior Associate with our firm (distinguished from a Project Coordinator and an Associate.) The experience and education typical to demonstrate this level of ability is a four-year degree in a related field (e.g., environmental studies) and at least 5-7 years of relevant post-graduate education and/or professional work experience. Ultimate placement and compensation offer is dependent on experience and demonstrated skills and abilities through the selection process. 

Location:

The position is based in either Seattle, WA or Oakland, CA and the candidate must be available for local client meetings but may otherwise work remotely. Cascadia does have physical office space in both cities and a culture that encourages in-person engagement with colleagues while supporting remote flexibility.

Note: Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense. 

Cascadia Consulting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, ancestry, height, weight (including obesity), national origin, religious beliefs and practices including the wearing of religious clothing, jewelry or artifacts, and hair styles or body hair which are part of an individuals’ observance of their religious beliefs, gender identity (transgender status), sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, domestic partner status, political ideology, age, disability (sensory, mental, or physical – including the use of a trained dog guide or service animal), veteran or military status, medical condition (e.g., pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or other related medical conditions; cancer, cancer related illness, or record or history of cancer; HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status; gender dysphoria), genetic characteristics (e.g., non-symptomatic carriers of inheritable diseases), retaliation for filing a whistleblower complaint, retaliation for opposing an unfair practice, or other basis protected by law. 

This is a full-time, salary, exempt, local-remote position. Salary rates are based on experience and competitive with jobs in the environmental sector; Our full Senior Associate, Levels I-III, annual salary range is $89,252 - $126,263. *Note: If the final candidate is local to our Oakland, California office, the range would reflect a +8% location differential.

Cascadia offers a flexible workplace with the potential to work from home and the office, a generous benefits package, including health insurance for employees at or above 60% full-time equivalent, 401(k) with an employer match, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, transportation subsidies, flexible spending accounts, generous paid time off (per annum: 3 weeks’ vacation, 10 holidays, 9 sick days pro-rated for FTE equivalency), professional development opportunities, sabbaticals, and paid parental leave. Cascadia also closes between December 25 and January 1 for a company-wide, paid winter break.

Submit a compelling cover letter and a chronological resume here.

Your cover letter should highlight the ability to meet the criteria outlined above, relevant work experience, education, and your interest and passion for this position. Please state where you learned about the position. If your resume does not currently reflect the requested experience, please explain your adjacent skills and/or experience as applicable to this position. Applications will be accepted until the closing date of Thursday May 23rd, 2024.