Climate Justice & Engagement Associate

Climate Justice & Engagement Associate

Salary

$56.23 - $65.54 Hourly

Location

Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-00997

Department

Office of Sustainability & Environment

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/18/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

THE OFFICE

The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future. OSE is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our mission is to ensure a clean and healthy environment for every resident of Seattle. We prioritize those currently and historically harmed by racial, economic, and environmental injustice and serve as cross-departmental and community partners, innovators, and drivers of cutting-edge city policy. If you are looking to support opportunities to increase racial, social, and environmental justice throughout Seattles environmental work, look no further!

The Green New Deal (GND) for Seattle focuses on developing equitable solutions to substantially reduce climate pollution, create jobs, develop solutions that support healthy and resilient communities, advance racial equity, and invest in communities disproportionately impacted by racial, economic, and environmental inequities. The Green New Deal for Seattle started as a community-led initiative that builds off the Equity and Environment Initiative to ensure that all people and communities benefit from Seattle's environmental progress, and communities most affected by environmental injustice are engaged in setting environmental priorities, designing strategies, and tracking progress.

Job Responsibilities

THE JOB

We are recruiting applicants for the Climate Justice & Engagement Associate job. You will be the primary staff for Seattle's Green New Deal Oversight Board and expected to align the Board's priorities with City environmental priorities through your leadership, strategic guidance, clear communications, consistent agenda setting and protocols, coordination and organizing expertise, dedication to advancing climate and environmental justice, and technical assistance. You will also lead the development and implementation of engagement and organizing strategies with important external stakeholders.

You will be ready for this job if you:

Align City priorities in Climate Justice and Environmental Justice with community priorities using strong community-centered engagement and facilitation skills.

Have built partnerships with Black, Native, and Indigenous people and people of color, people with low incomes, immigrants, refugees, and English language learners to advance goals that promote racial, social, environmental, or economic justice.

Can work across diverse opinions and agendas to identify shared goals and pathways toward progress.

Gather, synthesize, respond to, and integrate feedback from internal and external partners into policy and program creation through strong listening, oral communication, and writing capabilities.

To be successful, you are committed to:

• Racial, climate, and environmental justice, equity, and inclusion.
• A positive, "can-do" attitude and a proactive, helpful strategic approach to problem solving.
• Listening to, communicating with, and engaging all people with cultural competence and respect.
• Planning ahead, anticipating needs, and following through on assignments.
• Openness to feedback and desire for continuous professional growth.

To be most effective, you have:

• Advanced Climate and Environmental Justice work.
• Provided technical assistance, coordination support, and staff capacity to a Board, Commission, or similar group with annual deliverables such as budget and policy recommendations
• Collaborated successfully with internal and external partners, moving the work towards common goals and completing required deliverables on time
• Created communication materials and shared information with partners as well as the broader public that is proactive, approachable, and provides clear, accurate information regarding project, program, or organization progress
• Engaged, built relationships, and facilitated collaborative processes and dialogue with internal and external partners
• Coordinated complex projects/programs, with attention to detail, gathering data, reporting results, and using evaluation loops to continually improve processes
• Identified situations or issues that need to be elevated to leadership

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education, and/or training, and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

Five years of experience in planning and research related to climate and environmental justice issues, conservation, public health, human services, urban economics, land use, or other work directly related to City planning and development activities

OR

Four years of experience in planning and research related to climate and environmental justice issues, conservation, public health, human services, urban economics, land use, or other work directly related to City planning and development activities, and an associates degree in environmental studies, public administration, planning, or urban design

OR

Three years of experience in planning and research related to climate and environmental justice issues, conservation, public health, human services, urban economics, land use, or other work directly related to City planning and development activities, and a bachelors degree in environmental studies, public administration, planning, or urban design

Additional Information

This job is classified as a Planning & Development Specialist, Senior-BU, and is represented by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with PROTEC17-Professionals Unit. The salary range is $56.23 - $65.54. Personnel Rules will determine the salary placement of current regular City employees. New employees start at Step 1 in this 5-step salary schedule.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management. Monthly Board meetings and ad hoc community events are typically held outside of normal business hours.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

In addition to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• A cover letter explaining how your experience, skills, and values align with this job

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattles Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Why Work for the City of Seattle? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it's a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you'll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example - inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused - while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle that thrives!

This position is open to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. The Office of Sustainability & Environment values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Office of Planning and Community Development encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided with reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov with questions or to request accommodations.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

In your own words, share an experience working on a project or initiative where you staffed or managed a group, such as providing coordination, facilitation, and planning support and leadership. The group can be a Board, Commission, project team, or any other group that met over a sustained period of time to achieve a set of goals. What was your role, how did you demonstrate your leadership in the process, and what were you able to accomplish?

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs