Climate Science Advisor

About the position The Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) is seeking a Climate Science Advisor to oversee climate science research and analysis. This role involves developing data analytics tools to inform decision-making and identify climate risks such as torrential rain, coastal flooding, and extreme heat. The advisor will work closely with MOCEJ staff on monitoring and updating climate and environmental data for various data products, including the Environmental Justice NYC (EJNYC) report and mapping tool, energy use and affordability, and methodologies for tracking emissions and air quality. The position is within the team led by the Deputy Executive Director for Planning, Adaptation and Environmental Justice.

Responsibilities

• Lead climate data analytics to drive decision-making and inform climate policy for MOCEJ, partners in government, and external stakeholders.
• Develop and manage innovative products and services that visualize data, concepts, and other actionable information, as well as build internal capacity to use scientific evidence in ongoing policymaking, planning, and operations.
• Support exploration and advancement of new data products, such as digital twins, scenario modeling platforms, and decision-support tools in line with emerging climate science.
• Convene the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC), which comprises academic and research partners appointed to develop novel climate science research. In partnership with the NPCC Co-Chairs, align the panel’s efforts with City policy and decision-making, strengthen engagement and participation in climate assessments, and clearly communicate climate science and risks to agency partners, advocates, researchers, and the public.
• Provide support to ensure the NPCC on workplans, deliverables, budget, consultant management, and ensure alignment of the NPCC’s scientific outputs with MOCEJ’s strategy and policy priorities.
• Manage the office’s data tools and products to identify and analyze geographic, racial, and socioeconomic disparities of climate risks and environmental justice impacts, including the Environmental Justice NYC report indicators and mapping tool and the Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
• Work with staff across the office to conduct new climate research projects that support MOCEJ’s policy goals, lead procurement for research in partnership with MOCEJ policy teams, and support key partners in developing proposals and cultivating new research projects; manage grant funding for climate research implementation.
• Implement systems for monitoring and tracking relevant scientific and technical assessments, findings, and related press and responses, including leading engagement with academic researchers and other key stakeholders, and report on such efforts regularly to senior leadership.
• Convene and manage diverse stakeholders to create a research agenda and develop data-driven policy for climate policy in NYC, including facilitating interagency working groups, engaging science and research institutions to create research agendas and develop data-driven policies, and engaging funders, including federal agencies, philanthropists, and foundations, to secure resources to carry out climate science initiatives.
• Supervise and manage research fellows and interns as needed.

Requirements

• Experience in data analytics, including analyzing and synthesizing complex data and subject matter to produce descriptive statistics, charts and graphs, infographics, and data-rich maps.
• Fluency in GIS, JavaScript, Tableu, statistical, and/or data visualization software is critical.
• A strong grasp of issues relating to climate change in a large urban setting.
• Familiarity with participatory research, citizen science, and co-production of knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple contracts and coordinating priority research.
• Ability to work with professionals from a variety of disciplines in the physical and social sciences, across a range of policy fields, and in different organizational settings.
• Experience leading and executing data and policy convenings, including agenda development, facilitation, follow-up, and evaluation.
• Experience setting clear objectives and timelines, balancing and adjusting to external factors and competing priorities, and inspiring individuals and teams to achieve outcomes and complete products.
• Ability to participate in collaborative processes playing both supporting and leading roles, as needed, and be able to both listen and contribute when needed.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and translate highly technical information to diverse audiences in writing and meeting settings, and comfort with public speaking.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
• At least two years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience conducting interviews and analyzing qualitative data is a plus.
• An understanding of climate issues facing New York City is a plus.

Benefits

• Market-competitive salary
• Equity for all full-time roles
• Exceptional benefits

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