Manager of Climate Change Resiliency

Overview

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Manager of Climate Change Resiliency will be responsible for the technical input on the potential risks of climate change and disasters to the MBTA’s capital program as well as its operational systems.  The selected candidate will manage the identification and risks associated with impacts of severe storms and changing climactic conditions on the MBTA’s infrastructure and operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage, direct, evaluate the MBTA climate change resiliency program and develop programs, methods, and procedures that contribute to MBTA’s climate change resiliency goals and objectives.
• Lead the collection and analysis of existing climate change data as well as climate change and disaster risk assessments and reports for the greater Boston area as well as those relating to transit systems nationally and prepare a summary of existing information and potential gaps.
• Define the scope of further climate change assessment based on the screening results and information gaps based on relevant guidelines for climate change adaptation.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of assets that could potentially be threatened or at risk due to extreme storms and/or changes in climatic conditions, and provide strategic recommendations based on the findings.
• Manage and oversee a methodological framework and a detailed work plan for conducting a climate and disaster risk assessment and management study for the MBTA.
• Lead the assessment of climate and disaster risks associated with the MBTA including the development of climate scenarios and an assessment of potential risks of sensitive infrastructure and operations.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment in the project area to identify vulnerability of the planned infrastructure as well as the project’s potential effects on the vulnerability of the area and people.
• Review existing MBTA design standards and standard operating procedures to ensure that MBTA can withstand additional impacts due to extreme storms and changing climactic conditions, and provide strategic recommendations based on the findings.
• Collaborate with various MBTA Departments (e.g., Environmental, Capital Programs, Engineering and Maintenance, Operations, Budget, Office of the Chief Engineer, etc.) as well as MassDOT (e.g., Office of Transportation Planning,GeoDOT Office, MassDOT Highway Division, etc) to identify possible (structural and non-structural) interventions as adaption options to address impacts, risks and vulnerability.
• Work and engage with exterior stakeholders to identify collective adaptation measures and plans where applicable as well as represent the MBTA in regional climate change adaptation discussions.  Provide regular progress updates to senior management.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in civil engineering, natural resource/environmental planning, and/or policy, geology, environmental science or environmental studies, or related field with a demonstration of technical training/experience in GIS mapping, stormwater, hydrology, emergency planning.
• Five (5) years professional experience working in the fields of climate change scenario analysis, climate change and disaster impact, vulnerability and adaptation.
• One (1) year of managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the application of climate data to the assessment of infrastructure and operational vulnerabilities.
• Experience working with large scale infrastructure design plans and specifications.
• Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and other relevant mapping systems
• Ability to work seamlessly with other departments within the MBTA as well as external groups such as state agencies, vendors, and other organizations as appropriate.
• Strong analytical writing skills are essential; oral presentation skills are a significant plus.
• Demonstrated strong research skills are required.
• Candidate must be self-motivated with an ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines.
• Strong computer skills including the following: Adobe, Outlook, MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An Associate’s degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A Master’s degree in civil engineering, natural resource/environmental planning, and/or policy, geology, environmental science or environmental studies or other related area may be substituted for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with disaster risk management planning.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.