The University of British Columbia

Climate Action Planner

This position requires some in-person work based at the UBC Vancouver campus and currently has the option for a hybrid work arrangement (within British Columbia) in consultation with the manager.

Background:
Within Campus and Community Planning (C&CP), Sustainability and Engineering (S&E) leads and coordinates many of the University s sustainability plans and initiatives and provides a central hub to engage with the campus community to facilitate operational sustainability learning and practice. C&CP s activities support UBC s Strategic Plan and goals of developing UBC as a living laboratory for environmental and social sustainability and embedding sustainability as a central component of its operations. The S&E unit works closely with units across campus to develop and implement sustainability initiatives that focus on moving beyond harm reduction toward a net positive regenerative campus and community. S&E is responsible for leading and facilitating climate action planning as well as periodic updating of the UBC Climate Action Plan (CAP), which identifies actions to reduce UBC s greenhouse gas emissions by 100%, including actions related to demand-side management, energy supply, as well as consideration for scope 3 emissions and climate resiliency/adaptation planning.

As a Public Sector Organization (PSO), UBC is required to report all scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions to the Province via the Carbon Neutral Action Reporting process for each calendar year, with the intention of offsetting emissions to maintain carbon neutral status. S&E plays a central role in this reporting.

Responsibilities:
This position plays the lead role in managing the development of the CAP, and in overseeing CAP implementation including managing CAP projects within S&E, and working with stakeholders and units across the University to facilitate and track processes and projects for successful GHG reduction. The Planner plays a key role in the Operational Sustainability Strategy process, working with administrative and operational units across the University to integrate and prioritize climate action and other sustainability goals, actions, and reporting metrics within their own operational plans and activities. The process also helps to ensure that the University s energy, GHG reduction, and cost targets are being met.

Also provides advisory support to UBC Okanagan Campus for UBCO Climate Action Planning.

The position holds primary responsibility for annual CNAR reporting in collaboration with Energy & Water Services, and for managing operational sustainability metrics reporting. The CNAR process is annual and is a substantial part of the position responsibilities, occurring primarily between January and May.

Organizational Status

The position will report to the Senior Planning & Sustainability Engineer within Sustainability and Engineering which is a unit within Campus and Community Planning.

Work Performed

1) Climate Action Plan Updates and Implementation
a) Climate Action Plan Strategy and Development: the position is responsible for the strategic planning and development of Climate Action Plan updates
-Develop and update CAP update project scope, schedule and budget
-Liaise with core partner units such as Energy and Water Services, and other collaborating units
-Coordinate CAP project team meetings and stakeholder consultation, with support from other S&E/C&CP staff
-Engage and manage consultants as needed
-Oversee and review technical and financial studies from other units, student research projects and/or consultants
-Working with CAP team members and collaborators, co-develop and document CAP plan actions
- Develop the overall CAP strategy and act as primary author
-Provide CAP project status reports via written reports and presentations.
b) Facilitate and manage implementation of CAP actions and initiatives
-Manage or coordinate CAP-related projects that are led by S&E, including SEEDS sustainability research projects, climate and energy focused sustainability engagement projects or campaigns, and carbon pricing/offsetting initiatives.
-Work with units across UBC including UBC Properties Trust, Building Operations, Project Services and Student Housing to facilitate the development and implementation of strategies and actions focused on climate and energy objectives.
-Play a key role in the Operational Sustainability Strategy process which includes building and maintaining a network of relationships with operational units and leading periodic meetings to confirm actions, timelines and reporting metrics; facilitating and negotiating change-management initiatives to ensure key objectives are being achieved
-If needed, supervise an additional staff role to support the development, implementation and tracking of climate, energy and operational sustainability actions.
c) Maintain CAP web site content and contribute to other communications collateral.
d) Manage UBC s Sustainability Revolving Fund, working with stakeholders across campus to develop and manage fund opportunities
e) Act as subject matter expert on GHG emissions to support policy development through participation in a number or committees and working groups, both internal and external to the institution
f) Collaborate with internal faculty and student groups, and external networks and partners such as the University Climate Coalition (UC3), ISCN, AASHE, etc.

2) CAP and Climate Neutral Action Reporting
a) With support from the Sustainability Monitoring and Reporting Lead, manage UBC s operational sustainability reporting metrics, feeding into the Annual Sustainability Report and supporting the tracking of progress against UN Sustainable Development Goals.
b) Assist in the development and management of a tracking system for CAP and operational sustainability metrics. This includes developing an efficient method and approach for data collection, data management, quality control and assurance; and supporting development of a reporting dashboard.
c) Work with S&E colleagues, Energy & Water Services and other stakeholders to identify operational cost savings and GHG reductions attributable to sustainability engagement and behavior change programs.
d) Lead and manage the annual Carbon Neutral Action Reporting (CNAR) process.
-Utilizing and building on the previous years process and any changes needed, liaise with key stakeholders across the University to collect energy consumption and GHG emissions data including data for buildings, fleet vehicles, and other areas.
-Input all data collected through the online reporting tool/program, perform quality checks with Energy and Water Services, write up the report and submit all data and report information to the Province on schedule.
-Review and update the data collection methods, tools, and emissions calculation methods including scope 3 as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Decisions made by this position could impact financial performance of units within UBC. Consequences also could undermine the University s ability to achieve its GHG reduction targets.

Supervision Received
The Climate Action Planner will report to the Senior Planning & Sustainability Engineer and will work in close alignment with other units across the University including Energy and Water Services to coordinate the activities associated with the development and implementation of the Climate Action Plan

Supervision Given
The Climate Action Planner supervises a small team and student employees. The position may also be required to oversee and manage consultants on specific projects.

Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Degree in Planning, Applied Science/Engineering, or Environmental Science and/or Resource Management or related degree that includes a component related to energy conservation/management. Advanced degree preferred. A professional qualification such as PEng, MCIP, CEM or PMP is an asset. Minimum of six years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in planning, engineering or a related field. Experience related to energy management and GHG accounting/mitigation. Experience with basic financial performance calculations/business case development. Experience in designing and leading stakeholder engagement related to Climate Action Plan implementation and program design. Experience related to GHG emissions mitigation, and behaviour change programs, in particular reducing building energy consumption through behaviour change. Experience implementing corporate, municipal or institutional plans (preferably related to energy, GHG or sustainability). Experience developing energy-related feasibility studies and business cases related to energy conservation. Experience in sustainability-related engagement and facilitation. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Familiarity with energy conservation calculations and GHG accounting methods. Knowledge of developing business cases for climate actions and measures is an asset. Proficiency in project management and tracking software such as MS Project or energy management software or dashboards is an asset. Engagement and outreach skills; joint problem solving. Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and facilitate group meetings and workshops.

For more information and to apply, please visit UBC Staff Careers site.