The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is a Cabinet-level state organization that coordinates and works collaboratively across state government and with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians. SGC programs include Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC), Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation (SALC), Transformative Climate Communities (TCC), Climate Change Research Program (CCR), Technical Assistance Program (TA), and Health in All Policies (HiAP). SGC is a fast-paced, creative work environment that requires staff to have strong collaboration skills, an ability to quickly respond to changing policy needs, and a positive attitude and sense of humor.
The AHSC program reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through projects that implement land-use, housing, transportation, and agricultural land preservations practices that support infill and compact development. SGC administers AHSC through a collaborative process that engages multiple state agencies and departments and a diverse group of stakeholders. In collaboration with and under the oversight of SGC, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is SGC’s implementation partner for the program. As a Climate Change Investment program, AHSC takes an integrated approach that considers environmental benefits, housing production, and investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program has evolved to recognize diverse community needs around the state and has developed a robust technical assistance program to assist under-resourced applicants in understanding and applying to AHSC. The program has established and demonstrated a model for integrated community investments that benefit people, provide economic opportunity, improve public health, and benefit the environment. Under the general direction of the AHSC Program Manager, the AHSC Program Associate works with state partners, program applicants, and other stakeholders on the development of program guidelines, outreach, and technical assistance.
- The AHSC Program Associate’s time will be dedicated to performing activities related to program development:
- Update the AHSC Program Guidelines, including solicitation and integration of feedback from state stakeholders and community partners
- Conduct and coordinate research to inform program development and implementation
- Work with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on developing the GHG quantitative methodologies for the program
- Develop application materials
- Support the application review process (narrative review and quantitative policy review)
- Research, develop and write staff reports and presentations to support program recommendations to the SGC members
- Support the program administratively to achieve all of its intended goals:
- Lead development of site visit logistics
- Coordinate with member agencies participating in the review process
- Plan for workshops, meetings and events
- Support the program on outreach activities:
- Coordinate with the Chief External Affairs Officer to develop AHSC case studies, as needed
- Develop materials/presentations/tools necessary for the program to communicate to a variety of audiences with varying levels of understanding of the program
- Maintain relationships with awardees in order to identify and remove barriers to program implementation
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to AHSC stakeholder groups, community-based organizations, local governments, and regional agencies
- Facilitate access to data for reporting purposes
- Through outreach and work with program applicants and awardees, partner with the CACE team on the development of the technical assistance approach to support AHSC, including:
- Support applicants in accessing technical assistance
- Develop scopes of work, solicitation materials, and contracts
- Maintain relationships with TA providers and establishing partnerships between TA providers and potential applicants
- Coordinate with TA providers to develop best practices and fact sheets
- Participate in staff meetings, attend training, provide work status reports, handle special projects, serve on inter-agency working groups, and perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum experience: Bachelor’s degree in planning, policy, or a closely related field, AND 2 years of relevant experience working for a nonprofit, government, consulting and/or philanthropic organization
Desirable Qualifications
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Strong outreach and engagement skills
- An ability to communicate to a range of partners and stakeholders including senior leadership, government officials, community members, and the general public
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Detail oriented and organized
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proficient in GIS and/or spatial analysis
- Proven commitment to serving California’s diverse communities
- An ability to create a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences
- Ability and flexibility to travel and effectively participate in site visits, public workshops, and meetings up to 30% of the time
- Occasionally will need to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Bilingual in English and one of California’s most spoken languages (Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean)
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Governor's Office of Planning and Research
Attn: Human Resources
1400 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Governor's Office of Planning and Research
HR
1400 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other - Cover Letter - Please submit a cover letter of no more than two (2) pages explaining why you want this position and why you are a good fit.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.