Salary : $63,034.00 - $121,532.00 Annually
Location : 9200 Berger Road, Columbia, MD 21046, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00590
Department: County Administration
Division: County Admin - Community Sustainability
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Climate Action Analyst position supports the County's Climate Action Plan implementation efforts, processes and tracks utility and energy billing in support of energy use and cost reduction efforts, applies for and manages grant funding for a variety of climate action activities, manages Climate Action projects and provides outreach support on climate action to the community. This position serves under the direct supervision of the County's Energy Manager and will work closely with the County's Energy Manager, the Administrator of the Office of Community Sustainability, and the Climate Action Subcabinet to refine, implement, and track progress of the County's Climate Action Plan. This position also will lead or support a variety of climate action activities and will assist with tracking greenhouse gas emissions and reporting related to the County's Climate Action Plan.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$30.31 - $34.20$63,034 - $71,144

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes carrying out administrative and technical tasks related to administrative support, public information, and purchasing.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Climate Action and Policy Development:

• Lead efforts to update and refine the Climate Action Plan as needed.
• Assist with development of new policy on climate action, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, carbon sequestration, and/or resiliency.
• Conduct research to support climate action implementation as needed.
• Prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice in County programs, projects, activities, and policies.

Program Coordination and Implementation:

• Coordinate and provide administrative support to the Climate Action Subcabinet and its workgroups.
• Track progress of Climate Action and Resiliency Plan implementation steps and develop reports for the Subcabinet and the public.
• Coordinate or assist with coordination on a variety of climate action implementation projects such as renewable energy systems, EV charging stations, tree canopy expansion, and other mitigation/resiliency projects.
• Assist the Energy Manager and other County staff in obtaining and managing grant funds for climate action projects.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Coordinate and implement community workshops on energy savings, renewable energy, electric vehicles, climate preparedness, sustainable transportation, waste reduction, and nature-based climate solutions.
• Develop outreach materials such as videos, pamphlets, fact sheets, web content, and newsletter articles.
• Participate in sustainability outreach and education events as needed.

Utility and Energy Data Management:

• Manage the County's utility bill payment process, including: uploading bills to EnergyCAP, reviewing for accuracy, reconciling bills, preparing exports to accounting systems, notifying departments, sending billing backup, and flagging bills for departmental review.
• Draft and maintain current process documentation for utility bill management.
• Work with County staff and utility providers to review billing details and resolve errors or discrepancies.
• Manage utility and energy data entry into EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager and other tools to support analysis, reporting, and benchmarking.
• Manage Building Energy Performance Standards reporting to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
• Develop and expand expertise in EnergyCAP, EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager, and County utility billing/energy management processes; train staff in EnergyCAP as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental studies, climate science, or related field and two years of experience in climate-related project management and outreach.
• Knowledgeable about climate, energy, environmental, and sustainability principles, practices, and programs.
• Experience with developing and/or implementing a climate action plan.
• Knowledgeable about utility and energy company billing processes, procedures, regulations, accounting and budgeting. Familiarity with general accounting principles.
• Experience with EnergyCAP utility database or other utility management software and SAP or other accounting software.
• Experience with Energy Star Portfolio manager preferred.
• Demonstrated success with grant applications, management, and reporting.
• Experience working in a large organization and with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex, technical concepts to non-technical persons.
• Detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, able to work independently.
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM); Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED Green Associate or LEED AP); Climate-Change Professional (CC-P) or similar certifications preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand or walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. Ability to effectively present information to management, customers, clients, and general public.

Ability to work with simple mathematical concepts Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid driver's license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.

PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar ye