Introduction
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE
Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Department of Administration Director.
The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce committed to providing exemplary service to its residents. If you have a passion for being part of an inclusive team of public servants, we invite you to consider the following opportunity.
Purpose
The Environmental Sustainability Program Coordinator-Water Centric City will work with the Environmental Sustainability Director to oversee Milwaukee’s sustainability work with the City’s Water Centric City (WCC) initiative.
The WCC Initiative showcases Milwaukee’s leadership in managing our natural water resource assets in a sustainable and resilient way. This is part of the Environmental Collaboration Office’s (ECO) broader vision to make Milwaukee a world-class eco-city on America's Fresh Coast. To learn more about the WCC initiative, please visit this link.
Essential Functions
Program Coordination
- Coordinate the City’s Water Centric City initiative, including implementation of the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan, fishable/swimmable water, sustainable healthy water supply, etc.
- Support and strengthen ECO’s efforts to reduce plastic waste in our lakes and rivers.
- Provide staff support to the mayor in his board role on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
- Coordinate an interdepartmental green infrastructure team and track green infrastructure progress using the Map Milwaukee Geographic Information System (GIS) system.
Outreach, Education, and Marketing
- Update ECO websites and social media sites
- Support marketing of ECO events
- Develop brochures, forms and other marketing materials as needed across all ECO programs.
Administrative and Fiscal
- Assist in drafting grant proposals and administering awarded grants related to clean water, including drafting project performance reports and managing associated grant budgets.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
Conditions of Employment
- Occasional support of public events outside regular working hours.
- Hybrid work schedule available, with three days per week required to be worked in a City Hall Office.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, water policy, public affairs, communications, business administration, public relations or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Two years of professional experience in program coordination, public affairs, water policy, or environmental sustainability.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master’s degree in water policy, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
- Knowledge of green infrastructure design and practice.
- Knowledge and experience with GIS mapping systems.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics
Technical
- Knowledge of water quality issues, including threats and solutions to water quality challenges.
- Ability to learn green infrastructure design and practice.
- Ability to manage the scope, timeline, and budget for a project.
- Ability to use spreadsheet, database, project management and word processing software to develop reports, business correspondence and summary data.
- Ability to gather and interpret data and respond to data requests.
- Ability to create visual aids based upon statistics for presentations and marketing materials.
- Ability to manage the scope, timeline, and budget of an assigned project.
Communication and Interpersonal
- Written communication skills to create reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.
- Verbal communication and presentation skills to represent the program effectively.
- Ability to identify, build, and maintain effective relationships with the public, elected officials, community groups, coworkers, and management.
- Ability to provide services in a culturally sensitive manner.
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with coworkers and clients whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
- Public relations skills; ability to positively engage with the public and answer questions from residents, the media, and stakeholders.
Critical Thinking, Responsibility, and Professionalism
- Ability to learn and apply City processes, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to plan, organize and accomplish work, manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Skill in analyzing and solving problems.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to perform well under pressure.
- Ability to approach projects with energy, creativity, and resourcefulness.
- Ability to demonstrate professionalism, poise, and courtesy.
- Ability to work within the City’s fiscal and political constraints.
- Ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.
Current Salary
The current salary range (Pay Range 2JX) is $80,774-$92,612 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee Residents is $83,197-$95,390 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.
BENEFITS
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:
- Wisconsin Retirement Systems (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Comprehensive Wellness Program
- Onsite Clinic Services
- Onsite Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Group Life Insurance
- Tuition Benefits
- Paid Vacation
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
- Flexible Spending Arrangement
- Commuter Value Pass
For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.
Selection Process
- Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter, resume and transcripts (if applicable).
- Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to the Director of Environmental Sustainability, Erick Shambarger, at eshamb@milwaukee.gov by 11:59pm CT on August 8, 2025.
- Please indicate “Water Centric City Coordinator” in the subject line of the email.
- Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to eshamb@milwaukee.gov
- The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.
INITIAL FILING DATE:
- The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after August 8th, 2025.
- Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.
Conclusion
The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
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