Climate Communications Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Arlington County Climate Policy Office seeks a passionate and skilled Climate Communications Specialist to join our dynamic team located within the County Manager’s Office . The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and disseminating climate action and sustainability messages to a diverse audience, including policymakers, County staff, media, residents, businesses, and visitors. This is a role for a strategic thinker who writes with clarity and purpose, can spark meaningful community engagement, brings solid media relations experience, and understands the science and policy that drive real climate solutions.

Arlington County is committed to combating its contribution to climate change and to improve community resilience through bold ideas, thoughtful policy, and community partnership. The Climate Policy Office supports this work, collaborating with County departments to advance policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainability, and build a resilient, carbon-neutral future for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Arlington.

Specific duties include:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies to educate numerous audiences about our climate policies, initiatives, and campaigns;
• Creating compelling communications, marketing, and engagement content for various platforms, including press releases, articles, social media, newsletters, and reports;
• Managing media relations, including responding to inquiries, arranging interviews, and maintaining relationships with key journalists and media outlets;
• Collaborating with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals;
• Enhancing climate literacy throughout County government through targeted internal communications;
• Coordinating logistics and messaging for the interdepartmental Climate Leadership Network, ensuring consistency and alignment with the County’s future Climate Action Plan.
• Monitoring and analyzing media coverage and public discourse related to climate change and providing insights and recommendations for strategic adjustments;
• Designing, promoting, and hosting diverse public engagement opportunities to engage and educate stakeholders and the public;
• Engaging with all sectors, including private sector companies, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations to promote sustainable practices and encouraging active program participation; and
• Collaborating with the County Board Office, CAPE, and County Communications Team to:
• Coordinate public messaging
• Faciliate public engagement
• Resolve inter- and intra-departmental challenges

Address community concerns related to Arlington's climate and sustainability goals.

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• Understanding of climate science, policy, and the current environmental landscape;
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills;
• Strong proficiency in dashboarding and web tools, e.g., Canva, Tableau, Open Cities, including how to create, maintain, and update web pages using Open Cities;
• Proven experience in media relations, digital communications, public engagement, and content development;
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences;
• Passion for environmental advocacy and sustainability; and
• Experience in sustainability, climate action, or related fields preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Environmental Studies, Public Relations, or a related field; and

Considerable experience in communications and/or programs that support environmental equity with a local government or non-profit sector.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience can be substituted for the educational requirement. A Master's degree or higher may be substituted for some of the experience requirement.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in community engagement on environmental matters, which includes the following:
• Creating graphics, infographics, and other materials;
• Providing high-level outreach and communications with upper management, elected officials, and/or appointed commissions / committees; and
• Developing communications and materials in the climate, energy or sustainability sectors, for a government, or non-profit organization;
• Specialization in communications, website or online platforms, ability to write and/or edit press releases, news articles, and executive talking points; and/or

Knowledge of Gov Delivery or other customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

Special Requirements

A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Additional Information

Work hours: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. May be required to work outside of normal hours and during emergencies regardless of whether some or all County facilities are closed.

The official title for this position is Communications Specialist II (NB).

Arlington County offers a competitive salary and a great benefits package including a Defined Benefit (pension) plan. For more information on Arlington’s family friendly benefits click here .

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will be rejected.