Climate Data Specialist

Company: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Location: Boston
Posted on: November 6, 2024

Job Description:

Job Description - Climate Data Specialist (240009HO)About the Operational Services Division (OSD)The Operational Services Division (OSD) is an oversight agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. OSD's primary focus is to help our government buyers and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing outstanding customer service, competent advice and guidance, and high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of those we serve.Join our Dynamic TeamOSD's diverse team of 150+ professionals is transforming the way government operates. Our hybrid work environment fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in strategic sourcing, print and mail, surplus property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact.The Climate Unit is a four-person team led by the Director of the Climate and Sustainability Unit, reporting to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operational Services. The unit supports a broad range of OSD Climate initiatives focused on sustainable purchasing, emphasizing the role of vendors in providing Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) and implementing sustainable practices within their facilities.The Operational Services Division's (OSD) Climate and Sustainability team is seeking a Climate Data Specialist to evaluate vendor and buyer emissions, and to develop models that calculate and compare carbon footprints of public procurement stakeholders. A key responsibility will be ranking vendors based on emissions reporting and sustainability practices, contributing to the development of a vendor scorecard. This role involves data collection and analysis to assess vendor emissions. The Climate Data Specialist will work within the Climate & Sustainability Unit to gather sustainability data, build carbon-related reporting tools, and provide data-driven insights.Job FunctionsData Collection & Analysis:

• Collect and analyze emissions data across various sectors in Massachusetts, monitoring trends in emission reductions or increases.
• Assess and evaluate the carbon footprint in procurement activities where applicable.
• Collect and analyze data on vendor sustainability practices, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, renewable energy use, energy efficiency, fleet electrification, and waste/water conservation through vendor-reported questionnaires.
• Maintain and update information Tables and references for a centralized SQL database, CAPPS (Climate Analysis and Public Procurement Scorecard), to store and process carbon footprint data and track sustainability metrics quantitatively.Carbon Cost Assessment & Integration:
  • Develop models to assess the cost of carbon for statewide contracts and individual vendor activities.
  • Integrate carbon cost calculations into procurement processes to measure and compare environmental impacts.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions in procurement and provide recommendations to vendors and procurement teams.Data Management and Tools:
    • Oversee data collection and analysis for carbon footprint assessment tools and software tailored to procurement activities.
    • Maintain and regularly update databases tracking the carbon impact of vendors and contracts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
    • Develop and manage a vendor sustainability performance scorecard, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to rank vendors based on their carbon footprint and sustainability practices.
    • Collaborate with the Climate and Sustainability Unit to ensure vendor data aligns with state procurement policies and climate goals.Collaboration with Stakeholders:
      • Engage with sourcing team to gather vendor sustainability and emission data.
      • Provide guidance on carbon reporting and validate Vendors' carbon footprint.
      • Work with internal teams (e.g., sourcing, compliance, performance analytics) to evaluate carbon cost assessments by procurement activity.Reporting & Insights:
        • Generate detailed reports and provide data to performance analytics teams to display carbon impacts via dashboards that track state procurement activities.
        • Support the Climate and Sustainability Unit in presenting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data and sustainability insights to state agencies and municipalities.
        • Conduct cost-benefit analyses of climate procurement projects, integrating the social cost of carbon into environmental benefit assessments.
        • Incorporate GHG emission analysis and sustainability practices evaluation into the Climate and Sustainability qualitative bidder "Climate and Environmental Practices" form, as well as the quantitative Post-Award Climate Vendor questionnaire used in the state's Request for Response (RFR) processes.Qualifications
          • Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
          • A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in data analysis, sustainability, procurement, or environmental policy.
          • Experience in carbon accounting, environmental data analysis, or related fields is advantageous.
          • Proficiency in data management and analysis; knowledge of SQL is a plus.
          • Advanced skills in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and Microsoft Excel.
          • Familiarity with carbon cost models, carbon footprint calculations, and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies.
          • Experience with procurement systems and sustainability assessments is desirable.
          • Strong understanding of climate change, carbon emissions, and sustainability best practices.
          • Familiarity with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, carbon accounting standards (e.g., GHG Protocol), and sustainable procurement policies.
          • Knowledge of environmentally preferred products (EPP) and sustainable practices in public procurement.
          • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
          • Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.The Operational Services Division values staff diversity and contributions to an inclusive working and learning environment.Minimum Entrance Requirements:Applicants must have (A) at least two years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience performing related duties that include business data recovery, analysis, query design, reporting and statistical analysis; or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.Substitutions:I. A Bachelor's degree or higher with a major in Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Information Management, Statistics or a related field may be substituted for the required experience.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
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Keywords: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Arlington , Climate Data Specialist, Other , Boston, Massachusetts