Senior Climate Policy Advisor

This person will work for the Department of Health & Human Services and is detailed to the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG) within the Governor’s policy division as a senior advisor on climate-related issues. This individual will collaborate with other EOG Policy staff around issues of local government resiliency, increasing the state’s housing stock, growing the state’s economy, and making Michigan a more equitable place to call home.

This individual also will work with senior leaders across state departments, including DHHS, to support the EOG in building a legacy that will exist beyond the Governor’s final three years in office. Focus Areas: The Climate Policy Advisor’s portfolio of work will focus on four areas: (1) Economic development and clean energy jobs; (2) Infrastructure; (3) Housing; and Local resiliency; (4) Environmental Justice.

Economic development and clean energy jobs: As the world increasingly adopts renewable energy and electrified transportation, it is vital that the state has a policy expert focused on an equitable climate action as we transition to clean energy. The Policy Advisor will work on issues that surround transition, such as expanding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), ensuring necessary infrastructure is in place to support existing and future EV needs, and attracting additional EV-related industries to the state.

Infrastructure: Michigan’s heritage is as the automotive state, yet the state has failed to maintain its transportation infrastructure for decades. To move us into the future, permanent funding solutions will be needed for all things infrastructure - roads, water, and transit. Michigan’s current transportation revenue is largely based on the fuel excise tax, a declining source of revenue in a green future. In parallel with funding considerations, the Policy Advisor will work closely with the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) to review, analyze, and provide solutions to equitably rebuild existing infrastructure, diversify transportation options, such as through transit and passenger rail and provide equitable access to jobs and other benefits of Michigan’s carbon neutral future.

Housing: Michigan’s housing stock is aging and energy inefficient. Michigan should be a place where everyone, no matter their zip code or what is in their wallet, should have the opportunity to thrive. The Policy Advisor will focus on identifying ways to support home repair and modernization programs. This may include benchmarking best practices from other settings, finding alignment within existing, federal programs, and proposing new funding opportunities. Long-term, these programs can improve Michigan’s housing stock, reduce utility bills, allow Michiganders to age in place and help lift Michiganders out of poverty.

Local resiliency: Michigan has over 2,800 units of local government. Each entity uniquely administers some public services, but tax limitations and statewide macroeconomic trends are straining finances and service provision. This is especially truein small, rural and historically disadvantaged communities. As the state looks to grow its population, it is important that our local governments can attract, serve, and protectresidents. The Climate Policy Advisor will work closely with the EOG Local Government Policy Advisor to explore a variety of strategies to help sustain vibrant communities.

These may include assisting locals to develop climate resiliency plans; enter into shared services agreements, reducing local costs and increasing service reliability; and train or incorporate new staff that can help adopt best practices for development and environmental protection.

Environmental Justice: Michigan’s Healthy Climate plan commits to ensure that at least 40% of state funding for climate-related and water infrastructure initiatives benefit Michigan’s disadvantaged communities. Environmental justice communities are most often communities of color and/or low-income. However, Michigan should be a place where nobody is left behind in our energy transition. Carbon neutrality is an opportunity to improve air quality, making it easier to breathe and reducing costly or devastating health outcomes.

The Climate Policy Advisor will work closely with the EOG Health and Equity Advisor to prioritize and advance equity and environmental justice which will lead to better health outcomes in Michigan. This may include working with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and stakeholders to analyze climate related health impacts and explore new equitable environmental solutions.

Interested Applicants: Please send a cover letter and resume to Emma Young at YoungE14@michigan.gov