Location: San Rafael, California
Work Type: Full Time, Regular, On-site with one remote day per week
Salary: $130,936 - $158,225.60 annually
Experience Level: Mid-level
Application Deadline: September 21, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific
About the County
The County of Marin’s Office of the County Executive provides leadership across 22 departments and supports the implementation of countywide priorities, including climate, housing, equity, emergency preparedness and homelessness.
Its newly established Climate and Sustainability Office is leading broader efforts to strengthen Marin County’s climate resilience.
The Opportunity
The County of Marin is seeking a Climate Adaptation and Finance Strategist to help develop and advance funding and financing strategies for sea-level rise adaptation.
With more than 70 miles of coastline and 40 miles of bay shoreline, Marin County faces significant risks from rising sea levels and flooding. Adaptation costs are estimated at approximately $17 billion, making innovative financing and strategic resource mobilization critical.
Reporting to the Chief Climate Officer, the successful candidate will work across county departments, cities, towns and special districts to identify priority adaptation projects and connect them with appropriate funding and financing opportunities.
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain a countywide pipeline of climate adaptation projects.
- Support grant applications for state and federal funding opportunities.
- Develop funding and financing strategies using tools such as municipal bonds, assessment districts and blended financing.
- Coordinate regional shoreline and sea-level rise adaptation planning.
- Help develop governance structures for cross-jurisdictional climate adaptation.
- Prepare Board of Supervisors reports, policy memos and public-facing materials.
- Support annual climate adaptation workplans, staffing strategies and capacity plans.
- Work with departments and local jurisdictions to prioritize projects based on readiness, need and available resources.
Requirements
Candidates should have:
- At least four years of professional experience in public-sector planning, infrastructure, public finance, capital planning, grants, funding strategy, climate adaptation, economic development or a related field.
- Experience developing or implementing funding strategies for complex projects or programs.
- Strong project management and analytical skills.
- Experience pursuing grants, partnerships, budget commitments or other resources.
- Strong writing, presentation, collaboration and public engagement abilities.
- The ability to work across departments, jurisdictions and institutions.
- Knowledge of public-sector funding and financing mechanisms.
- Understanding of environmental, coastal or sustainable development planning.
- Familiarity with grant processes and state and federal climate or infrastructure funding.
A bachelor's degree in business or public administration, public policy or a related field is typically expected, alongside relevant professional experience.
Benefits
The County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Paid vacation, sick leave and 12 holidays annually.
- Medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Flexible Spending and Dependent Care programs.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Defined-benefit retirement plan.
- 457 deferred compensation plan.
- Access to retiree medical coverage for eligible employees.
Why This Role Matters
This is more than a conventional climate planning position. The successful candidate will sit at the intersection of climate adaptation, public finance, infrastructure planning and government strategy, helping turn sea-level rise plans into funded projects.
For professionals working in climate finance, environmental planning, sustainable infrastructure or public-sector climate resilience, it is a particularly interesting opportunity.
Apply
Applications are open until September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Apply for the Climate Adaptation and Finance Strategist position