ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Climate Change Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Rare

Vice President, Controller

Arlington, VA

Rare's organizational culture is results-oriented and entrepreneurial, and our global programs prioritize climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsClimate Change JobsClimate Change Jobs in Virginia

Climate Change information

See Virginia salary details

$11

$55

$80

How much do climate change jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for climate change in Virginia is $55.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.61 and $70.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in climate change roles?

Professionals in climate change roles often navigate complex challenges such as rapidly evolving regulations, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, and balancing scientific data with policy and business considerations. They may work with diverse teams, including scientists, policymakers, and community stakeholders, requiring strong communication skills and adaptability. Additionally, keeping up with the latest research and technological advancements is essential for making informed recommendations and driving impactful projects.

What is the difference between Climate Change vs Environmental Scientist?

AspectClimate ChangeEnvironmental Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Climate Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, NGOs, consulting firmsFieldwork, laboratories, research institutions, government agencies
Industry UsageFocuses on climate-related issues, policies, and mitigation strategiesBroader environmental issues, including pollution, conservation, and ecosystem health

Climate Change specialists primarily focus on understanding and addressing climate-related challenges, while Environmental Scientists have a broader scope covering various environmental issues. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and work in overlapping environments, but their specific focus areas differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Climate Change Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Climate Change Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, a background in environmental science or related fields, and experience with climate data modeling. Familiarity with GIS software, climate modeling tools, and relevant certifications such as LEED or GHG accounting are commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability help you translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders. These skills are crucial for accurately assessing climate risks and guiding effective sustainability strategies.

What are climate change jobs?

Climate change jobs are roles that focus on understanding, mitigating, or adapting to the effects of climate change. These positions can be found in various sectors such as renewable energy, environmental policy, research, sustainability consulting, and non-profit organizations. People in these roles work on projects like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing clean technologies, and advising governments or businesses on sustainable practices. Climate change jobs are essential for creating strategies and solutions to protect the environment and build a more resilient future.
What are the most commonly searched types of Climate Change jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Climate Change jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Climate Change jobs in Virginia? For Climate Change jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Climate Change jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Climate Change jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Climate Change jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Climate Change job openings:
Climate Change jobs near you
Infographic showing various Climate Change job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,689 per year, or $55.6 per hour.

Sustainability and Resilience Manager

City of Alexandria VA Sanitation Authority

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$127K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Us

AlexRenew is one of the most advanced wastewater utilities in the United States, serving over 300,000 customers in Alexandria, VA, and parts of Fairfax County. Each year, our facility processes and treats approximately 13 billion gallons of wastewater received from area homes, schools, and businesses to protect public health and the environment. If you are interested in working for a leader in the wastewater industry, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Sustainability & Resilience Manager position.

What we do and how we do it is driven by our five Goals:

  • Operational Excellence: Taking proactive steps to meet current and future challenges.
  • Thriving Workforce: Investing in our staff and fostering a culture of belonging.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Promoting watershed-level thinking.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Being good stewards of our resources to minimize our impact.
  • Commitment to the Community: Strengthening connections with the public and providing affordable service.

Summary:

AlexRenew’s board-approved Strategic Plan identifies sustainability as one of five critical objectives. The Sustainability and Resilience (S&R) Manager is responsible for leading AlexRenew’s sustainability agenda and integrating sustainability and resiliency practices across the organization in accordance with the Strategic Plan. The role will work cross-functionally with all AlexRenew departments to identify, develop, and implement sustainability and resiliency best practices into projects, programs, and policies. Applicants should have a strong technical understanding of sustainability strategy, environmental management, climate change risk and resiliency, energy efficiency practices, water reuse, and decarbonization/net zero programs.

The S&R Manager will be a positive communicator who is able to lead tasks without direct supervision and motivate others to adopt and champion sustainability and resiliency efforts.


Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement an organization-wide sustainability plan.
  • Develop key sustainability metrics, create visual reports, and report on progress quarterly.
  • Support cross-organizational sustainability efforts and manage cross-functional teams working on sustainability-related projects.
  • Support AlexRenew projects through the development and incorporation of sustainability standards and specifications.
  • Develop organizational standards related to the attainment of sustainability ratings through LEED, Envision, and others, when applicable.
  • Manage environmental justice assessments, develop recommendations, and report on outcomes.
  • In partnership with Engineering, develop scopes, procure contractors, and manage projects to improve AlexRenew’s sustainability posture. Examples include: solar panel upgrades, EV charging installations, power monitoring improvements.
  • Manage AlexRenew’s climate resiliency study and incorporate outcomes into the organization’s programs and practices.
  • Lead periodic resiliency assessments and communicate recommendations for improving resilience of infrastructure and operations.
  • Serve as an organizational subject matter expert on sustainability and resilience initiatives – participate in associated advocacy organizations and conferences.
  • Support communications and public engagement around sustainability and climate resilience by representing AlexRenew at events and providing simple to understand content for the organization’s various communications channels.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Competencies, Individual Contributor:

  • Accountability
  • Quality of Work
  • Initiative
  • Safety Awareness
  • Teamwork

Education and/or Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university or college in natural science, environmental science, environmental policy, sustainability, climate studies, or closely related field desired, advanced degree preferred.
  • A minimum of five (5) years’ experience implementing sustainability and resilience programs in the public or private sector desired.
  • Knowledge of wastewater treatment, climate resilience, stormwater and/or pollution prevention; waste reduction, decarbonization approaches, energy efficiency, and current federal, state, and local laws, codes and ordinances regarding sustainability.
  • Experience working in cross-functional teams and across departments with an ability to build and maintain strong and positive relationships.
  • Able to communicate effectively, and to synthesize and communicate findings appropriately.
  • Experience with project and task management, including managing contracts, scopes, schedules, and budgets.
  • Working knowledge of geographic information systems.
  • Envision SP certification, or ability to attain certification within six (6) months of hire.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands describe here are representative of those that an employee may perform on an occasional to regular basis while performing functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these functions. A detailed Physical Demands Analysis is available in Human Resources and a copy will be provided to all incumbents in this position. While performing the duties of this job, typical of office work, and include lifting up to 10 pounds, and minimal pushing or pulling.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs work indoors in a climate-controlled environment, with outdoor trips between buildings.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.