Postdoc Position Climate Extreme Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Opportunity 

Start Date: September 1st, 2026

Length of Fellowship: 10 months

Location Type: Hybrid (Tuesday & Thursday on-site)

Are you passionate about tackling climate challenges and driving sustainability solutions? As a Climate Fellow in the Climate Corps Fellowship program, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful climate resiliency initiatives with the City of Mountain View. This is a hybrid position with the expectation of onsite work on Tuesday and Thursday, including occasional evening or weekend work.

In this role, you will support the City of Mountain View's decarbonization and climate resiliency efforts, helping advance programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare the community for climate impacts such as extreme heat, storms, wildfire, and sea level rise. This position offers hands-on experience across policy, program implementation, data analysis, and communications within a local government setting, providing a strong foundation in real-world climate action work. Key work includes supporting building and transportation electrification initiatives, such as promoting electric appliances, expanding access to EV charging for multifamily residents, and assisting the City's transition to electric landscaping equipment, with opportunities to contribute ideas and help shape outreach approaches.

Additional responsibilities include contributing to the City's five-year decarbonization plan, supporting grant applications for municipal sustainability projects, assisting with climate data analysis and reporting, and helping advance outreach and engagement efforts, including Earth Day and Arbor Day events, as well as other special projects as needed. When possible, you will also have opportunities to take ownership of special projects from start to finish. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop your professional skills, grow your network, and contribute to the City of Mountain View's sustainability goals.

About Our Partner: City of Mountain View

The Sustainability and Resiliency Division of the City of Mountain View works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance climate action while helping the community prepare for the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, extreme heat, storms, wildfire impacts, and other climate risks. The division is part of the City Manager's Office, which provides leadership and coordination across City services and ensures implementation of City Council policies and priorities. The Sustainability and Resiliency Division is an exciting place to work because it combines hands-on climate action with citywide collaboration to build a more resilient and livable future for Mountain View, a city recognized for its leadership in local climate action.

What You'll Do

• Support building electrification initiatives, including the Year of the Electric Water Heater campaign and outreach efforts to promote adoption of electric appliances.
• Assist with the development and implementation of the Multifamily EV Charger Rebate program to expand access to EV charging for multifamily housing.
• Support implementation of the City's electric landscaping equipment policy by coordinating with City divisions and assisting with transition planning and tracking.
• Contribute to the City's Five-Year Decarbonization Plan by researching policies and programs, identifying opportunities to accelerate climate goals, and supporting strategy development.
• Assist with grant funding efforts for municipal decarbonization and infrastructure projects, including research, application support, and proposal development.
• Support climate data analysis and reporting, including Carbon Disclosure Project reporting and other greenhouse gas and climate performance tracking efforts.
• Lead or support special projects and community engagement initiatives, such as Earth Day and Arbor Day planning, pilot programs, and other emerging sustainability priorities.

What We Provide

• A fixed, monthly stipend of $5305.
• $2250 end-of-program financial award.
• Health care coverage with 100% of health care insurance premiums covered by SEI.
• 10 Personal Days (for a standard 10-month Fellowship), in addition to all holidays off that are observed as closure days by the partner placement site.
• Comprehensive career-readiness training, including interview prep, salary negotiation, and resume building.
• Panels, workshops, and networking with climate resilience industry professionals.
• Professional networking and learning opportunities.
• The University of California Climate Stewards Certification equips you to lead community and ecosystem resilience initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Familiarity with climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability concepts, with interest in decarbonization, electrification, or climate resilience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to create simple outreach or communications materials using tools such as Canva or similar platforms.
• Basic experience with data analysis, research, or reporting (e.g., Excel, data tracking, or compiling information for reports).
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and manage multiple tasks with guidance.
• Valid driver's license and reliable access to a vehicle.
• The ability to work onsite on a hybrid basis (Tuesday & Thursday). Only candidates currently residing within commuting distance of the site address will be considered.
• Commitment to a fair workplace that honors the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (SEI is unable to sponsor visas).
• May require occasional moving about to accomplish tasks, moving from one worksite to another, or adjusting or moving objects under 25-50 pounds in all directions.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply.

Nice-to-haves

• Coursework or academic background in environmental studies, sustainability, public policy, urban planning, engineering, or related fields.
• Familiarity with local government or public agency work.
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across teams, departments, and community partners.

We encourage everyone interested in this position to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification. We value all perspectives and believe that a unique background can bring significant strengths to this role, even if some qualifications are not fully met.

Climate Corps Fellowships are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as temporary, educational internships that emphasize training and career development, and thus no employment relationship exists, nor is compensation required. However, while not considered traditional employment, Fellows receive a living stipend and professional development support throughout the program.

Recruiting Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions, as we may stop accepting new applications once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is identified.