WASHINGTON, D.C.— Assistant Secretary for the Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina has established a new Climate Change Coordinator position in the Department of the Interior to help leaders of the U.S. insular areas plan and prepare for the impacts of climate change in their respective jurisdictions. 

This position, which is now open for applications, has been established as part of a Department-wide effort to implement Executive Order 13563 and the President’s Climate Action Plan to prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change by building a more climate-resilient America and leading international efforts to address the threats of climate change.  The applicant will work closely with senior leadership at Interior and collaborate with other federal agencies to help the insular areas develop robust responses to the effects of climate change. 

“The people of the insular areas, both in the Pacific and the Caribbean, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change threats to their infrastructure and natural resources, including sea-level rise, coral bleaching, and salt water intrusion all of which impact quality of life and destabilize food and fresh water sources,” said Assistant Secretary Kia’aina. “We want to strategically collaborate and leverage the various federal initiatives and funding sources by working with the insular areas on strengthening or implementing their climate change adaptation plans.”

Interested applicants for the position of Climate Change Coordinator should have demonstrated experience in insular areas issues and climate change policies, preparedness, or adaptation plans.  They must also possess excellent written and coral communications skills and the requisite skills to evaluate climate change funding proposals and conduct public outreach efforts.  The application period is open today, Monday, January 26, through Monday, February 9, 2015.  Interested applicants may apply online through USAJOBS at links listed below. 

OS-KN-15-MM1290203(DEU): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/392132100 (all U.S. citizens)

OS-KN-15-MM1290204(MP): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/392125000  (federal employees and non-competitive eligibles)

The Department of the Interior is responsible for coordinating federal policy with respect to the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance provided to the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association. 

The Office of Insular Affairs mission is to foster economic opportunities, promote government efficiency, and improve the quality of life for the people of the insular areas.