Emily C. Barrett, 36, of Austin, Texas, will step into her new role on March 29. She will leave behind a career in the private sector, where she most recently worked as an environmental program specialist for Austin-based Culture Technologies.

Barrett said she is ready for the change. "Cary is recognized throughout the nation as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family," she said in a prepared statement. "I'm excited about ... continuing Cary's record as a leading environmental steward."

Barrett was chosen for the position from a pool of 76 applicants hailing from eight states, including Arizona, Florida and New Jersey. She will earn an annual salary of $65,000.

"Emily has a wide range of experience, both at the local government level and also working with state regulators," said Mike Bajorek, Cary's assistant town manager. "She understands the practical aspects of getting things done."

Bajorek said Barrett stood out among applicants for her desire and ability to build consensus among local leaders to pursue more eco-conscious projects.

"She knows that not everybody even agrees on what sustainability is," he said. "So there's a need to take things one step at a time, bringing everybody together before moving forward."

The Cary Town Council voted unanimously in November to fund the position using a portion of a $1.16 million federal grant from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources, a division U.S. Department of Energy.

The dollars can be used to implement strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions and energy use.

Cary plans to use the majority of its grant funds - $1 million - to create an emissions inventory for town property, conduct an energy audit of town facilities and purchase hybrid and electric vehicles.

Barrett will be responsible for overseeing and implementing those and other green initiatives.

As Cary's green guru, Barrett joins the ranks of a growing number of municipal managers charged with reducing their community's impact on the environment. Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill also have an employee dedicated to overseeing green projects.