A former Minnesota legislator has been hired as Minneapolis' chief resilience officer, a new position that coordinates the city's work on urban challenges from housing affordability to climate change.

Kate Knuth will join a network that includes dozens of chief resilience officers around the world, in cities that have joined the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities project.

Knuth, 36, previously served three terms in the state House as a DFLer representing New Brighton before leading the Institute on the Environment's Boreas Leadership Program at the University of Minnesota. The City Council approved her hiring on Friday.

The 100 Resilient Cities project provides resources and guidance to participating cities, including money to cover the chief resilience officer's salary. Knuth's annual salary is $114,999, according to the city.

Though there are guidelines that all resilient cities follow, each chief resilience officer's work differs depending on what their city needs. Knuth will spend the next year figuring out what residents want before deciding what to work on.

Knuth said she's looking forward to learning from other officers as well as shining a spotlight on her own city.

"I think it's exciting for Minneapolis to be looked at as a place where this kind of innovative work is happening," she said. "So we'll be getting the benefit of the tools and perspectives, but I think also Minneapolis has things to share with other cities around the world."

Emma Nelson • 612-673-4509