Gov. Maura Healey has announced a new statewide office dedicated to coordinating government response and protecting public health from extreme heat.

Healey announced the appointment of Katie Schlick as the state’s first-ever statewide Heat Resilience Officer — becoming the second state in the U.S. to establish such a position. Schlick will be tasked with leading coordination across state government and working with communities “to prepare for rising temperatures, protect public health and reduce the impacts of extreme heat.”

The governor’s office tells the Herald Schlick will be paid an annual salary of $90,000 — to be completely funded by the Boston Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving the Greater Boston Area.

“Extreme heat is becoming more common, more intense and more dangerous in Massachusetts,” said Healey. “We need to be ready for what that means for our families and communities. This new role will lead our work to prepare for extreme heat and make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep Massachusetts and our residents safe.

“This summer was another reminder that climate change is making extreme heat more common across Massachusetts. We need to adapt just as quickly. The new Heat Resilience Officer will help us build on the important work already underway across the state,” added Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.

Healey’s office says Schlick will report to the state’s first-ever Climate Chief in Melissa Hoffer as well as Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, while working closely with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and all relevant state agencies.

Schlick has a history of advancing climate resilience operations at the state, federal and regional levels of government, according to Healey’s office, who says most recently Schlick worked on federal and external affairs and led the resilience portfolio at the U.S. Climate Alliance. Prior to this role, Schlick served in the Biden Administration as Special Assistant to the White House National Climate Advisor. Earlier in her career, she worked as an environmental planner in Connecticut. Schlick is a graduate of Yale University..

“Amidst another record-breaking year of heat and smoke, Massachusetts is taking bold, coordinated action to protect and uplift our communities. I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Boston Foundation for establishing our Commonwealth’s first Heat Resilience Officer position and kickstarting a government-wide, community-centered partnership to tackle extreme heat—everywhere from schools and summer camps to health centers, workplaces, and our electric grid,” Schlick said.

“I am thrilled to join the Massachusetts team to work alongside state and local leaders to broaden our understanding of the heat challenge and equip ourselves with diverse solutions that will leave the Commonwealth more prepared and more resilient,” she said.

The announcement was made Thursday at Clark University, which is home to the Human-Environment Regional Observatory (HERO) Program, which studies environmental changes and how local planning can reduce climate risks.

The Herald has asked the governor’s office how long the Boston Foundation will be funding Schlick’s salary and if her pay will eventually be funded through the state budget.