Job Details

Sustainability Coordinator

Job ID: 293049

Location: Georgia College & State Univ

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

The Sustainability Coordinator will lead hands-on implementation of the university's sustainability initiatives while providing operational coordination across campus. This role combines strategic program coordination with direct, manual execution of sustainability projects, requiring both leadership capabilities and willingness to perform physical labor in service of environmental goals.

Responsibilities

Hands-On Program Implementation - 25%

• Physically install and maintain campus recycling, composting, and waste diversion infrastructure including bins, signage, and collection systems
• Conduct regular waste audits by manually sorting and weighing trash, recycling, and compost to track diversion rates
• Set up and break down equipment for sustainability events, farmers markets, and campus initiatives
• Maintain campus gardens, rain gardens, and green infrastructure through planting, weeding, mulching, and seasonal maintenance
• Install and maintain water bottle refill stations, bike racks, and other sustainability infrastructure
• Perform energy audits by conducting building walkthroughs and manually recording equipment data

Operations & Coordination - 25%

• Manage campus composting operations including collection, turning compost piles, and distribution
• Coordinate campus-wide recycling and waste reduction programs
• Drive university vehicles to transport materials, supplies, and equipment for sustainability projects
• Oversee student sustainability workers and volunteers in hands-on projects
• Track sustainability metrics through manual data collection and database entry
• Coordinate with facilities staff on energy conservation and green building projects

Education & Outreach - 25%

• Lead interactive workshops and presentations on sustainability topics
• Organize and staff tabling events, campus clean-ups, and awareness campaigns
• Develop educational signage and materials for campus sustainability programs
• Support student sustainability organizations through advising and project assistance
• Conduct building outreach to promote energy conservation and waste reduction

Program Management - 25%

• Develop work plans and timelines for sustainability initiatives
• Manage program budgets and track expenses
• Prepare reports on sustainability progress and metrics
• Research best practices and identify new opportunities for campus sustainability
• Represent the university at regional sustainability meetings and conferences

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Other Required Qualifications

Ability to perform physical labor including lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, kneeling, and working outdoors in various weather conditions

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of related experience
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management tools

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Self-motivated with strong work ethic
• Hands-on problem-solving abilities
• Collaborative team player
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple tasks
• Adaptable and flexible in dynamic campus environment
• Passionate about environmental sustainability

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Master's degree

Preferred Experience

• Experience in higher education or institutional settings
• Knowledge of composting, gardening, or green infrastructure maintenance
• Familiarity with waste management and recycling operations
• Experience supervising student workers or volunteers
• Certification in sustainability, LEED Green Associate, or related credential

Required Documents to Attach

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial transcripts
• Names and contact information (email and phone) of three references

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to collaborate and advocate strategies.
• Ability to lead teams, influence others, implement change and coach a wide variety of colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate, influence and command the respect and confidence of the President's Leadership Council, deans, and senior colleagues in the Office of Athletics, Campus Services, Facilities Planning and Operations, Auxiliary Operations, Finance, General Counsel, HR, OIT, University Relations, Housing, the Provost, and the University at large.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge/experience in environmental practices, policies, issues and initiatives.
• A quick learner who can understand and apply new knowledge.

SKILLS

• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds regularly
• Capacity to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, rain)
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb ladders for extended periods
• Comfortable operating hand tools, basic power tools, and grounds equipment
• Able to load and unload vehicles and push carts with materials

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• DMV Check
• Drug Screening