"Sustainability Coordinator"

Job Description

This position is responsible for the education, communication, planning, and management of sustainability issues on campus and serves in a collaborative process involving students, faculty, staff, and administrators towards making MSUM a more environmentally sustainable campus community, in support of the Sustainable Action Commitment signed by President Anne Blackhurst and Student Senate President Nico Arias in April 2021.

Responsibilities and Results:

1. Promote environmental responsibility and stewardship to campus population, including faculty, staff, administration, and students, as well as the greater Fargo-Moorhead community when appropriate. Collaborate with campus population to analyze and prioritize University sustainability goals. Create and/or participate in various campaigns to promote recycling, save energy, and more. Prepare educational efforts including presentations, university publications, and public relations campaigns. Work with campus marketing to elevate sustainability promotion efforts, including website updates and newsletter maintenance. Design and execute campus sustainability initiatives, projects, and events. Assist the Executive Director of Facilities Management with managing university-wide projects that have sustainability components.
2. Work with campus operations to gather and analyze data related to sustainable operating goals and provide recommendations for achieving those goals. This may include solid waste tracking, carbon accounting, and participating in potential energy savings analysis projects with contractors. Identify methods, technologies, and potential funding sources for projects to pursue waste reduction, energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, greenhouse gas reduction, native landscaping, and water conservation. Identify and work to establish projects on campus that will help reach the University goal of net-zero carbon emissions. Provide energy and other data as requested to Minnesota State System Office. Serve as the Sustainability Lead contact for the Minnesota State System Office.
3. Serve as chair ex-officio of the Sustainable Campus Committee. Facilitate committee meetings, prepare and distribute agendas, meeting materials, and minutes of meetings. Prepare year-end reports, including student fee reviews and budgetary summaries. Coordinate sustainability projects and initiatives with other sustainability-focused committees on campus including the Sustainable Student Association and the Student Senate Sustainability Committee. Advise and participate in other committees on campus, including the Facility, Grounds, and Safety Committee.
4. Seek and pursue opportunities for sustainability educational information dissemination, including University-wide and public engagement. This position may include up to 3 credit hours of classroom teaching in conjunction with the MSUM School of Science, if desired by the employee. Craft creative and engaging topics, lectures, and sessions across campus, and consult on science outreach materials as needed.
5. Seek money to fund proposed sustainability projects and initiatives, including on-campus opportunities and external grants. Assist with identifying and preparing proposals for grants and prospective donors. Recommend compatible ways in which the university and the greater community or region’s sustainability goals can be achieved through partnership with regional events or collaboration.
6. Serve as supervisor for two student interns, including posting available positions, interviewing and hiring, and regular meetings. Students may wish to assist with primary tasks or take on larger projects of their own creation. Host frequent meetings and provide guidance and assistance as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Planning or Management with Sustainability emphasis, or related field OR 3 years of professional experience in sustainability or a related field.
Strong working knowledge and passion for the concept of sustainability and awareness of central issues and controversies in the discourse on sustainable development.
Ability to understand complexity of issues sufficient to make appropriate referrals.
Basic knowledge of the higher education environment and general practices.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the University community, as well as local and state agencies.
Ability to communicate verbally and in written English.
Able to demonstrate organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Able to work well independently, be a team player, and multi-tasker who can establish and follow priorities while maintaining flexibility.
Computer skills in Microsoft Office and related software applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge and professional experience with applicable federal, state, and local health, safety, and environmental laws and regulations related to environment, facilities, operations, and planning.
3 years of work experience in a sustainability-related or facilities-related field.
Experience in a government or higher education role.
Experience in developing and implementing programs and events

Working Conditions:

The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

Physical Effort:

Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

About:

Minnesota State Moorhead is an inclusive university that pushes you to forge your own path. We embrace diversity of ideas and people with our core values of grit, humility, and heart. Professors and peers will inspire you to blaze your own trail, supporting you every step of the way.

Employment Information:

The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.