Full-Time Director of Sustainability
Job Description
Housed within the Division of Business and Administrative Services, the Sustainability Office has broad responsibility for coordination of campus-wide sustainability initiatives. This includes strategic planning, monitoring, communication and support of pilot programs and projects, to meet the goals and objectives of the Campus Sustainability Plan and the UCSC Climate Action Plan, in compliance with the University of California’s Sustainable Practices Policy, State regulations and other commitments. Through operational, organizational, and behavioral transformation the Sustainability Office works to advance the cause of environmental, economic and human sustainability.
The Director of Sustainability reports to the Vice Chancellor, Business and Administrative Services. The incumbent manages the activities and budget of the Sustainability Office, which has responsibility for fostering a culture of sustainability on campus, charting a strategic course that anticipates future sustainability trends and positions the campus accordingly. The incumbent identifies key players and coordinates and supports the efforts of departments and individuals who have primary responsibility for implementing sustainability programs/projects. Strengthens synergies to foster a dynamic culture of innovation to instill sustainability into the core business of the campus and campus life while fostering key relationships and collaboration with leadership and staff, including:
Academic Affairs: To encourage co-curricular opportunities, foster expansion of campus research and instruction sustainability initiatives, and support the Sustainability Office’s student internship program. The incumbent meets regularly with the Vice Provost.
Business and Administrative Services: To coordinate, support and facilitate sustainable operations that meet the goals and objectives of the Campus Sustainability Plan and the UCSC Climate Action Plan.
Campus Life: To coordinate, support, and facilitate sustainable operations that meet the goals and objectives of the Campus Sustainability Plan and the UCSC Climate Action Plan, to encourage behavioral change among the students to foster a climate of sustainability on campus, and to develop future sustainability ambassadors after graduation.
Planning and Budget: To explore alternative organizational structures and operational funding and budget models in support of the goals and objectives of the Campus Sustainability Plan and the UCSC Climate Action Plan.
University Relations: To develop effective outreach and communication strategies on campus and with outside constituencies and to support campus campaign funding initiatives related to campus sustainability.
Chancellor and Campus Provost/ Executive Vice Chancellor: To provide information and updates, as needed, to support the Chancellor’s and Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor’s commitment to implementing sustainable programs and projects at UCSC including: campus sustainability projects and programs, progress toward campus sustainability goals and objectives, updates on UC Policy and system-wide initiatives, implications of regulatory requirements (e.g., evolving AB 32 regulations), etc.
Qualifications / Competencies:
Substantial oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clear and concise reports and correspondence; and public speaking skills to make clear informative, and persuasive presentations to internal and external audiences.
Ability to listen carefully to what people are saying and to translate their interests and goals.
Demonstrated leadership and facilitation skills to foster collaborative coordination efforts between departments, and between on- and off-campus stakeholders.
Ability to think creatively to problem solve constructively and transparently.
Demonstrated experience to anticipate and plan strategically for contingencies, both immediate and long-term, particularly in a rapidly evolving setting, with the ability to analyze and define problems and objectives, recognize alternatives and formulate creative solutions.
Superior organizational skills within a constantly evolving field to sufficiently prioritize, manage, and complete multiple assignments with the ability to work independently, and think innovatively with minimal direction.
Project management skills to oversee and/or manage special pilot projects/programs, to design their scope to provide outcomes useful to the campus, and to manage these within prescribed schedule and budget parameters.
Demonstrated ability to manage a constrained budget that involves numerous fund sources and multiple initiatives.
Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills to work in a community with diverse, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political/ethical philosophies, and to effectively represent UCSC to the campus and community.
Demonstrated experience with analyzing and interpreting written material and quantitative data to draw conclusions, make recommendations and communicate complex sustainability issues in a clear, concise manner.
Supervisory skills to hire, train, assign work, motivate and manage performance to ensure an engaged and effective staff.
Demonstrated personnel management and team building experience, particularly related to supporting a core group of dedicated staff and student interns/employees through clear prioritization of tasks related to overall objectives.
Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Environmental Studies, Organizational Development, Environmental Engineering or relevant field; or equivalent education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications / Competencies Demonstrated record of institutional change management, including experience with implementing innovative ways to affect organizational, operational, and behavioral transformation at all levels of a large, complex institution, with patience and resilience.
Preferred:
Masters, and/or PhD degree in a relevant field (such as, Public or Business Administration, Environmental Studies, Organizational Development, Environmental Engineering, etc).
Experience with sustainability policies and practices within a university setting.
Knowledge of University of California, local, state, and federal levels related to campus sustainability and climate protection.
Special Conditions of Employment Selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check.
Ability to occasionally work outside of the regularly scheduled business hours, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to travel in order to represent the UCSC sustainability programs at UCOP, other UC campuses, at conferences, public events, etc.
Will be required to complete Title IX (Sexual Harassment) training every two years.