Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Institute of the Environment seeks a strategic administrator and effective Director of the Office of Sustainability at the University of Connecticut, who will leverage our institutional reputation in sustainability to further advance our national and international leadership in sustainability and the environment.

The Office of Sustainability reports to the Institute of the Environment and works with senior administrators, students, faculty, and staff to set and achieve sustainability goals for the University in the areas of climate action and resilience, energy and buildings, waste reduction and diversion, water resources, food and dining, grounds, purchasing, transportation, open space and natural resource stewardship, and the intersection of these issues with environmental and social justice. The Office develops outreach and engagement programs that feature experiential learning to raise awareness and improve performance around sustainable practices and behaviors related to campus life.

UConn is internationally recognized as a leader in campus sustainability, consistently placing in the top 10 of the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools ranking and possessing a Platinum Rating with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). By convening and leading the Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC), and more recently through its participation on President’s Working Group on Sustainability & the Environment, the Office of Sustainability provides the University community with a focal point for campus dialogue on energy and environmental issues, and has been integral to the successful planning and implementation of environmental sustainability initiatives at UConn.

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Institute of the Environment, the Director advocates for sustainable decision-making across diverse units at the University. From an administrative position, the Director manages a modest staff of professionals and students, and oversees fiscal operations of the Office. Learn more about the Office of Sustainability by visiting our website: https://sustainability.uconn.edu/.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director advocates for sustainable decision-making across diverse units at the University; more specifically, the Director will:

1. Lead the development of sustainability-related goals, policy, and planning that relate to all operational facets of the University, as well as participate in planning, development, design, and evaluation of program activities;
2. Assess programmatic needs and deliver program services and activities in accordance with program goals and objectives; as well as monitor program’s compliance with University policies and procedures;
3. Collaborate on the implementation of campus sustainability projects by acting as a liaison between academic and operational divisions, as well as coordinate workshops, training programs, program curricula, training materials, outreach programs, conferences, meetings, and seminars;
4. Synthesize report metrics related to sustainability accomplishments, as well as collect and analyze program data, participate in evaluating program effectiveness, and identify problems and make necessary changes;
5. Build authentic collaborative partnerships with campus cultural centers, affinity groups, and student organizations to integrate environmental justice in sustainability activities and to support shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging;
6. Engage students, staff members, faculty members, and various stakeholders in sustainability-related initiatives, programs, and projects, as well as serve as a primary resource to students, staff members, faculty members, University partners, and external groups on programmatic policies, procedures, and activities at the University;
7. Engage in public relations and promotional activities for the Office of Sustainability;
8. Solicit extramural support for sustainability or demonstration projects from federal, state, philanthropic, and corporate sources;
9. Represent the University with regard to sustainability-related issues to diverse stakeholders.
10. Prepare and monitor the departmental budget; monitor and approve expenditures; implement and monitor bookkeeping and fiscal procedures for the Office; and identify resources and funding sources as needed;
11. Serve as primary supervisor for administrative staff; resolve personnel and workforce concerns; and provide regular feedback and evaluation of performance;
12. Prepare comprehensive analyses and recommendations for administrative and executive decision-making and leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Advanced degree (e.g., MS, MA, MBA, or equivalent) in a sustainability discipline or related field, and at least 5 years of leadership experience in the context of a sustainability-focused enterprise.
2. A demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate, and engage stakeholders in the development, planning, and implementation of strategic initiatives with respect to sustainability programming from academic or operations perspectives.
3. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), particularly as it pertains to the intersection of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) with sustainability.
4. Management experience regarding supervision of professional staff members or students, managing change, resolving conflict, and building consensus.
5. Record of successful solicitation of extramural support for sustainability-related initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., J.D.) in a sustainability discipline or related field.
2. Three to five years of leadership experience in a higher education setting.
3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a diverse organization, especially with regard to programmatic needs, plans, and strategies.
4. Advanced knowledge of current sustainability concepts, issues, trends, and best practices in an operations/facilities or academic context.
5. Demonstrated business acumen in allocating resources and managing budgets.
6. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and balance the needs of diverse staff members and stakeholders.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 12-month, management position.  The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition reimbursement at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment.  Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.  For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.  For additional information about the University visit: http://www.uconn.edu/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/en-us/job/496226/director-of-the-office-of-sustainability-university-staff-professional-2

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #496226 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Please direct questions about this position opening to Ashley Helton (as***********@uc***.edu), Deputy Director of the Institute of the Environment.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Sustainability.

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