2025-2026 SY: Specialist - Sustainability Education

Santa Fe Public Schools is hiring a Sustainability Education Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year. This role, based in Santa Fe, NM, involves supporting sustainability initiatives through educational projects and outreach to enhance climate literacy among students and staff. The position requires a Bachelor's degree, relevant experience, and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include program development, civic engagement, and collaboration with the sustainability team.
Title:

Specialist -

Sustainability Specialist

Work Unit:

Facilities & Maintenance Department - Operations

Reports To:

Sustainability Program Director/Facilities and Maintenance Department Director(s)

Contract Length:

10 month

Pay Schedule:

Department Support -

10 month

Overtime Status:

Exempt

Hours:

40 hours per week

Union Status:

NEA

Licensure:

N/A

Note: All positions with Santa Fe Public Schools require a post-offer/pre-employment background check. Some positions have additional requirements as established by federal or state rules and regulations.

General Function:
The main function of this position is to support Santa Fe Public Schools in achieving organizational sustainability through educational projects, initiatives, and outreach that advance the goals of the SFPS Sustainability Guide. The Sustainability Education Specialist supports, develops, and implements programming that increases climate and environmental literacy amongst SFPS students, educators, and staff. Additional outcomes include increased civic engagement of the school community, cross-curricular integration of sustainability concepts, energy and water conservation, and waste reduction.

The Sustainability Education Specialist will work collaboratively with Sustainability team members to complement program initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, alternative transportation initiatives, and other relevant special projects to ensure involvement and awareness within the school community. Additionally, the Specialist will act as a conduit between the school community and the Sustainability Program at-large to ensure effective and efficient communication about site-based priorities and needs.

Education/Training/Experience:
Minimum: Bachelor’s degree with one year of relevant experience.
Preferred: Master’s degree in Education, Environmental Science, or related field. Valid New Mexico Teaching License. Knowledge of Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Three or more years of teaching experience in K-12 schools. Experience in curriculum development and implementation. Experience in program and grant management. Bilingual: English-Spanish.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
Must have effective communication skills, both oral and written. Must have the ability to educate and influence staff/students to advance initiative objectives. Skills must include flexibility, organization, public speaking, project management, and problem-solving. Must have the ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously. Must be able to coordinate effectively with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders. Must be proficient with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. Must have the ability and willingness to educate oneself based on the initiative’s technical content and needs. Must be able to demonstrate skills in long and short-term planning as well as grant management and development. Will be required to become proficient in the knowledge of District policies, demonstrate an independent work ethic, and use sound judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
Performs all functions in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change over time to meet the organization's needs. Current essential functions include the following:
• Support educators and SFPS staff with the integration of sustainability concepts into the classroom and school campus through professional development, curriculum development, resource development, and other technical assistance.
• Coordinate with SFPS district staff to identify opportunities for cross-curricular integration of environmental and climate concepts to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to access and be successful in emerging and existing careers.
• Coordinate with community partners and other external entities to enhance learning opportunities through project and place-based learning, field trips, guest speakers, extracurricular opportunities, and other special initiatives.
• Amplify opportunities for school buildings and schoolyards to act as learning labs with an emphasis on STEAM education, sustainable design, and outdoor learning.
• Ensure programmatic activities, materials, and offerings are aligned with district policies and priorities, Common Core State Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.
• Manage the reuse and repurposing of curriculum resources and instructional supplies housed at the district’s warehouse effectively and efficiently.
• Assess the efficacy of waste reduction initiatives, including food waste collection and recycling, and perform behavior change interventions when necessary.
• Research, develop, and implement a district-wide framework for school-based green teams to encourage student and staff-led initiatives, foster leadership development, and streamline communication between school campuses and the Sustainability Program.
• Support the implementation of student and staff-led sustainability initiatives through thought leadership and district-level coordination as required.
• Research grant opportunities, prepare grant applications and budgets, implement grant activities, and report to funding entities as required.
• Monitor, evaluate, and communicate programmatic activities, impact, and efficacy to the Sustainability Program Director and other diverse stakeholders as requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Salary Range:
$59,777-$69,642 annual salary. Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to full and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Resources Used in Performing the Job Include (but are not limited to):
Standard office equipment and software platforms such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the Google Suite. Telephone, printer, copier, computer, badge machine, calculator.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
Must be able to tactfully and effectively communicate with a wide range of people. Must be able and amenable to performing frequent district-wide or other travel and occasional prolonged and irregular hours, including work in the mornings, and occasionally in the evenings, weekends, or other periods when schools are closed. Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach. Must be able to walk, bike, and stand for a long period. Must be able to push, pull, or lift at least 25 pounds. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Environmental Conditions:
Most work is performed in an indoor office setting and at school sites. Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and reaching are required. Travel is required in the district for program events and meetings, as well as occasional meetings or conferences out of the district.

Personal Accountability:
• Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
• Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
• Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
• Consistently professionally handles oneself.
• Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
• Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment, including its capabilities, limitations, and appropriate/special applications.
• Protects the district’s resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
• Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.
• Demonstrates an openness to job performance feedback and a willingness to grow and adapt as required by the position.

Santa Fe Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, medical/genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.