Director of Sustainability

The University of California, Riverside is seeking a Director of Sustainability to manage initiatives supporting the Office of Sustainability. The role involves strategic leadership in sustainability practices, collaboration across university sectors, and overseeing sustainability management. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and 6-10 years of relevant experience, with a preference for advanced degrees. The expected salary is up to $125,000 annually, and the position is based in Riverside, CA.
Position Information

The full salary range for the Director of Sustainability is $90,400 - $169,000 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $125,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. The Director of Sustainability manages a portfolio of initiatives and projects in support of the University of California, Riverside Office of Sustainability which includes close coordination with the Academic Sustainability Faculty Lead. The director reports to the Vice Chancellor for Planning Budget & Administration (PB&A) and is responsible for assisting in positioning UC Riversides as a national and global higher education leader in sustainability. The director is responsible for supporting the development of a collaborative organizational model that assists the Office of Sustainability to creatively address campus sustainability priorities local, state, national, and international challenges through campus efforts. The director is a strategist that is knowledgeable in the following areas, but not limited to; academic and research infrastructure, environmental protection, economic stability, social equity, energy, climate change, water, waste, transportation, procurement, food systems, and green buildings. The incumbent provides recommendations that drive formulation and execution of organization sustainability strategy campus-wide through initiatives. The position assists to oversee sustainability management, policy, innovation, brand reputation, and program development & assessment. The director will work to foster partnerships across the academic and operational areas of the university to continue to develop UC Riverside as a living laboratory for sustainability. Primarily the position will establish an effective communication strategy and manage data collection for sustainability planning and reporting. Manages data collection for AASHE STARS, Sierra Club Green Schools, Princeton Review Green College Guide and other organizations, along with managing all submittals to these organization and to the University of California, Office of the President for system reporting. The director will have a close partnership with the Faculty Lead for the Office of Sustainability and work closely with the Campus Sustainability Committee, and Facilities Services. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience/training in environmental science, management, or policy; architecture; engineering; or public health.

Requirement

Required

Degree

Master's degree or PhD.

Requirement

Preferred

Experience Requirements

Experience

6 - 10 years of related experience.

Requirement

Required

Experience

Experience with sustainability in higher education or public sector.

Requirement

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced ability to organize information, extract relevant data, and prepare reports in various formats.
• Advanced verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration across diverse constituencies in a large organization.
• Advanced ability to create clear, concise correspondence, presentations and business documents.
• Highly proficient in all software applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Access) and database applications.
• Ability to lead, engage and motivate groups to meet common objectives.
• Advanced knowledge in the area of environmental sustainability management policies, issues and initiatives.
• Advanced skill in coordinating, staffing and leading cost-effective sustainability focused programs.
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. Green Building Council rating systems.
• Strong writing and editing skills to prepare concise, accurate and understandable reports, policy/procedure documentation, proposals and general correspondence. Experience in strategic planning and ability to develop short- and long-term plans for campus sustainability. Ability to write clear and concise reports and correspondence and interact effectively with many levels of staff throughout the department and university.
• General broad knowledge of energy management, transportation, construction, food service, waste management, and water resource management.
• Strong initiative, judgement, discretion, analytical problem-solving ability, confidentiality, and the capacity to organize and handle a wide range of duties accurately and consistently.
• Proven ability to develop new project within an academic setting; understand of how to institutionalize new sustainability efforts.
• Resourcefulness and creativity in drafting new University policies and procedure to meet both University and department needs.
• Demonstrated exceptional oral communication skills, comfort with public speaking an ability to listen, learn and build trust amount various consistencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, department and university personnel, and the public in order to promote sustainability initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced knowledge of sustainability policies and procedures in the areas of design and construction; purchasing; contracts, grants and gift processing; building codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of shared governance.
• Knowledge of financial operations that extends beyond budgeting to include, project finance, corporate finance, debt finance, equity finance, with the ability to make a business case for new direction for sustainability initiatives.
• Ability to conduct on-site visual inspections of projects involving walking, standing, climbing stairs and ladders, stooping, crouching, and balancing in precarious locations. Ability to work in various environmental conditions when conducting visual inspections of construction including noise, fumes, dust, and humidity.

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.
• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

Generic Scope

Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas; problem-solving frequently requires analysis of unique issues/problems without precedent and/or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy.

Custom Scope

Applies advanced knowledge of sustainability practices and policies to identify, develop, and implement institutional sustainability efforts for the University. Researches and monitors trends and innovations in energy and sustainability. Provides expertise on these topics to the University.

Department Custom Scope

The Director of Sustainability manages a portfolio of initiatives and projects in support of the University of California, Riverside Office of Sustainability which includes close coordination with the Academic Sustainability Faculty Lead. The director reports to the Vice Chancellor for Planning Budget & Administration (PB&A) and is responsible for assisting in positioning UC Riversides as a national and global higher education leader in sustainability. The director is responsible for supporting the development of a collaborative organizational model that assists the Office of Sustainability to creatively address campus sustainability priorities local, state, national, and international challenges through campus efforts. The director is a strategist that is knowledgeable in the following areas, but not limited to; academic and research infrastructure, environmental protection, economic stability, social equity, energy, climate change, water, waste, transportation, procurement, food systems, and green buildings. The incumbent provides recommendations that drive formulation and execution of organization sustainability strategy campus-wide through initiatives. The position assists to oversee sustainability management, policy, innovation, brand reputation, and program development & assessment. The director will work to foster partnerships across the academic and operational areas of the university to continue to develop UC Riverside as a living laboratory for sustainability. Primarily the position will establish an effective communication strategy and manage data collection for sustainability planning and reporting. Manages data collection for AASHE STARS, Sierra Club Green Schools, Princeton Review Green College Guide and other organizations, along with managing all submittals to these organization and to the University of California, Office of the President for system reporting. The director will have a close partnership with the Faculty Lead for the Office of Sustainability and work closely with the Campus Sustainability Committee, and Facilities Services.