Sustainability Associate, Cities (Remote US)

The Sustainability Associate position at Waste Management involves managing sustainability projects for public sector clients, focusing on environmental stewardship and customer service. Key responsibilities include conducting sustainability assessments, developing programs, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The role requires collaboration with clients to identify goals, prepare reports, and provide technical support. The position allows for remote work or on-site execution of projects.
About the position

The position is focused on managing comprehensive sustainability projects for customers in the public sector, driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship and customer service. The role involves conducting organizational evaluations, designing and implementing sustainability programs, engaging stakeholders, and developing strategies for emissions accounting and reduction. The individual will work closely with public sector agencies to ensure compliance with relevant regulations while promoting best practices in sustainability. Projects may be executed remotely or on-site, and the individual will maintain pre-established standards for safety and environmental issues. Key responsibilities include consulting with customers to identify their sustainability goals and developing implementation strategies that align with their strategic direction. The role requires performing full facility and organization sustainability assessments, analyzing results, and consulting with clients to identify and implement environmental sustainability initiatives. The individual will also prepare comprehensive reports that include environmental, social, and economic analyses, and present findings to clients in a timely manner. Collaboration with public sector clients is essential to understand their sustainability challenges and provide technical support on various projects. The individual will assist clients in preparing sustainability reports, meeting regulatory requirements, and developing training sessions and educational materials. Additionally, the role involves researching grants and funding opportunities, integrating environmental justice priorities into program development, and implementing greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. The individual will manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring compliance with client and government regulations, and promoting a culture of safety among site personnel.

Responsibilities
• Consult with existing, new, and potential customers to identify goals and solutions and develop implementation strategies.
,
• Engage with customers on their strategic direction for sustainability, advising on targets and potential improvement levers.
,
• Perform full facility and organization sustainability assessments and implement programs.
,
• Analyze assessment results and consult with clients to identify, design, and implement environmental sustainability initiatives and cost-saving opportunities.
,
• Prepare final reports, including environmental, social, and economic analysis, and present conclusions to the customer in a timely manner.
,
• Collaborate with public sector clients to understand their sustainability goals and challenges.
,
• Provide technical support and guidance on sustainability projects and initiatives.
,
• Assist clients in preparing sustainability reports and meeting regulatory requirements.
,
• Develop and deliver training sessions, workshops, and educational materials for public sector clients and their employees.
,
• Research and identify relevant grants and funding opportunities for public sector clients; prepare and submit detailed applications aligned with client objectives and funding requirements.
,
• Integrate environmental justice priorities into program development.
,
• Research and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies.
,
• Support on-site program implementation.
,
• Design project schedules, maintain multiple projects at the same time, meet deadlines and deliver quality deliverables.
,
• Analyze data sets, baseline data, and assessment findings to identify improvement opportunities.
,
• Ensure compliance with client and government regulations when performing assessments, implementing programs, and managing other on-site functions.
,
• Promote a culture of safety by ensuring site personnel are properly trained to perform assigned duties and comply with safety, environmental, federal, state, and local regulations.
,
• Maintain communications and a close working relationship with key WM Market Area personnel.
,
• Monitor changes in legislation and industry standards that may impact public sector clients.
,
• Self-educate on current sustainability topics, issues, and trends.

Requirements
• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability, Architectural Design, Community Planning, Business or related field, or High School Diploma/GED with four years of relevant experience.
,
• 3 years of relevant work experience in project/business management and Environmental or services industry experience required.
,
• Experience with sustainability risk and management frameworks, public sector specific or otherwise strongly preferred.
,
• Experience conducting a baseline environmental impact assessment for public sector agencies, analyzing data on energy use, waste generation, and water consumption strongly preferred.
,
• Experience leading waste reduction initiatives for public sector agencies, including implementing a comprehensive recycling program and conducting community outreach strongly preferred.
,
• Knowledge of relevant regulations, policies, and market trends related to sustainability and climate change strongly preferred.
,
• Experience with conducting a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and executing mitigation initiatives, organizational advisory services, and materials management strongly preferred.
,
• Experience with environmental justice and intersectional environmentalism preferred.
,
• Experience managing material minimization and diversion programs, supply chain analyses, and sustainable material management planning preferred.
,
• Experience managing multiple customers and/or projects simultaneously preferred.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with the development of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs preferred.
,
• Experience with implementing GHG emissions reduction initiatives and researching mitigation technology preferred.
,
• Knowledge and experience in grant writing preferred.

Benefits
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Short Term Disability coverage.
,
• Stock Purchase Plan.
,
• Company match on 401K.
,
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days.