Sustainability, Climate & Zero Waste Manager

The City of Lakewood is hiring a Sustainability, Climate & Zero Waste Manager to oversee the development and implementation of sustainability programs that enhance community quality of life. This role involves coordinating departmental efforts, creating policies, managing a multi-departmental sustainability committee, and providing expertise on environmental issues. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, at least five years of experience in sustainability, and strong leadership skills. Responsibilities include grant management, community engagement, and establishing measurement standards for initiatives.
About the position

The City of Lakewood is seeking a dedicated and experienced Sustainability, Climate & Zero Waste Manager to lead the Division responsible for developing and implementing sustainability plans and programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Lakewood citizens. This position plays a crucial role in fostering a sustainable community by coordinating efforts across various departments and engaging with both internal and external stakeholders. The Sustainability Manager will be tasked with creating policies and overseeing projects that contribute to the long-term health of the Lakewood community, ensuring that sustainability initiatives align with the City’s core values of performance excellence, leadership, respect, and collaboration. In this role, the manager will utilize their extensive background in sustainability planning and practice to develop and administer a City-wide sustainability program. This program will focus on environmental, economic, and social sustainability, ensuring that all projects and programs are coordinated effectively across departments. The manager will also be responsible for developing measurement standards to assess the return on investment for sustainability initiatives, managing a multi-departmental employee sustainability committee, and providing technical knowledge on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. The Sustainability Manager will represent the City at community events and meetings, serving as a resource for residents on sustainability issues. They will also lead efforts to research best practices, prepare and manage grants for sustainable projects, and establish credibility for the Division’s work among citizens, the business community, and various governmental bodies. This position requires strong leadership skills, the ability to foster a collaborative culture, and a commitment to high-quality work and effective communication.

Responsibilities
• Develop and administer a City-wide sustainability program focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
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• Coordinate efforts with all departments in the implementation of sustainability projects and programs.
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• Develop measurement standards to assess the return on investment for sustainability initiatives.
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• Manage the activities of a multi-departmental employee sustainability committee.
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• Examine and recommend organizational efficiencies to reduce waste across departments.
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• Provide technical knowledge and advice on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency issues.
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• Research best practices and make recommendations to senior management regarding sustainability initiatives.
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• Prepare, submit, and manage grants for sustainable projects and approaches.
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• Represent the City at community events and meetings, serving as a resource for residents on sustainability issues.
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• Lead the Division in establishing work programs to ensure quality and efficiency in sustainability efforts.

Requirements
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a science-related field, planning, or a field that fosters understanding of sustainability from an accredited college.
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• A minimum of 5 years of varied experience in a sustainability-related field.
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• 2 years of supervisory experience.
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• Strong understanding of sustainability planning practice and theory in a local government setting.
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• Experience managing multi-disciplinary projects to successful and timely conclusions.
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• Familiarity with project management goals and tools.
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• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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• Ability to create and maintain a motivated team-oriented culture.

Nice-to-haves
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Certification preferred.
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• Public and private sector experience preferred.

Benefits
• Competitive salary range of $104,124.80 - $143,166.40 annually.
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• Opportunities for professional development and training.
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• Engagement in community-focused sustainability initiatives.