Sustainability Specialist

Texas A&M University is hiring a Sustainability Specialist to coordinate sustainability practices within the Office of Sustainability. The role involves program development, project coordination, education, and stakeholder engagement to improve sustainability metrics. Responsibilities include managing the STARS assessment process, overseeing student interns, and leading outreach efforts. The position is based in College Station, TX, and is not remote.
Job TitleSustainability Specialist Agency Texas A&M University Department Office Of Sustainability Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description A Glimpse of the Job The Sustainability Specialist I, under general supervision, coordinates practices related to the Office of Sustainability & Campus Enrichment (OSCE). Areas of leadership include the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), undergraduate internship program, event planning, managing support employees, office strategy, and fostering a culture of sustainability. Essential Duties/Tasks Program and Project Development - Assists in the planning, developing, implementation, and evaluation of STARS submission programs and projects with a goal to continually improve the institution’s performance. Creates, maintains, and leads a cross-functional team of STARS stakeholders from across campus. Communicates with various campus constituencies and stakeholders to accumulate the data needed for STARS assessments and works with stakeholders to implement additional strategies needed to improve the STARS rating. Manages budget for small projects or components of large programs under the direction of the program director. Participates in project development meetings, collaborating with team members to establish project goals and objectives. Project Coordination and Monitoring - Coordinates project activities of the OSCE Student Intern Program to include hiring, development of training programs, offering clear direction, mentoring team members, and creating a positive and professional working environment where students are empowered to conduct research and present their findings. Coordinates and implements operational strategies that assess the progress of the Sustainability Master Plan. Reviews and analyzes data for effectiveness and communicates with the various campus stakeholders to determine the effectiveness of plan metrics. Education and Engagement - Provides leadership and guidance of operational activities that help create a culture of sustainability by communicating and educating all parts of campus and the broader community on issues of sustainability through public speaking, storytelling, outreach events, the Office social media accounts, and other behavior change programs. Assists in the planning, developing, implementation of office social media strategy. Develops, organizes, and implements activities and programs such as Campus Sustainability Month, Earth Month, and student-led virtual talks. Implement policies and procedures to support departmental goals. Reporting and Documentation - Assists in writing and disseminates work plans, proposals, and progress reports such as the Annual Sustainability Highlights Report publication. Prepares agendas for meetings and ensures the documentation of key decisions. Collaborates with team members to develop project collateral such as presentations. Committee Participation and Stakeholder Engagement - Serves as an active participant in project-related work groups and committees such as Sustainability & Environmental Management Committee (SEMC), and University Sustainability Advisory Committee (USAC). Disseminates project information and provides recommendations to achieve project goals. What you need to know Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience. Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section. Required Education Bachelor’s degree in applicable field such as Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Sociology, or Business, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in sustainability in higher education. Experience with the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. Experience working with students to accomplish organizational goals. Experience developing social media campaigns, from conceptualization to execution. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Knowledge of Adobe and Canva applications. Knowledge of social media management software such as Sprout. Experience with organizing, analyzing, and presenting data in Excel or similar applications. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Excellent customer service and presentation skills. Other Requirements and Factors Occasional work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends as necessary to achieve objectives This position is security sensitive This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements Why Texas A&M University? Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service. We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.  Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 12-15 days of annual paid holidays Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. Howdy and thank you for your interest in a career with Texas A&M University. As the flagship campus of The Texas A&M University System, we are located in College Station, Texas with a student population of more than 74,000 and nearly 14,000 faculty and staff. The Spirit of Aggieland is unmistakable. We are a unique American institution, fostering a culture of friendliness, compassion and respect for one another. Our unique history and rich traditions make Texas A&M special. From our benefits package and professional development opportunities to our retirement programs, Texas A&M is a great place to work. Your path to a great career starts here! Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. If you need assistance in applying for this job, please contact (979) 845-5154. Useful Links: Benefit Programs Retirement Employee Discount Program Flexible Spending Accounts University Holidays Legal Statements New Employee Orientation Prospective Employees Safety and Security Notices Training and Development USERRA Nondiscrimination Notice