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Chief Sustainability Officer/Executive Director of Sustainability Practices

Job Location

Tempe, AZ

On-Site

Type of Job

Full-Time

Salary

Depends on experience

Published By

Publisher Name

Published Date

Oct 28, 2021

About the job

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Job Description

Responsible for developing, initiating and/or coordinating a university-wide sustainability practices program in cooperation with university operations units and student organizations. Will act as a catalyst for project and program development, administer some programs and advise on policies within the area of sustainability.

 

Essential Duties

  • Develop, plan, coordinate and implement programs, initiatives, and resources related to sustainability practices at ASU.
  • Develop and /or recommend annual sustainability planning priorities for the university; identify annual expected outcomes, and coordinate appropriate evaluation of these efforts.
  • Help establish institutional sustainability principles and standards for energy and water consumption and conservation; new construction and renovation; landscape and grounds operations; waste management to include recycling; procurement practices and products; and others.
  • Provide a clearinghouse for sustainability data, knowledge, and know-how on campus.
  • Develop and maintain tools, metrics, and indicators for assessing progress towards sustainability goals, including overseeing the annual carbon inventory update.
  • Plan, manage and administer department budget.
  • Build relationships with campus administrative, operational, academic, research units, and students working in this field.
  • Work with appropriate campus units to assist them in developing more sustainable practices.
  • Advise, meet with, and be a resource for individual students and student groups engaging in sustainability issues and projects.
  • Collaborate with the campus community to shape and deliver internal campus messages about sustainability and serve as a campus spokesperson on sustainability issues with internal constituencies.
  • Build effective partnerships with local organizations to support sustainability efforts.
  • Keep abreast of best practices in sustainability, especially at other institutions of higher education, and participate in conferences and related events to identify new ideas and practices as well as communicate ASUs sustainability efforts. Represent university sustainability programs to the university community and the public.
  • Identify and pursue grant and resource development opportunities to support sustainability initiatives.
  • Supervise, hire, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
  • Work with employees to correct deficiencies and recommends and implements corrective action and discipline.
  • Recruit, interview, hire and manage student interns performing research or work on sustainability projects with well-defined deliverables.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in a related field (environmental science, engineering, social science or a field related to sustainability issues)  and eight (8) years’ experience managing a sustainability program in a complex organization which includes five (5) years of supervisory experience    OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Evidence of high level people management and relationship building skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience in being a visionary with a strategic mind with strong persuasive skills and dedication to a goal oriented approach.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the importance of soft skills and and ability to bring a team to a common consensus.
  • Experience with public speaking and presenting big ideas in an accessible way.

Working Environment

  • Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse
  • Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
  • Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.
  • Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
  • Communicate to perform essential functions.

Department Statement

University Sustainability Practices (USP) is charged with ensuring that the 140,000+ members of the ASU community achieve their aggressive, internal sustainability goals associated with Climate Positive, Circular Resource System, Optimized Water, Personal Action, Collaborative Action, Food Reconnection, Social Equity and Resilience & Regeneration. USP also coordinates ASU sustainability measurement & reporting, celebration of achievement and integration of the university’s research, education and social embeddedness mission with university operations in a “campus as a living laboratory” model for sustainability. Arizona State University is a leader in putting sustainability into action and this role is key to helping USP take that leadership to a new level.

 

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements - Under the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, ASU expects all employees, including new hires, to be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Proof of vaccination will be required by December 8, 2021. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s https://cfo.asu.edu/DEI and see “Workplace accommodations”.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/relocation-services.

 

Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

 

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

 

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

 

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Applicant must provide three business related references; one current supervisor and two former supervisors; coworker will only be accepted if work history does not allow for three supervisors. Personal references are not accepted.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States; ASU University Sustainability Practices will not be a sponsor for this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.

 

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