University of Massachusetts Amherst
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The role of the Chancellor's Sustainability Advisory Committee is to: 1. Facilitate integration of sustainability initiatives across the campus 2. Recommend sustainability priorities to the Chancellor and Chancellor's Leadership Council (CLC) 3. Serve as an intermediary for student initiatives to the administration CSAC meets monthly throughout the calendar year with one to two breaks in the schedule during summer and winter break.

Current membership includes 17 representatives from: Facilities & Campus Services: Ezra Small (Chair), Raymond Jackson, Ludmilla Pavlova Environmental Health & Safety: Jeff Hescock Budget Office: Lynn McKenna ​Residential Life Student Services: Dawn Bond Auxiliary Services: Ken Toong University Relations: Nathaniel Schildbach Libraries: Madeleine Charney College of Natural Sciences: Craig Nicolson College of Humanities and Fine Arts: Ajla Aksamija, Amilcar Shabazz College of Social and Behavioral Sciences: John Hird, Elisabeth Hamin School of Earth and Sustainability: Curt Griffin Graduate Student Senate: Laurie Simmons Student Government Association: Ainsley Brosnan-Smith

There is a sustainability office in the Physical Plant within the Facilities & Campus Services which oversees sustainability advancement in operations relating to energy, procurement, transportation, waste and collaboration with academics and engagement. There is a sustainability office in the Auxiliary Services which oversees sustainability advancement in dining and food procurement.

Publishing of the Green Building Guidelines (updates in 2015) Sustainability Integration Planning Process (SIP) during early 2017 into early 2018 produced 6 Top Priorities for the campus for Sustainability integration into the campus-wide strategic planning process and institutional re-accreditation process. These priorities include Carbon Mitigation Planning, Resiliency Planning, Food Insecurity, Zero Waste Planning, Hands-On Learning, and Cohesive Communications.

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: Reporting to the Director of the Physical Plant, the Sustainability Manager will be responsible for fostering a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff; identifying and prioritizing areas for institutional sustainability efforts; planning and developing long- and short-term programs and engaging institutional leaders to foster sustainability broadly across the campus. The Manager will assist the academic community in the process of including sustainability into curriculum. The Manager serves as the liaison to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies, in order to fill out annual reporting requirements, interfaces with counterparts throughout the University of Massachusetts system, and serves as Chair of the Chancellor’s Sustainability Committee (CSC). B. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: 1. Create strategies to integrate sustainability principles across the operational functions of the University; utilize the Chancellors Sustainability Committee, in-house expertise, peer institution practices, literature and conferences to develop ideas to advance UMass’s sustainability efforts; Evaluate these opportunities for technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability by the UMass community; Create detailed implementation plans to recommend to University administration; Work with units to implement approved project plans; analyze effectiveness and results of projects. 2. Develop and coordinate a process that leads to the creation of sustainability standards and policies that can be implemented at an institutional level, i.e., Transportation, Waste Management, Energy Systems, other. 3. Work across campus to develop a central organizing structure or platform for managing sustainability efforts. Oversee the development and maintenance of multiple campus –wide sustainability sub-committees and coordinate efforts among other professional sustainability staff in other units on campus. 4. Interact with units/departments that have existing sustainability initiatives, e.g., Physical Plant, Facilities Planning, Environmental Health and Safety, Procurement, to enhance existing efforts by providing suggestions that lead to more sustainable operational systems, to coordinate efforts that exist across units/departments, and to share ideas regarding successful initiatives across units/departments. 5. Provide support to Physical Plant for the development and implementation of energy and natural resource conservation projects, including energy conservation and green building design. Monitor and evaluate design, construction, and operations for environmental design practices. Participate in sustainable design charrettes on major construction projects. Lead efforts to continually update the campus Climate Action Plans and sustainability goals. 6. Publicize, promote, and communicate UMass’s sustainability efforts within and outside of the UMass community. Document progress towards sustainability and promote broader awareness of UMass’s environmental efforts and accomplishments. Actively disseminate information on issues of sustainability, especially regarding the environmental impacts of UMass’s activities, UMass’s sustainability initiatives, and how individual members of the UMass community can make positive contributions. Develop a comprehensive website for the sustainability initiative. Manage, create materials for, and update the Sustainable UMass website. 7. Serve as Chair of the CSC and provide support for the committee’s activities including coordinating the monitoring of UMass’s sustainability performance, including areas such as energy, materials procurement, materials and water consumption, waste streams (solid, food, hazardous), recycling percentages, and emissions to land, water, and air. Prepare regular progress reports highlighting efforts in these areas up to the Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor’s Leadership Council (CLC). Oversee the management of the Sustainability, Innovation & Engagement Fund. 8. Build involvement and support for sustainability projects among faculty, staff, and students, across the entire campus. 9. Provide support to Residence Life Sustainability Coordinator and residential initiatives such as the Eco-Rep Program, to increase sustainability of student residences and the environmental literacy of the student body. Identify opportunities for outside grant funding, rebate programs, or other savings programs. 10. Manage staff, student employees, graduate student research assistant, and/or environmental interns including the student Fellowship Program, and Green Building Researchers. 11. Speak at local, regional and international conferences. 12. Build bridges to academic deans and directors across campus departments. C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, education, or public administration, or related degree in architecture, engineering, management, or science, with an environmental focus. Preferred: Masters or advanced degree. 2. Five (5) or more years experience in a related field, three (3) of which must be in implementing environmental or sustainability programs. 3. Leadership experience in environmental initiatives, resource management, and teaching/presenting information. 4. Knowledge of environmental management policies, issues, and initiatives. Experience with energy, water, and waste conservation in buildings. 5. Strong interpersonal skills, working with diverse groups of individuals and building partnerships. 6. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, including writing and public speaking. 7. Ability to work independently, to be a team leader, and to work as a team member. 8. Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy. 9. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and an ability to learn other software as needed. 10. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and to work with shifting priorities and schedules. 11. Preferred Qualifications Website management skills Experience in a university environment, or a non-profit LEED Accredited Professional or the ability to gain accreditation within two years. D. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general management of the Director Physical Plant, but is expected to work independently within the guidelines established.