Campus Sustainability Operations Specialist; Internal

General Summary of Position:

This being an internal opportunity, only current UML Employees, irrespective of Bargaining units are eligible to apply for this position.

The position, reporting to the Director of Sustainability, supports the operational, administrative, and programmatic functions of the Office of Sustainability. This position plays a key role in advancing campus waste minimization, surplus and asset management, sustainability programming, vendor coordination, and campus engagement initiatives. The position provides direct support to both the Assistant Director of Sustainability and the Director of Sustainability, helping ensure the smooth operation of day‑to‑day sustainability services and the development of long‑term initiatives.

The position directly oversees the day‑to‑day operations of the Eco‑Rep team, managing up to 10 student employees while building professional development opportunities and career‑connected experiences for UMass Lowell students. The Sustainability Coordinator supports reporting cycles, coordinates specialized recycling, manages surplus property listings, and ensures compliant and efficient sustainability operations across academic, research, and administrative spaces.

The position collaborates broadly with departments including Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, IT, Aramark Dining, and academic units. This position requires strong operational oversight, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while supporting university‑wide sustainability goals.

Sustainability Operations:

• Lead and support the Eco‑Rep team of up to 10 student employees, providing daily guidance, task assignment, and oversight. Maintain, update, and track service requests through multiple tracking systems.
• Oversee accumulation areas and warehouses for universal waste, electronics, and surplus furniture.
• Develop SOPs and training documentation for operational practices to ensure safety, compliance, and consistency. Lead the Satellite Accumulation Area project to ensure compliance with EPA hazardous waste regulations.
• Coordinate with the Project Management team on campus relocations, special projects, and space cleanouts. Advise on laboratory equipment recycling, reuse, and disposal across UMass Lowell laboratory environments.
• Conduct audits of current vendors for compliance, performance, and operational efficiency; research and evaluate prospective vendors.
• Develop and maintain tools, logs, and spreadsheets to track vendor performance, work order status, and operational metrics.
• Monitor and respond regularly to inquiries via the Sustainability department email account.
• Oversee departmental vehicle fleet use, scheduling, and maintenance.

Surplus Program and Asset Management:

• Manage the university’s Gov Deals surplus sales platform, including creating and posting listings and reviewing student‑submitted entries. Respond to buyer inquiries, coordinate pickups, and maintain timely communication with purchasers.
• Partner with Tech Services to list, manage, and process electronic equipment for surplus.
• Track invoices, payment status, and financial records.
• Support the generation of approximately $50,000 in revenue and $100,000+ in cost savings annually through surplus sales and reuse initiatives.
• Assign and oversee asset management tasks completed by the Eco‑Rep student team.
• Take on asset management tasks from the Assistant Director when appropriate to support operational continuity.

Reporting, Grants and External Funding:

• Support the identification of grant opportunities that align with university sustainability goals.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and preparing grant applications, proposals, budgets, and supporting documents.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to gather data, narratives, and project details for grant submissions.
• Track grant deadlines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and award cycles, including but not limited to AASHE STARS, MA LBE, and other state or institutional reporting obligations.

Programs and Engagement:

• Serve as Chair of the Bee Council, leading pollinator health initiatives and supporting AASHE…