Sustainability Specialist, OES

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) provides resources and programs to improve building and resource efficiency, addressing environmental issues and social inequities to support lasting change. The collaborative team manages numerous programs across nearly 1,600 schools and 1,500 buildings that foster stakeholder engagement, climate action, and optimize operations to reduce environmental impact.

The Office of Energy & Sustainability (OES) works with school based stakeholders, central NYCPS Offices, non-profit partners, and other City agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste and maximize waste diversion, and support the connection of climate and sustainability leadership and action to staff and students. The mission focused Office supports a variety of ambitious, City aligned sustainability and climate goals and Mayoral initiatives.

The Sustainability Specialist Team, formed in 2015, works with school stakeholders, central NYCPS Offices and non-profit partners to improve school building environments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, maximizing waste diversion, and supporting green spaces. They work to empower school communities through inclusive and equitable engagement and create meaningful learning experiences for all stakeholders.

Sustainability Specialists advise on operational and educational components of several Office programs with a focus on site specific solutions, capacity building, and stakeholder awareness and training. They collect, track, and synthesize data to develop and implement operational and educational engagement. Incumbents also fulfill general office duties, collaborate on team projects, and participate in trainings/events in addition to field based outreach and support.

Performs related work.

Reports to: Outreach Manager

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Director of Sustainability, OES Sustainability and Energy Team members, school based Sustainability Coordinators and Green Team members, Custodian Engineers, Deputy Directors of Facilities, Teachers, Students, cleaners, school administration, school based Sustainability Coordinators, Office of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) staff, Office of Sustainability Partners, community based organizations, and other government (e.g. DSNY) and non-government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Conducts outreach/engagement for sustainability programs across all NYCPS schools and serves as a resource to schools for sustainability programs, policies, and education.
• Tracks and reports on programmatic implementation, outreach, and impacts and conducts site visits to coordinate school sustainability efforts and troubleshoot issues.
• Liaises with relevant stakeholders on staff development, student education/engagement and building wide integration of sustainability practices and programs.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of NYCPS sustainability policies and procedures, including Chancellor’s Regulation A-850, as well as relevant local laws.
• Using Central systems, tracks and reports effectiveness of programmatic outreach, policy and program engagement and implementation, and equitable resource distribution; collects data and information on school and district based impacts.
• Provides technical assistance and workshops aligned with OE&S core programs; develops materials, presentations, collateral, and partnerships.
• Engages with school stakeholders to support school/site specific sustainability initiatives; conducts training and engagement sessions; provides technical support to Facilities staff; provides educational support to pedagogical staff.
• Aids in the integration of recycling/waste management systems and compliance throughout NYCPS; provides customer service to schools on waste management systems and…