Program Associate

Program Associate

The Institute for Sustainability Engagement (ISE) seeks a skilled and dynamic Program Associate to support the implementation of sponsored programs funded by the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY-ESF, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others. Grant focuses include sustainable materials management (i.e., waste reduction, reuse, and recycling), natural resources management, environmental sustainability, climate change, and environmental finance.

The Program Associate will lead efforts for NYS communities and Native Nations to help advance the adoption of SMM solutions, especially those related to recycling stream contamination reduction, waste reduction and reuse, and outreach and education. Tasks will include but are not limited to providing technical assistance, developing tools and resources, facilitating professional and community groups, conducting outreach and engagement, and grant writing.

This is a 40-hour per week, year-round position. This is a remote position and periodic travel throughout NYS will be required. The Program Associate will report to the Institute's Program Manager.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, natural resources management, sustainability, or closely related focus, and at least two years of experience working in the field(s) of waste reduction, sustainable materials management, natural resources management, environmental education, sustainable development, and/or environmental consulting.

Skills and Knowledge:

Required skills:

Meeting planning and facilitation; written communication; outreach and engagement; interpersonal communication; time/task management; systems thinking; survey methods; and grant writing. Required knowledge:
Sustainable materials management concepts (e.g., waste reduction, reuse, and recycling); recycling stream contamination reduction; organics recycling (e.g., composting) systems; recycling system infrastructure; sustainable community development strategies; and environmental communication best practices.

Responsibilities:
Co-lead outreach for programs, projects, activities, and tasks related to environmental/community sustainability and sustainable materials management (SMM). Manage initiatives of communications team, including student design interns, to develop content for communications such as websites, social media accounts, press releases, informational flyers, e-newsletters, and annual reports. Develop, facilitate, and promote technical assistance and training opportunities for key stakeholders in rural and urban communities to advance SMM throughout NY and PR.

Promote SMM-related resources, tools, educational materials, and other critical outputs and deliverables. Facilitate statewide stakeholder groups including scheduling meetings, facilitating communications and reminders, taking meeting notes, and managing group-related documents (e.g., Recycle Right NY Stakeholders Group). Co-lead the coordination of events and meetings related to SMM including planning, logistics, promotion, facilitation, and follow-up. Incorporate experiential knowledge, current scientific research, and up-to-date industry best practices into SMM activities, outputs, products, and deliverables.

Advance the mission and vision of ISE, the Institute, by leading grant-funded environmental and community focused projects throughout U.S. EPA Region 2 (i.e., New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight native nations). Incorporate approaches to all Institute-related work that strive for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Collaborate with Institute's Program Managers and Directors with assessing and continually improving the environmental, social, and economic services it provides to NY and PR communities and beyond.

Foster the development of professional skills, expertise and knowledge, and career goals of the Institute's project assistants and student interns through mentorship and by cultivating an inclusive and supportive work environment. Support and strengthen synergistic relationships in NY that enhance the Institute's capacity and programming and that benefit its partners and stakeholders and their communities. Develop and implement feedback mechanisms for project partners, stakeholders, and audiences served by Institute projects and programs.

Utilize program evaluation methods and metrics to assess successes, impacts, and opportunities for improvement for Institute projects and programs. Identify new funding opportunities for NYS programming related to environmental/community sustainability, SMM, and sustainable organics management. Conceptualize innovative and effective projects related to SMM and sustainable organics management and integrate them by writing grant proposal applications for future funding opportunities. Develop quarterly reports for grant-funded projects and activities including work conducted, grant…