Sustainability Coordinator

Position Title & Department

Sustainability Coordinator;
Sustainability Office

5487

Our world faces increasingly complex and urgent challenges that affect our collective environmental, social and economic well-being. Responding to these challenges in a holistic manner is the essence of sustainability, and the University of San Diego recognizes its responsibility to be a part of the response.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background.

The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Reporting to the Director of Sustainability, this role administers sustainability-focused projects and programs to educate USD’s campus community about how it can contribute to helping the university achieve its environmental and sustainability goals. The Coordinator leads and supervises a team of student workers who support the implementation of the office’s projects and programs, in addition to working with a variety of university departments to implement and administer employee-facing programs to further support the university’s environmental goals.

The Coordinator is also responsible for supporting the administrative and daily operations of the Office of Sustainability, such as maintaining the office’s budget, performing routine financial management, and managing communications. To build subject matter expertise and gain new skill sets in the fields of sustainability, climate, and the environment, the Coordinator will be encouraged to obtain professional certifications and participate in training programs in the fields of sustainability, environmental management, and climate change.

• Collect, assess, and communicate sustainability/environmental-related data for internal and external reports (e.g., USD Climate Action Dashboard, AASHE STARS report, Office of Sustainability Annual Report, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories, and others), under the guidance of the Director.
• Support the development of USD’s Climate Action Plan.
• Research sustainability-related grant opportunities to support programs and projects at USD and coordinate grant applications and submissions.
• Partner with USD departments, campus organizations, and clubs to develop and implement programs to increase recycling, reduce waste, promote alternative transportation options, and reduce campus water use.
• Work closely with the Director to update and/or create new educational programming as needed.
• Oversee the Office of Sustainability’s budget.
• Serve as the office’s initial point of contact for the campus community.
• Update the office’s webpages on the USD website, and design materials (flyers, social media posts, posters, etc.) using Canva.
• Coordinate sustainability-related correspondence with the USD community and respond to feedback, questions, and suggestions, as appropriate.

• Support the Director in recruiting and hiring student office workers for Fall and Spring semesters.
• Supervise student workers and oversee their training and daily work, ensure timecards are kept current, and facilitate employee communications with USD departments, as required.
• Oversee and administer sustainability education programs and initiatives with the assistance of student workers such as the:
  • Green Office and Green Events Certification Programs;
  • Palomar Energy Project;
  • Employee Sustainability Education Program;
  • Student Sustainability Summit;
  • Earth Week events;
  • Social media and marketing outreach;
  • Monthly office…