General Summary of Position:
Reporting to and under the guidance of the Senior Executive Director of the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, Climate Tech, and Economic Development, the Director of Sustainability supports the university's commitment to sustainability initiatives and programs that reduce environmental impacts, improve efficiency of the University’s operations, and promote UMass Lowell to external partners interested in collaboration and engagement across the wide spectrum of sustainability initiatives at the university. Engagement with student employees and the wider student body at UMass Lowell is a key requirement for this position.
This position will leverage relationships with a wide variety of state partner organizations including but not limited to MassCEC, MassEEA, MassEOED, and MassDOT. Leveraging these relationships and successfully receiving and executing sustainability focused grant funding are essential requirements for this position.
In addition to campus and government partnerships, the position will plan and execute a broad-based community engagement effort for sustainability initiatives that will produce new opportunities for faculty research and engaged learning and work locations for students.
The Director will also provide staff support and advance the goals of the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy. This support includes but is not limited to on-campus student organizations, UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative, Center for Energy Innovation, and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production.
The position also coordinates and monitors UMass Lowell’s core sustainability and compliance reporting requirements including but not limited to AASHE STARS reporting, UMass System Annual Reporting, and required sustainability reporting to state agencies such as MassDEP and MassDOER. Understanding of asset management and surplus operations a plus.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
- Bachelors degree in planning, environmental sciences, sustainability or equivalent; Masters degree in these fields is desirable
- Minimum five years (Bachelors) or 2-3 years (Masters) of experience in sustainability or planning program development and implementation and an understanding of compliance with regulations at all levels
- Require strong working knowledge of Sustainability and associated data and metrics
- Strong communications skills
- Grant writing skills essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, cooperatively and collaboratively and with a proven philosophy of service
- Must be committed to professional growth
Additional Considerations:
Technology Skills:
- Must be proficient in technology use; database development, querying, word processing, spreadsheet development, using Microsoft Office to accomplish work related tasks as required
- Demonstrated ability to perform Internet or library research to synthesize technical and regulatory information for decision making
- Must be capable of learning and developing data collection templates using excel, PDF files and web platforms. Web development skills desired
- Demonstrated ability to administer and monitor various awarded contracts and monitor, workers, contractors and vendors for effectiveness and thoroughness
- The ability to work effectively with diverse groups
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with LEED, STARS and carbon reporting preferred
- Masters degree preferred
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P20.
Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required at the time of application.
