Director of Sustainability

Administration and Finance

Job # 552515

Close Date: March 29, 2026

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,200 students of all backgrounds spread across 58 majors, 14 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job # 552515) Administrator II, Director of Sustainability, CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,053 – $16,221 per month, Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,053- $7,438 per month. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month, at-will position in the Department of Administration and Finance. This position is an Administrator II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml.

This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 15 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.humboldt.edu/hr/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

The Director of Sustainability will lead, manage, and oversee campus-wide sustainability programs, initiatives, and strategic efforts. This leadership role is responsible for developing and maintaining a campus culture of sustainability that aligns with CSU policies, state mandates, and the university’s unique polytechnic identity. The Director works closely with, and receives strategic direction from, the Vice President for Administration & Finance on major initiatives, policy development, and resource decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Sustainability Leadership – 25%

• Collaborates with executive leadership to cultivate a university-wide culture that reflects sustainability values and leads the campus through necessary change to achieve institutional sustainability goals in the context of the built, natural, and learning environments, and to advance a community that actively pursues environmental and social justice for the common good.
• Supports the development and implementation of a shared vision for sustainability, including strategies for responsible resource use and environmental impact reduction.
• Serves as the campus’ official Sustainability Officer within the CSU system and actively participates in CSU-wide, higher education, and community forums to advance the university’s sustainability leadership.
• Leads and/or serves as a key member of campus sustainability committees; coordinates their functions and acts as liaison to the University’s executive leadership team.

Planning, Development, and Oversight – 20%

• In coordination with the VP, plans, develops, manages, and oversees University sustainability programs, initiatives, and efforts through leadership and/or collaboration.
• In collaboration with executive leadership, develops and implements plans to meet California state and CSU requirements for climate action and resilience planning and greenhouse gas reductions.
• Works with university departments to develop and maintain the Campus Sustainability Plan and supports and monitors the implementation of its goals and initiatives in coordination with campus units.
• Integrates self-support and auxiliary sustainability efforts into the broader Campus Sustainability Plan and aligns efforts across divisions.
• Works with Facilities Management and Planning, Design & Construction to support green building practices and the application of sustainable design principles in new and existing infrastructure. The position will also ensure the application of sustainability in campus physical plan and project development including, but not limited to, mobility, landscapes, and zero waste.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners to identify and obtain grants and funding that strengthen campus sustainability efforts.

Student Engagement & Academic Collaboration – 20%

• Develops internship opportunities that provide hands-on experience in sustainability planning and implementation.
• Connects academic programs with operational sustainability needs and facilitates faculty-student collaboration on projects and research.
• Partners with academic departments to develop and distribute educational materials and programming related to sustainability.

Climate Action & Reporting – 10%

• Under the direction of the VP and in collaboration with Facilities Management, Institutional research, and other campus partners, oversees the development and publishing of the university’s annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
• Coordinates CSU sustainability reporting requirements and external assessments (e.g., AASHE STARS, SIMAP, Second Nature).
• Leads efforts toward carbon neutrality and long-term climate resilience for the campus.

Collaboration & Policy Development – 10%

• Works collaboratively with departments, student groups, and university units to develop and implement sustainable practices, policies, and procedures.
• Facilitates sustainability integration across all areas of the university’s planning and operations, including self-support and auxiliary organizations.
• Supports faculty-led sustainability research and projects and encourages integration into campus initiatives wherever possible.
• Ensures that attention and sensitivity to issues of inclusion, environmental justice, and Indigenous knowledge are central to collaborations, new initiatives, and policies.

Sustainability Communication & Outreach – 10%

• Develops and maintains strong internal and external relationships to support the university’s sustainability initiatives.
• Represents Cal Poly Humboldt at local, regional, and national conferences and forums on sustainability and climate action.
• Designs and implements campus-wide sustainability outreach programs and events, promoting awareness and participation.
• Oversees staff managing the university’s Sustainability websites, ensuring they are up to date and informative.
• Partners with Marketing & Communications to produce and disseminate sustainability materials and storytelling that reflect university achievements and goals.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

Required Knowledge:

Sustainability / Environmental Science / Climate Policy

• Understanding of climate change science, carbon accounting, greenhouse gas inventories
• Familiarity with environmental regulation (local, state, federal)
• Understanding of energy systems, renewable energy, efficiency, water, waste, and transportation systems

Policy, Planning & Governance

• Strategic planning (especially long-range, multi-decade sustainability or climate plans)
• Policy development and implementation (procurement, travel, operations, construction, investment)
• Knowledge of public policy frameworks and incentives (e.g. California climate laws, incentives, grants)

Stakeholder Engagement & Community / Indigenous Relations

• Understanding of community-based sustainability, local government partnerships, regional planning
• Knowledge of tribal sovereignty, indigenous land management, and Indigenous knowledge systems
• Equity, environmental justice, inclusion frameworks

Metrics, Reporting & Assessment Systems

• Familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks (e.g. AASHE STARS)
• Experience in data collection, analysis, metrics, benchmarking, dashboards
• Monitoring & evaluation of sustainability initiatives

Organizational Leadership & Change Management

• Knowledge of leading organizational change, culture shift, behavioral change approaches
• Understanding of how to embed sustainability in more traditional/non-sustainability domains

Required Skills

Strategic Thinking & Visioning

• Ability to conceive long-term goals, set priorities, and align initiatives with the university’s mission
• Capability to foresee risks, opportunities, and future trends in sustainability

Project & Program Management

• Ability to plan, budget, schedule, coordinate, and execute multiple sustainability projects
• Risk management, resource allocation, timeline control

Analytical & Quantitative Skills

• Data analysis (spreadsheet modeling, statistical tools)
• Carbon / energy / water modeling, life cycle assessment (LCA)
• Ability to interpret technical reports and convert them into actionable plans

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication: reports, presentations, grant proposals
• Ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical audiences (students, faculty, staff, leadership)
• Facilitation and consensus-building across diverse stakeholder groups

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervisory skills: hiring, mentoring, performance management
• Ability to lead cross-departmental teams and committees
• Capability to motivate, influence, and build capacity in others

 

Required Abilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive sustainability plan
• Influence institutional change across divisions (facilities, academics, student affairs)
• Balance competing demands (e.g. cost, feasibility, sustainability goals)
• Operate at both strategic and operational levels
• Build partnerships (internally and externally)
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and sustainability trends
• Ensure compliance with environmental/social regulations
• Translate sustainability into measurable outcomes
• Facilitate consensus, mediate conflicts, bring stakeholders to alignment
• Inspire campus community engagement and behavior change

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Sustainability, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience Minimum: At least five years of progressively responsible leadership in sustainability, climate action, environmental planning, or a related area.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred Knowledge:

Sustainability / Environmental Science / Climate Policy

• Knowledge of climate adaptation / resilience strategies of sustainable building design / green building standards (LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, etc.)
• Knowledge of ecological systems, land management, native species, habitat protection, ecosystem services

Higher Education / Campus Operations

• How universities work: campus planning, facilities, infrastructure, academic integration
• Experience with campus utilities, energy, grounds, waste, dining, transportation
• Understanding the interplay between academic units, student life, facilities, finance, and administration

Policy, Planning & Governance

• Grant writing, funding mechanisms, and external finance for sustainability initiatives

Preferred Skills:

Negotiation, Persuasion & Advocacy

• Skills to negotiate with internal (departments, finance) and external (vendors, regulators, agencies) stakeholders
• Advocacy to secure funding, institutional buy-in, and policy adoption

Grant Writing / Fundraising / Resource Development

• Ability to identify external funding sources, write competitive proposals
• Cultivate donors, public/private partnerships, foundation relationships

Technical / Systems Integration

• Ability to integrate sustainability into existing systems — e.g. procurement, IT, construction, maintenance
• Knowledge of building automation, energy management systems, sensor networks, smart systems

Adaptability / Problem Solving

• Ability to respond to evolving challenges (climate events, regulatory changes, budgets)
• Creative problem-solving and innovation

Budgeting & Financial Acumen

• Understanding of budgets, cost-benefit analysis, return on investment

Financial modeling for sustainable infrastructure

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three supervisory references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on March 29, 2026.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 3312
Publication Date: February 26, 2026