Job description
Department:
Estate and Facilities Management (E&FM)
Location:
Exion Building, with 1 day a week in Marketing & Communications,
Mithras House
Job title:
Environmental Officer (Environmental Management Systems and
Behaviour Change)
Post number:
ES5098
Grade:
6
Responsible to:
Environmental Manager
Responsible for:
Project Assistant: Sustainable Behaviour
Main areas of
responsibility:
The principal role of the Environmental Officer (Environmental
Management System and Behaviour Change) is to support the
Environmental Manager on all aspects of environmental and
sustainability policy and strategy.
The post holder will be responsible for managing a number of key
work-streams to ensure that the university’s environment and
sustainability policies and strategies are successfully implemented.
The post holder will also ensure the delivery of the university’s
Environmental Policy across the operational elements of the
university, with primary focus on the delivery of the university wide
Environmental Management System (EMS) and Behaviour Change
Communications.
More specifically, the post holder will:
1. Take the lead role in the development and implementation of the
university’s Environmental Management System (EMS) across all its
sites.
2. Take the lead role in managing all environmental communications
across the university’s estate in partnership with the university’s
Internal Communications Team in Marketing and Communications;
with primary focus on the carbon reduction behaviour-change
programme.
3. Assist in the implementation of agreed initiatives for environmental
improvements and carbon reduction across the university.
4. Recruit and manage the Project Assistant: Sustainable Behaviour.
5. Support, as needed, other University of Brighton, Estate & Facilities
Management Environment team activities.
Page 1 of 7
Specific duties:
1. Take the lead role in the development and implementation of the
university’s Environmental Management System (EMS) across all
its sites.
1.1 Take the lead role in the development and implementation of the
university’s Environmental Management System (EMS) across all
sites in accordance with the EcoCampus methodology and to include
the following key areas (list not exhaustive):
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Biodiversity;
Community involvement;
Construction & refurbishment;
Emissions & discharges;
Energy & water;
Health, safety & welfare;
Sustainable procurement;
Transport (including the University Travel Plan); and
Waste management.
1.2 Develop, implement and maintain EMS compliant systems,
procedures and processes for the activities described in 1.1 above
(e.g. Waste Management Strategy, Construction & Refurbishment,
Codes for university buildings).
1.3 Working in collaboration with the Environmental Manager, provide
specialist advice and recommendations to support the implementation
of the EMS, and contribute towards the development of departmental
and university wide policies and strategies for its implementation.
1.4 Liaise with relevant parties within E&FM and across the wider
university community to ensure a systematic and coordinated
approach is adopted, and provide specialist environmental and
technical advice and recommendations as necessary to ensure the
successful implementation of the system.
1.5 Act as the main point of contact for the plan, and promote the concept,
development and ongoing commitment to the EMS amongst the
university’s staff, students and contractors by designing and
implementing effective marketing and communications in partnership
with the Internal Communications Team.
1.6 Co-ordinate the regular monitoring and assessing of the EMS’s
implementation and success levels in order to amend any factors
which need addressing to ensure that targets are met.
1.7 Be aware of specialized Environmental Management Systems –
particularly within the Higher Education sector - and any advances in
them in order to develop best practice.
1.8 Create and maintain EMS related documentation, including, but not
limited to:
 EMS Manual.
 Legal and Other Requirements Register.
 Impacts and Aspects Register.
 Communications Logs for the Environment Team.
 Training Logs for the Environment Team.
 Mapping of procedures across the university (both operational and
emergency).
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2. Take the lead role in managing all environmental
communications across the university’s estate, in partnership
with the university’s Internal Communications Team in Marketing
& Communications; with primary focus on the carbon reduction
behaviour-change programme.
2.1 Work in the Internal Communications Team in Marketing &
Communications for one day each week and ensure that
environmental communications are planned and implemented in
alignment with the internal communications strategy for staff and
students, and the university’s profile and brand. Via Internal
Communications, consult the university’s in-house design team as
required.
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2.2 Manage the behaviour change campaign for reducing carbon at the
university and liaise with stakeholders to ensure understanding and
delivery of the university’s targets and internal standards.
2.3 Analyse and report on carbon reduction data (energy consumption
and CO2 production) for inclusion within the university’s corporate
reporting structure to support the management and committee
decision making process.
2.4 Analyse and report on a monthly basis staff and student engagement
with the behaviour change campaign (KPIs to include (but not be
limited to) awareness of campaign, number of champions, number of
active champions, number of hits on website).
2.5 Monitor and report on the carbon reduction data and staff and student
involvement and liaise with E&FM, M&C and other members of the
Sustainability Communications Group to identify and act on
opportunities for improvement.
2.6 Sit on the Carbon Management Programme Board (CMPB - which has
oversight for all areas of operational sustainability at the university);
co-ordinate the production of regular reports for the CMPB; and
compile an annual report on the progress of the behavior change
campaign in relation to the targets set out in the Carbon Management
Plan.
2.7 Undertake periodic internal audits to ensure that the university’s
behaviour change campaign is meeting its objectives.
2.8 In partnership with Internal Communications:
i) Write and implement communication plans for all areas of the
Environment Team’s work, including one off events and prolonged
campaigns.
ii) Offer expert advice to other members of the Environment Team as
to how best communicate their messages, including, but not limited to,
waste and recycling, travel and transport and carbon management.
iii) Offer advice to members of the Environment Team on the forms of
communications to use with different target audiences, suggesting
channels based upon reach, depth, cost effectiveness and ability to
evaluate the impact.
iv) Lead on the evaluation of communications campaigns from all
areas of the Environment Team’s workstreams.
2.9 Manage and continually monitor the performance of any internal and
external contractors/suppliers associated with the carbon reduction
behaviour change campaign.
3. Assist in the implementation of agreed initiatives for
environmental improvements and carbon reduction across the
university.
3.1 Coordinate the university’s biodiversity work across all campuses,
working with colleagues from across the university to prioritise,
manage, communicate and evaluate biodiversity improvements across
the estate, and manage the biodiversity budget for this area of work.
3.2 To assist the environmental team in identifying potential energy and
carbon saving measures, carrying out detailed cost analysis and
producing clear reports and business cases with financial appraisal
and recommendations and to formulate proposals for an investment
programme.
3.3 To assist in the implementation of approved energy conservation
projects to include the production of specifications and tender
documentation and supervision of contracts.
3.4 To liaise with the wider university community from across the
university to coordinate the annual Green Week activities, including
event planning, communications and evaluation frameworks for the
key environmental messages of the campaign.
3.5 To support the management team within E&FM to ensure integration
of energy and environmental priorities within the delivery of planned,
reactive and major maintenance replacement programmes.
4. Recruit and manage the Project Assistant: Sustainable
Behaviour.
4.1 Have responsibility for the day to day management of the Project
Assistant: Sustainable Behaviour.
4.2 Maintain a partnership relationship with Change Agents UK, the
agency supplying training for the Project Assistant: Sustainable
Behaviour, working on an annual basis to agree the training; outlining
roles and responsibilities for each involved party.
4.3 Manage annual recruitment, induction, training and development of
the Project Assistant: Sustainable Behaviour.
5. To support as needed other University of Brighton, Estate &
Facilities Management Environment team activities.
5.1 The role is a full member of the Estate & Facilities Management
Environment team and the post holder will be required to contribute to
the planning and implementation of all environmental services
provided by the section.
5.2 Planning and delivering termly and annual team planning meetings to
facilitate team planning for up to a year ahead.
Selection criteria: The criteria below indicate the qualities that are needed to do the job
well. Candidates will be selected according to the extent to which they
satisfy these criteria. Evidence of potential will also be considered.
Most of the criteria must normally be met in order to qualify for
selection.
Essential:
Education /
Qualifications and
Training:
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A good first degree in environmental management or
environmental science, or significant experience in environmental
issues;
Evidence of relevant ongoing CPD training (with particular focus
on EMS, legislation and communication).
Experience:
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Knowledge / Skills:
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Communication:
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Experience in a similar role working in / advising a complex
organisation successfully embedding sustainability into their
activities;
Implementing / operating effective ISO14001 certified systems or
equivalent EMS;
Successful project management including management of
contractors / suppliers;
Proven track record working within a large organisation with many
different stakeholder groups;
Evidence of driving successful organisational culture change;
Proven track record in communicating complex information
through a range of different channels and mediums;
Developing innovative and successful communication strategies.
Able to demonstrate broad expert knowledge of operational
sustainability impacts and management of these for a university
estate;
Thorough knowledge of Environmental Management Systems and
well developed auditing skills;
Up to date knowledge of current and pending environmental
legislation and best practice in environmental management;
High level of familiarity and experience with Behaviour Change
theory and practices;
Able to generate innovative ideas and seize opportunities
presented by wider change processes.
Exemplary communication skills, both written and verbal;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the
capacity to engage and persuade a wide range of stakeholders at
all levels of the university and build up strong relationships and
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Personal
Characteristics /
Other Requirements
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Technical Skills:
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Physical:
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Desirable:
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networks;
Has experience of working with different communications
channels, including website management, social media and in situ
communication methods;
Understands the information needs of others taking in to account
the nature of what is to be communicated and the best way to
convey information to others;
Able to communicate complex information, including, but not
limited to, procedures, processes and behavioral change
messages, using the most appropriate method of communication,
listens well and understands the needs of others.
Strategic thinker and problem solver; able to plan ahead to ensure
goals, objectives and strategies are met;
Practical and self-motivated but able to work in team environment;
Can demonstrate commitment to colleagues, team objectives and
partnership working opportunities;
Can build effective working relationships with a diversity of
individuals and groups (e.g. colleagues, senior managers,
students);
Able to recruit, manage and develop staff who can meet
objectives;
Able to prioritise time and resources to meet workload;
Innovative and practical approach to problem solving;
Approachable and personable with a customer focused approach;
Methodical approach and attention to detail;
Committed and passionate about sustainability issues and able to
inspire and persuade others;
Committed to continuous professional development.
Excellent computer skills, including the ability to provide reports,
carry out accurate data analysis, produce presentation material
and contribute to maintaining external and internal webpages,
SharePoint, social media;
Appreciation of evolving technologies and their application in
relation to communications;
Able to learn new technology rapidly and continuously.
Able to use display screen equipment extensively and in
accordance with health and safety guidelines;
Able to undertake frequent travel to a variety of external locations
and any other physical requirements of the job in accordance with
health and safety guidelines.
Postgraduate qualification in a relevant topic;
Associate membership of the Institute of Environmental
Management and Assessment;
IEMA Lead auditing course or equivalent training / auditing
experience;
An appreciation of the issues involved in dealing with multi-site
operations;
Experience in using Adobe Suite including Illustrator and
Photoshop.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties
may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of
responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of
themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Ref:
EFM/AD October 2014