Director, Sustainability Integration Office - Job Description, July 2008
Guides Middlebury College on the path of national leadership in campus sustainability
and environmental education. Assists the Dean of Environmental Affairs in the
development and implementation of strategic initiatives for Middlebury and its affiliates.
Creatively works within existing and develops new programs to promote innovations
towards environmental sustainability and create a community-wide culture of
environmental mindfulness. Develops relationships with other institutions, foundations,
government agencies and non-profits to advance mutual goals in campus sustainability.
Responsibilities
Works in collaboration with faculty, staff, student, administrators and campus
committees to continue existing programs and develops proposals to continue advancing
Middlebury's national leadership in campus sustainability and environmental education.
Reports to and accepts direction from supervisor, Dean of Environmental Affairs.
Works with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and campus committees to develop
and implement strategies for achieving carbon neutrality by 2016 including: energy
efficiency upgrades of existing buildings, use of renewable energy sources, fostering a
stronger culture of resource conservation and carbon reduction in purchasing and other
decisions, evaluation and use of carbon offset projects, identification of external funding
sources and writing proposals to support implementation of strategies.
Works with Dean of Environmental Affairs and other administrators to develop and
implement strategies that foster continuous improvement in the college’s capacity to
demonstrate national and international leadership in sustainability. Works with other
higher education institutions and others to foster collaborative partnerships that advance
and accelerate sustainability policies and practices in higher education.
Sustainability Management:
Acts as College's sustainability and environmental management consultant. Makes
recommendations to the College administration, Facilities, Dining Services, Purchasing,
the Environmental Council and other departments on campus regarding methods and
technologies to reduce waste, save energy, reduce carbon emissions, increase
environmental awareness and act in an environmentally responsible manner.
Works directly with Facilities and other departments to develop and implement
conservation projects in the management of the college and to coordinate common goals
and identify opportunities between different offices and departments and the College
community.
Assists in implementing technologies and new strategies into the environmental
management of the College.
Oversees an annual greenhouse gas inventory and report on the college’s carbon
footprint. Disseminates results and analysis of progress toward carbon neutrality.
Oversees a regular campus environmental audit, compiling information for and preparing
a "State of the College Environment" report. Disseminates report, celebrating
achievements and targeting weaknesses.
Consults with College safety/ environmental officer to assure that the institution is in
compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
Campus Outreach and Education:
Develops and implements programs to raise awareness and foster action by employees to
practice environmental stewardship and commitment to long-standing successful
programs like recycling and energy awareness.
Conducts an environmental orientation session for all new students during their College
orientation in September and February, and for new faculty and for staff throughout the
year in conjunction with Human Resources.
Organizes and leads the training of Residential Life staff and works closely with the
Commons on environment-related matters and in promoting environmental awareness
among the students.
Continually promotes campus environmental responsibility through various methods,
including presentations and demonstrations, dining hall table tents, college radio station,
The Campus newspaper, regular column in staff/faculty MiddPoints newsletter, list serve,
topic related chat page, updated web page and presence at events among other diverse
methods.
Prepares an annual fact sheet regarding the campus environment and writes a year-end
annual report.
Environmental Council and other committees
Acts as ex-officio member, vice-chair of the Environmental Council, a college standing
committee, consisting of faculty, staff and students which reports directly to the President
of the College.
Serves as administrator and project and grant coordinator of the Environmental Council.
Serves as staff support to Environmental Council subcommittees
Manages Environmental Council budget
Performs clerical duties related to the Environmental Council including recording and
distributing meeting minutes.
Sits on other College committees as needed. Currently serving on the following
committees:
- Master Plan Implementation Committee
- Carbon Neutrality Coordinating Team and related teams: Outreach and Communication,
Measurement and Reporting, and Master Plan Liaison Team
- Environmental Studies Steering Committee
- Ad Hoc Energy Procurement Team
External Relations Role in National Leadership:
Represents and shares Middlebury College's environmental, conservation and sustainable
campus efforts to larger society through means such as presentations at conferences and
other gatherings (requiring some travel), internet resources, by serving on local,
statewide, regional or national committees and by actively participating in related
networks outside the College.
Assists with identifying and preparing proposals for grants and proposals for prospective
donors.
Actively disseminates information about College's environmental advancements and
activities, including writing press releases and articles for publications, sending updates
to other institutions of higher education and to national organizations, maintaining an
informative and current web page and using other forms of communication for alumni,
the greater surrounding region and the national/international community in addition to the
College community.
Orchestrates conferences and workshops to disseminate information, educate the College
and broader community.
Recommends compatible ways in which the College and the greater community or
region's environmental goals can be achieved through partnership or cooperation.
Resources Service Provider:
Tracks relevant information and available resources, staying up to date with the rapidly
changing field through publications, memberships, electronic services as well as formal
and informal networks.
Provides resource material and information to faculty, staff and students on topics related
to their work and interests and to consultants or others outside the college upon request.
Sustainable design and environmentally responsible construction:
Provides current resources and information regarding sustainable building and design.
Works closely with the Facilities, architects, engineers and other college consultants
during the design and planning process, reviews plans and integrates green design
principles and building practices into all new construction and renovations on campus.
Works with Facilities Services Office to review and revise the Middlebury College
“LEED plus MC” guidelines on a regular basis.
Tracks new state and national green design standards and other innovations as this field
evolves.
Shares Middlebury's progress and success in this area widely.
Advises and Supports Class Projects
Works with Environmental Studies faculty and students on campus ecology and research
projects and labs for ES112, ES401, ECON 265, Winter term courses, independent
ES500 projects, theses and other courses.
Advises other environmental projects initiated by students and staff.
Supervises personnel
Supervises employees including Sustainability Outeach and Communications
Coordinator, fellows, student employees and environmental interns throughout the year
and during the summer.
Coordinates and oversees work by consultants.
Franklin Environmental Center
Conducts tours and educates prospective students, parents, alumni, donors, and interested
public groups on the College’s green building design principles and practices as
exemplified by the Franklin Environmental Center.
Helps advise and coordinate faculty and student projects related to the Franlklin
Environmental Center.
Prepares reports and disseminates information on the Franklin Environmental Center's
technological innovations.
Performs other duties as assigned to assist the department in obtaining and maintaining
its mission.
Education & Training
Master's degree in related field or demonstrated commensurate work experience required.
Experience
Five years of hands-on experience implementing environmental or sustainability
programs. Experience in academic setting preferred.
Knowledge
Should possess knowledge of sustainability theories and local, national and global
environmental initiatives.
Other
Must have excellent communication skills including writing, public speaking and
computing skills. Demonstrated writing skill required (sample). Ability to creatively
overcome obstacles. Skilled in working with diverse academic community. Able to
work independently, but is an excellent collaborator and team player. Can balance own
agenda with the goals of the group and the good of the institution while still providing
leadership. Possesses a good sense of humor, is flexible, and has ability to travel.