PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Sustainability Coordinator Position Profile

This position leads, organizes, and implements the City’s sustainability initiatives in alignment with the City’s Climate Action goals. The individual in this role is responsible for developing and managing programs, policies, and projects that advance environmental sustainability across City operations and the community. This includes providing expertise in project management, data analysis, and strategic planning to support key initiatives. The position serves as the primary point of contact for citywide sustainability efforts, collaborates with internal departments and external stakeholders, monitors progress toward climate goals, and identifies opportunities for innovation and improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and coordinate City efforts related to the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

• Serve as the Staff Liaison to the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC).

• Coordinate the implementation of the City’s Zero Waste Plan, including waste reduction initiatives, recycling program enhancements, and community education campaigns.

• Develop and administer programs, initiatives, policies, and procedures aligned with the City’s Climate Action goals.

• Conduct research and complete special assignments, including investigating, analyzing, and preparing reports with sound recommendations for presentation to the City Council, EQC, and other advisory bodies.

• Collaborate with internal departments to integrate sustainability and resilience strategies into City operations, capital projects, contracts, and procurement practices.

• Prepare Climate Action Plan update reports and presentations for City Council, the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC), community meetings, and other public forums.

• Coordinate with community partners to advance the City’s Climate Action goals.

• Monitor and report on B3 Energy Benchmarking data for all city buildings, including data entry, tracking, and utilization for performance improvement.

• Serve as the City’s GreenStep Cities Coordinator, developing work plans and tracking progress to maintain or improve Northfield’s recognition as a step 5 City.

• Stay informed about relevant federal, state, and local regulations as it relates to sustainability; analyze policy changes and advise staff on implications and opportunities.

• Identify, apply for, and manage grants related to environmental and sustainability initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
•Provides excellent customer service to all members of our community, inclusive of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, ages, national or ethnic origins, languages, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, and political affiliations.

•Ability to establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships with city personnel and the general public; maintains professional demeanor, tone, and conversations in all public areas of the city.

•A general understanding of municipal government, community planning, climate related issues, sustainable practices and policies; and the ability to interpret other technical information

•Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, be detail-oriented, meet deadlines, retain confidentiality, and work effectively under pressure

•The ability to effectively communicate clearly and concisely, orally, geographically and in writing, to large and small groups.

•Familiarity with energy efficiency, waste reduction, renewable energy systems, green building practices

•Ability to build and maintain cross-functional partnerships across departments, agencies, and community organizations.

•Ability to analyze policies and ordinances and recommend sustainability oriented improvements or updates

•Skilled in data analysis and visualization using tools like Excel, GIS or data dashboard platforms (e.g.,B3)

•Adept at community outreach and education, including workshop facilitation, public speaking, and engagement strategies.

•Strong understanding of climate action planning, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, and experience with sustainability metrics, performance indicators, and tracking tools.

MINIMUM TRAINING / MINIMUM & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in sustainability, environmental policy, climate planning, or a related area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Professional working proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, speaking, listening, and writing.
Master’s degree preferred. Experience with data research, analysis, and ability to effectively communicate results in large and small group settings.

HOURS OF WORK

40 hours per week. City Hall work hours are scheduled for business purposes/project coverage, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Early morning, late day and evening meetings, as assigned. Timely reporting to work with a minimum number of absences. This position is eligible for hybrid telecommuting work.

The Environmental Quality Commission meets on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month, meeting begins at 6:00pm.

Data Practices Advisory

The information requested on the application is necessary, either to identify you or to assist in determining your suitability for the position for which you are applying. You may legally refuse, but refusal to supply the requested information will mean that your application for employment may not be considered.

Information requested on your application that is defined by State Statute as public may be released on request and includes job history, education and training, rank on our eligibility list, relevant test scores, veteran’s status, and work availability.

Your name is private except when you are certified as eligible for appointment to a vacancy or selected as a finalist for the position. Certain other information requested on your application is private and may be released only to you or to governmental entities authorized access by law (MS 13.02, Subd. 12). Private data contained above:

NAME: Used to identify you in relation to other applicants.

LOCAL/PERMANENT ADDRESS/HOME TELEPHONE: Used to contact you regarding your application’s status. You are not legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in a delay in processing or notifying you of your application’s status.

LICENSE INFORMATION: Used to certify applicants for position where State law requires appropriate license. You are legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in your rejection as an applicant for these positions.

AGE RANGE: Used to accurately certify applicants for certain types of work according to State law. You are legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of your application.

CITIZENSHIP STATUS: Used to certify applicants for work in the United States as determined by laws of the United States Department of Labor and the State of Minnesota. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of your application.

EMPLOYMENT: If you are selected for employment with the City, the following additional information about you will be public: your name; actual gross salary and salary range; contract fees; actual gross pension; the value and nature of your fringe benefits; the basis for and the amount of any added remuneration, such as expenses or mileage reimbursement, in addition to your salary; your job title; job description; the dates of your first and last employment with the City; the status of any complaints or charges against you while at work; the final outcome of any disciplinary action taken against you, specific reasons for it, and all supporting documentation about your case; terms of any agreement settling administrative or judicial proceedings; your work location and work telephone number; your badge number, if any; honors/awards received; and payroll time sheets. Information not listed as public, which is maintained as part of your personnel record, is private, and will not be shared with anyone but those members of our staff and appointing authorities whose work assignment requires access, those persons authorized by law to have access, and those persons to whom you have given your informed written consent. Examples, but not an exclusive listing, of those authorized by law to have access to personnel data include labor organizations to the extent they need it in the conduct of normal business as your representative, insurance providers, City contractors whose contracts require access (e.g., the City Attorney or insurance claims adjuster), Public Employees Retirement Association, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, State Department of Employment and Security and any other entity authorized by law. Personnel data will be disclosed as required by a court order or for the purposes of wage attachments, and as may be required by any State or Federal law subsequently enacted. For further information refer to MN Statutes Ch. 13.

City of Northfield

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Sustainability Coordinator