Description

Mandate:
The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability (OCPS) leads campus land use planning and advances climate and sustainability across the university in support of its mission, strategic priorities, and research and teaching needs.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Climate and Sustainability, the Sustainability Reporting Specialist leads and provides mentorship for institutional greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and reporting, supports and advances the university’s climate and sustainability performance systems, and contributes to data governance as it relates to sustainability reporting and reputational frameworks. Operating with a high degree of independence, the position ensures that institutional GHG and sustainability performance data are credible, consistent, and fit for regulatory compliance, public reporting, and institutional decision-making. The position is anchored in mandatory legislated reporting requirements such as the BC Carbon Neutral Government (CNG) program, which includes preparing the annual Climate Change Accountability Report (CCAR), as well the position is responsible for advancing and reporting on broader institutional commitments outlined in the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP).
The position works with colleagues in the Vice President Portfolio Finance and Operations and across the university to develop standardized processes for collecting, managing, reporting, visualizing, and analyzing data on a wide range of projects. The position leads and contributes to initiatives that strengthen data quality and integrates sustainability performance into campus operations, planning and decision-making.
The role translates complex sustainability and greenhouse gas data into communication materials that supports training activities, and advising senior leadership on risk, regulatory change, and performance outcomes. This is accomplished through data storytelling and visualization to build awareness, capacity, and a culture of sustainability at UVic.
This work requires a high degree of accuracy and integrity as it directly influences the university's legislated compliance, public accountability, external reputation and rankings, and the planning and capital decisions that depend on reliable emissions data.

Objectives:

The position is accountable for the following:
Maintain a reliable and audit-ready greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory that meets regulatory requirements and can withstand external review.
Deliver accurate and timely sustainability reports, including the Climate Change Accountability Report (CCAR), the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS), and other external submissions.
Establish and manage consistent, well-governed sustainability performance data that can be used to support reporting and decision-making.
Advance the OCPS service plan and reoccurring priorities by collaboratively working across departments and integrating data into planning and operational decisions.
Provide senior leaders with clear, decision-ready insights on climate and sustainability gaps, risks and opportunities through consistent sustainability performance reporting.

The role works under fixed external reporting deadlines set by provincial legislation and program requirements that cannot be adjusted and requires sustained periods of detailed analytical concentration. The position contributes to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at UVic by supporting inclusive approaches to sustainability data, engagement, and decision-making.

Requirements

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in environmental studies, sustainability, environmental science, business, public administration, geography, statistics, engineering, or a related field plus five years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming working and learning environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting methodologies and to interpret and apply evolving regulatory and reporting requirements, including the GHG Protocol and the BC Carbon Neutral Government program, preferably within the post-secondary sector.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to and support data governance across multiple operational units and to manage data from multiple sources, ensuring it is accurate, reliable, and useful for institutional decision-making.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate complex data issues, identify root causes, and develop practical, defensible solutions where established guidance may be limited or unavailable.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, pivot tables, formulas, data validation, and reporting tools, with the ability to synthesize and interpret large datasets.
Proficiency with data analysis, business intelligence, and visualization tools such as Power BI, and the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
Proficiency in presentation and visual communication tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint and/or Canva, with the ability to create clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate presentations, reports, and other communication materials.
Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and/or other graphic design software is considered an asset.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior leadership and to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation, including writing briefing materials for senior executives.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgment within legislative, policy, and program frameworks.
Ability to apply project management best practices to coordinate and manage multiple projects, tasks and competing priorities, ensuring project goals are achieved on time and within fixed external reporting deadlines.
Ability to collaborate, build, and maintain positive relationships with diverse individuals and to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Commitment to embedding inclusive and culturally responsive approaches to engagement, data interpretation, and decision-making.
Ability to facilitate shared understanding across disciplines, roles, and ways of knowing.

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Sustainability Reporting Specialist