WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the AVP of Facilities Services, the Sustainability Manager works closely with students, staff, and faculty to further sustainability efforts across campus and manages the initiatives and operations of the Sustainability Department.

The role serves as the primary resource for all College sustainability initiatives, as well as the College’s sustainability liaison to external stakeholders. The Manager assists departments with the integration of sustainable practices and energy-saving measures in their day-to-day operations and collaborates on long-term sustainability strategies for Whitman College.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Develop, plan, and administer programs, initiatives and events related to sustainability in coordination with other community organizations and College divisions, departments, and student organizations.
Supervise staff, student assistant and interns in Whitman College’s Sustainability Department.
Act as staff liaison and advisor to student organizations, ensuring collaboration on sustainability initiatives, programs, and projects.
Oversee the College's recycling program and zero-waste initiatives. Assist in managing energy and sustainability projects and campus energy management programs.
Maintain College utility records, analyze data, and provide emissions reports. Collaborate with utility providers to optimize pricing and schedules for meeting sustainability goals.
Manage the maintenance and development of campus renewable energy systems and sub-metering in collaboration with Facilities Services.
Chair the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee (PSAC), working closely with the committee to implement the Campus Sustainability Plan and advocate for College-wide sustainability goals.
Support the development and management of the Energy Renewal Development and Decarbonization Plan (ERDP).
Manage the College's Bike Share program and promote alternative transportation methods to reduce emissions.
Develop sustainability awareness and educational programs for the campus and surrounding community.
Develop regular reports and educational material related to student, staff, and faculty commuting and transportation. Assess the College’s transportation needs and emissions. Work with departments, the motor pool, and Facilities Services to address resource conservation in relation to transportation.
Develop and implement new sustainability awareness and education programs for campus and community.
Serve as the College's sustainability representative to various organizations, such as the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Coalition, and manage reporting to entities like AASHE STARS and the EPA Green Power Partnership.
Pursue grant and resource development opportunities for sustainability projects.
Collaborate on campus construction projects to align with the Campus Sustainability Plan.
Coordinate the Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund and support decarbonization strategies.
Oversee the Sustainability Department’s communications and social media channels, producing periodic progress reports.
Develop long-term goals and performance metrics for the College’s sustainability efforts, providing regular evaluation and reporting.
Manage the EcoReps peer-to-peer education program, overseeing recruitment, training, and ongoing support for student leaders promoting sustainability across campus.
Independently research best practices and compile data to prepare reports that require thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and activities.
Serve as essential personnel, meaning duties are essential to the operations of the College and may require that the position report to campus for work even during full or partial closures.
May be required to work occasional evenings and/or weekends.
May be required to travel off-campus for events, meetings, and other activities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

Knowledge of:

Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
Advanced principles and practices in resource conservation and sustainability;
Supervisory principles;
Utilities, facilities maintenance and operations infrastructure;
LEED standards as related to new and renovation construction in facilities;
Budgeting principles and practices;
Analytical methods and techniques;
Higher Education and student services;
Strategic planning principles; and
Project management principles and practices.

Skill in:

Public speaking and presentation;
Utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities;
Microsoft Office, web-development, and database management; and
Organizational skills.

Ability to:

Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; use oral persuasion and written mediums allowing for open dialogue to occur;
Positively and actively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism;
Interpret, analyze and evaluate complex problems to successfully recognize and define solutions; and
Operate and utilize various social media platforms, and an ability to learn new software as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in a sustainability-related discipline AND a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
Experience implementing sustainability initiatives at a college or university, business, governmental agency or similar public or private institution.
Experience preparing Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) submittals, GHG inventories and related Carbon/Climate Commitment reports, or similar sustainability-related surveys and periodic reports. This may include regulatory reporting.
Administrative and organizational skills, and demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring.
Valid driver’s license with 3 years of driving experience, and the ability to pass a motor vehicle report.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in a related discipline AND 4-5 years of relevant experience.
Other relevant subject matter expertise, education, training or professional certifications in addition to the above-referenced degrees.
Web development experience and experience writing, producing and editing sustainability progress reports, newsletters, blogs and/or social media posts.
LEED Credentials.
Work experience in higher education.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment is primarily indoors within Whitman College facilities, with occasional work outdoors, which may include exposure to varying weather conditions and work in high places. This position may be exposed to dirt, dust, and equipment use during certain tasks. The role involves both desk work, requiring long periods of sitting, and physical activity. Extended use of a computer is expected, along with frequent desk-based administrative tasks.

Job duties require moderate strength and agility, including balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions. Lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 40 pounds occurs with varied frequency. Occasionally, the role may require physical exertion during events, projects, or outdoor tasks.

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children.

Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.

Employee Assistance Program.

Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.

Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin October 28, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

December 16, 2024

Whitman College

About Us

New Jobs

Sustainability Manager