SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR at University of California Office of the President

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic health centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

Position Base

Oakland

Location

UCOP - Franklin Building

Department Overview

The UCOP Office of Sustainability (OS) develops, coordinates, and supports sustainability efforts throughout the system, including the UC Sustainable Practices Policy and the UC Global Climate Leadership Council. The OS identifies best practices on one or more campuses or academic health centers and works strategically to turn them into standard business practice across the system. The OS works with UC’s campuses and health systems to lead systemwide collaborative sustainability initiatives. The OS plays a leadership and facilitation role by building consensus among all campuses and health centers for aggressive yet feasible systemwide goals to move all UC sustainability practices forward quickly and efficiently. The OS coordinates the development and implementation of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy and tracks key metrics to analyze and report on progress towards UC’s goals. Externally, the OS works to reinforce UC’s position as a national leader in sustainability in higher education.

The UCOP OS is committed to applying inclusion principles to all its sustainability policy areas, programs, and initiatives. The OS is committed to ensuring that UC sustainability programs are appropriately responsive to the communities who are engaged in these programs. The OS will ensure collaborative processes where sustainability work is driven by the contributions of diverse voices and perspectives and aligned with equal opportunity compliance to drive sustainability work.

Position Summary

Under general direction of the Chief Sustainability Officer, the Sustainability Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and implementation of effective sustainability initiatives for the University. The Sustainability Coordinator will work collaboratively with various stakeholders to integrate principles of sustainability and environmental justice into operations, policies, and practices at the systemwide level and at UCOP.

At a systemwide level, the Sustainability Coordinator will provide planning and coordination support for the University’s sustainability efforts, such as the Sustainability Steering Committee, the Global Climate Leadership Council, and systemwide working groups coordinating the implementation of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy. They will coordinate the collection and analysis of sustainability data across the UC system, and report on progress towards sustainability goals via the Annual Sustainability Report and other communications. The Sustainability Coordinator will serve as the program manager for the Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Student Fellowship program. They will mentor students and co-supervise the UCOP Climate Action fellows.

At UCOP, the Sustainability Coordinator will facilitate and coordinate the assessment, planning, and execution of organizational culture enhancement for the Energy and Sustainability Unit as part of its contributions to the UC Finance strategic plan and UCOP’s values-driven culture management goals.The Sustainability Coordinator must have knowledge and experience in sustainability concepts, practices and policy. They will possess strong data analysis and management skills, with the ability to organize information and communicate it clearly to a wide range of audiences. They will have strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build and foster collaborative, inclusive partnerships with the University’s constituents and external stakeholders.

UCOP is a hybrid organization. The Sustainability Coordinator will be expected to be on-site at the UCOP building in downtown Oakland on anchor days – currently Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Occasional travel to other UC locations and conferences or participation in after-hours and weekend activities is expected. UCOP continues to assess its hybrid work arrangement and expectations for on-site work may evolve in the future. UCOP is committed to employee well-being, work-life balance, and works diligently to create a supportive and respectful work environment for all staff members.

Candidates with professional experience in climate justice, and expanding access and opportunities for all are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

40% Project Coordination and Implementation

• Manages the Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate fellowship program, which includes budget management and planning, coordination with fellowship program coordinators at each campus and health center, organizing training and other fellowship program events, and communication with fellows.
• Supports the development and inclusive implementation of systemwide and UCOP sustainability projects. Designs, develops and delivers project components, such as surveys, interviews, best practice guides and presentations. Examples of past projects include equitably focused climate resilience planning, sustainable food procurement, and equity reviews of climate action plans.
• Supports sustainability implementation across UC sustainability policy areas, including clean energy, green building, climate action, food, health and well-being, health care operations, waste, water, procurement, transportation, building operations and labs, sustainability performance assessment, and inclusion. Collaborates with Associate Directors of Sustainability to identify issues and opportunities that accelerate the University’s progress towards its sustainability goals, such as guiding intercampus collaborations to develop new policy targets.
• Coordinates meetings and supports the development of content for systemwide sustainability committees and task forces, such as the Sustainability Steering Committee, Global Climate Leadership Council, and sustainability policy working groups.
• Coordinates and facilitates workshops for UC sustainability officers and the UCOP Office of Sustainability.
• Serves as a spokesperson on sustainability initiatives at UCOP. Introduces new employees to UCOP sustainability practices by presenting at monthly New Employee Orientation sessions. May also give guest lectures or brief presentations regarding sustainability to various audiences.
• May supervise, mentor or advise student fellows and interns on academic projects related to sustainability.
  
  

35% Data Review and Reporting

• Supports an intensive data collection process to assess sustainability progress at all UC campuses and health locations toward the policy goals in the Sustainable Practices Policy for the UC Annual Sustainability Report. This includes developing and updating complex databases and spreadsheets, supporting UC locations in preparing and analyzing data, and conducting data quality and accuracy review.
• Reviews all data, data explanations, summaries, and stories that are included in the Annual Sustainability Report for clarity and accuracy.
• Supports the UCOP Sustainability Lead in collecting and analyzing UCOP sustainability data.
• Supports the evaluation of the Annual Sustainability Report development process, including analyzing the current process and researching the feasibility of innovations and improvements.
• Conducts independent research, analysis and reporting on a wide variety of issues relating to sustainability.
  
  

15% Culture Management Coordination

• Serves as staff to the systemwide Sustainability and Inclusive Excellence Working Group and coordinates projects on their behalf.
• Provides facilitation and coordination of the Energy and Sustainability Unit (ESU) in its assessment, planning and execution of organizational culture enhancement goals as part of the Unit’s contributions to the UC Finance strategic plan and UCOP’s culture management goals.
• Plans agendas and facilitates the monthly UCOP Energy and Sustainability department’s CIE discussion group meetings.
• Serves as an ESU representative to the UC Finance CIE Committee.
• Partners with Culture, or Opportunity and Access leads in other UCOP departments and with other key stakeholders such as local Human Resources or Employee Resource Groups.
• Identifies, enables and develops targeted resources, tools and actions to support execution of UCOP’s culture framework within the ESU. Goals may include increasing diverse perspectives, enhancing workforce inclusion and ensuring access and opportunity for all departmental programs and projects.
• Contributes to systemwide Culture strategy initiatives and climate and environmental justice initiatives and projects.
• Explores and implements innovative solutions and best practices in sustainability, climate justice, and culture management initiatives, showcasing UCOP's commitment to leading-edge strategies.
  
  

10% Communications and Outreach

• Develops sustainability communications and supports sustainability marketing campaigns and communication strategies. Maintains the Office of Sustainability’s website.
• Develops and implements strategies for evaluating the effectiveness and reach of communications and outreach activities.
• Cultivates and maintains beneficial working relationships with internal and external stakeholders regarding sustainability initiatives.
• Develops and maintains contact tools and lists such as MailChimp accounts, email listservs, contact databases, etc.
  
  

Experience

Required Qualifications

Min 5 years of experience in Sustainability or equivalent

Skills And Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Ability to work independently with general supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sustainability concepts, policies, and practices.
• Professional experience in the areas of climate and environmental justice and social justice.
• Professional experience facilitating conversations on topics of inclusion and respectful workplaces.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals.
• Skill in planning and implementing inclusive sustainability practices with a variety of constituents.
• Strong data analysis and organization skills. Ability to organize information, analyze and extract relevant data, and prepare reports in various formats.
• Proven organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Desire to foster a culture of collaboration and collective impact across the UC system.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to draft clear, concise correspondence, develop presentations and business documents.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in navigating complex sustainability issues and responding to emerging trends, ensuring that UCOP remains agile and responsive to changing circumstances.
• Proficient in software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Suite) and database applications.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting sustainability practices in institutions of higher education and on topics such as climate action, green building, food, health care operations, building operations, health and well-being, waste, water, procurement, transportation, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
• Proficient in Cascade Content Management System, Wordpress, and common social media tools.
  
  

Education

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience / training
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
  
  

Licenses and Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

LEED Accredited Professional

Travel Requirements

5% Occasional travel to UC campuses and to professional conferences.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position has been approved for a hybrid work arrangement. The person hired must report to work on-site at UC’s Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, subject to change. The person hired is required to reside in the State of California.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title

Sustainability Officer 3

Job Code

005659

Salary Grade

Grade 22

Payscale:

$100,000 - $116,300, commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is December 8, 2025. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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