Sustainability Coordinator

Job Title: Sustainability Coordinator

Department: City Manager's Office

Reports to: Energy and Sustainability Manager, City Manager's Office

Salary Range: $53,435 to $57,533 Annually DOQ

Purpose of Work:

The Sustainability Coordinator will support the implementation of the climate action and sustainability projects identified in the City of Decatur 2020 Strategic Plan, as well as connected plans including the Decatur Clean Energy Plan and the Agnes Scott College - City of Decatur Climate Resilience Plan. Through policy research and development, project management, internal and external stakeholder engagement, and creative problem solving, this position will advance Decatur's goals in areas including waste reduction and resource recovery, green buildings, and climate resilience.

This position requires a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that include several disciplines. Candidates might not be proficient in all areas. If employed, self-initiated and employer-provided training will be available. A desire and willingness to learn is essential to the performance of this role.

Core Responsibilities:

• Manage existing and future sustainability projects.
• Research and propose policies, programs, and projects that can advance established City goals.
• Engage and educate the Decatur community on sustainability and resilience topics.
• Support the creation and maintenance of public-facing data dashboards and sustainability and resilience-focused resource pages.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other materials for the City Manager's Office, City Commission, and the public on City initiatives.
• Support the implementation and management of existing and future state and federally funded grant projects, including grant reporting.
• Coordinate volunteer activities at City-sponsored events, including the annual Decatur Earth Day Celebration.
• Assist in the coordination of the City's resident Environmental Sustainability Board.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies and Skills:

• Possesses strong working knowledge of key concepts, methods, and practices of sustainability and resilience.
• Possesses proficient skills in policy research, analysis, and development.
• Possesses a working understanding of key principles and practices of community engagement.
• Possesses strong skills in critical and systems-thinking.
• Possesses quantitative and qualitative research skills, including survey design, analysis, and data visualization.
• Possesses a proficiency or understanding, interest, and capacity for as many of the following key areas as possible:
  1. Waste reduction and diversion;
  2. Resource recovery, including recycling and composting;
  3. Renewable energy, energy efficiency, and weatherization;
  4. Green buildings;
  5. Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions;
  6. Climate resilience;
  7. Equity and environmental justice.
• Ability to independently manage projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively before large groups of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships interdepartmentally, with other government agencies, and with outside organizations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in sustainability studies, environmental science, public policy, earth and atmospheric sciences, or another related field; and
• Minimum of two (2) years of working experience in a sustainability- or public policy-related role; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform in this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting and reporting protocols.
• Experience working in local, state, or federal government.
• Experience using electronic-based survey, data collection, and GIS collection software and tools.
• Experience building coalitions and partnerships with internal and external constituents.
• Master's degree in sustainability, green infrastructure, environmental economics, environmental sciences, electrical, mechanical, or energy engineering, sustainability policy, or sustainability-related field.

Physical Requirements
• Proficiency in use of office software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, email) and GIS.
• Have the ability to perform light manual labor and similar activities including the ability to lift and carry heavy objects (10-50 lbs.), climb, sit, bend, squat and twist on a daily basis.
• Weekend, holiday and evening availability may be required.

Other information

This job description includes the major duties and responsibilities of the job and is not to be construed as all-inclusive. The duties listed here are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Decatur is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected under applicable law