Manager, Sustainability (Restricted Funds)

APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities; Walnut (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities seeks a Manager of Sustainability to lead campus-wide sustainability, energy management, and climate resilience programs. You will drive environmental stewardship, coordinate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, and align operations with sustainability standards.

Responsibilities include developing plans, tracking performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing budgets and grants to support climate resilience initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a sustainability-related field with relevant professional experience.
• Experience leading campus-wide sustainability and energy programs.
• Familiarity with LEED CALGreen and related environmental standards.
• Strong ability to analyze data and prepare technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead campus sustainability and climate action plans including energy use and greenhouse gas tracking.
• Monitor program performance, prepare reports, and guide improvements.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and college policies.
• Coordinate sustainability committees, trainings, and student engagement.
• Manage budgets, external funding, and grant opportunities.
• Collaborate with facilities, operations, and leadership to advance decarbonization goals.

Skills

Sustainability strategy

Energy management

DEI inclusive practices

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, sustainability, public policy, urban planning or related field

LEED AP or comparable certification

Tools

Energy Management Systems (EMS)

Job description

Manager, Sustainability (Restricted Funds)

Under administrative direction, this position develops, coordinates, implements, and supports campus-wide sustainability, energy management, and climate resilience programs designed to promote sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and a culture of sustainability across the College. The position collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to advance institutional sustainability goals; integrates sustainability principles into campus operations, strategic planning, facilities planning, capital projects, and construction initiatives; and leads resource conservation efforts. The incumbent monitors performance metrics and outcomes, supports sustainability-related committees, communications, and educational programming, and ensures alignment with applicable environmental policies, sustainability standards, and industry best practices.

Essential Functions (Illustrative Only)

1. Leads development, implementation, and continuous improvement of campus sustainability and climate action plans, including energy conservation, waste reduction, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions tracking, and integration of sustainability goals into campus operations and capital projects.
2. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of sustainability programs, documenting performance trends, and recommending modifications to enhance program outcomes; tracks program outcomes and prepares reports and summaries.
3. Ensures compliance with applicable environmental and energy regulations, Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and climate commitments.
4. Manages campus sustainability ambassador or peer education programs, including recruitment, training, and coordination of student participants and temporary employees.
5. Manages and supports sustainability committees and advisory groups by preparing materials, coordinating meetings, and tracking follow-up actions.
6. Develops, updates, and distributes sustainability education materials and resources; coordinates sustainability communications, including website content, newsletters, social media, and campus publications.
7. Plans, organizes, and supports sustainability-themed events, workshops, trainings, educational tours, and volunteer activities that promote sustainable practices across campus operations and facilities; maintains calendars, metrics, and documentation related to sustainability programs and events.
8. Leads the planning and coordination of capital sustainability projects, including but not limited to renewable energy, electrification, and water conservation; collaborates with Facilities teams to support project development, integrate sustainability standards, and maximize utility rebates and incentives to ensure alignment with Energy and Environment Design LEED/California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) standards.
9. Manages the comprehensive analysis and management of College-wide utility consumption, including electricity, natural gas, and water, utilizing Energy Management Systems EMS to monitor usage patterns, trends, and costs; develops and presents data-driven performance reports and strategic recommendations to leadership to optimize resource allocation, reduce operational expenditures, and advance institutional sustainability and decarbonization goals.
10. Develops and oversees sustainability program budgets, tracks expenditures, and pursues external funding or grant opportunities to support sustainability and climate resilience efforts.
11. Assists with the selection, training, motivation, and direction of department assigned personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
12. Prepares and presents technical reports, updates, and recommendations to executive leadership, governance bodies, and other stakeholder groups.
13. Participates in design review and project planning processes to ensure alignment with institutional sustainability goals, energy efficiency standards, and applicable environmental regulations; provides technical input related to sustainable building practices, energy efficiency strategies, and environmentally responsible materials during the planning and design phase of construction projects.
14. Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
15. Oversees, leads, and provides quality customer service when interacting with the public, vendors, students, and College staff, including individuals from minoritized groups.
16. Establishes, implements, and fosters an environment of belonging as it relates to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, anti-racism, and accessibility DEISAA.
17. Utilizes critical thinking, sound decision-making, and problem-solving skills with tact, confidence, and diplomacy.
18. Implements, enforces, supports, and abides by federal, state, local policies, and Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.
19. Participates in and supports employee participation on committees, task forces, and special assignments, including, but not limited to, Screening and Selection Committees mandated trainings, and DEISAA related trainings as required.
20. Prepares and delivers DEISAA-minded presentations related to assigned areas as required.
21. Performs related duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of supporting a diverse, equitable, inclusive, socially just, anti-racist, and accessible academic and work environment.
2. Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
3. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
4. Environmental sustainability principles, climate action planning, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reporting, and resource conservation.
5. Construction and facilities planning processes and the integration of sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance criteria into project design, infrastructure systems, capital projects, and building operations.
6. Sustainability concepts, environmental practices, and higher education sustainability initiatives.
7. Principles, practices, and techniques of research and statistical analysis.
8. Principles and practices of administration, including budget, personnel, and grants management.
9. Principles of community engagement and student development.
10. Principles and practices of marketing, community engagement, and public relations.
11. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the scope of responsibility.
12. Techniques for effectively representing the College in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
13. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, students, and College staff, including individuals of various ages, disabilities, socio-economic levels and ethnic groups.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Implement, advocate for, and communicate the College’s vision and commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, socially just, anti-racist, and accessible academic and work environment.
2. Oversee and address gaps in diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, anti-racism, and accessibility in recruitment and retention of faculty, management, and staff.
3. Exercise critical thinking and sound decision-making through observing, analyzing, inferring, communicating, and problem-solving in challenging situations with ethics, tact, confidence, and diplomacy.
4. Develop and implement resources and strategies towards the goal of being diverse, equitable, inclusive, socially just, anti-racist, and accessible in academic and work environments.
5. Conduct complex research and analysis, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
6. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
7. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
8. Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
9. Communicate effectively through various modalities.
10. Research, analyze, and prepare clear and concise reports, correspondences, policies, procedures, and other comprehensive written materials.
11. Learn and apply emerging technologies and, as necessary, to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
12. Review situations accurately and determine appropriate course of action using judgment according to established policies and procedures; understand scope of authority in making independent decisions.
13. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

1. Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university; and
2. Four (4) full-time equivalent years of progressively responsible professional experience related to sustainability, environmental programs, energy management, or solid waste program administration, including one (1) full-time equivalent year of coordination and/or leadership experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, sustainability, public policy, urban planning, or a closely related field.
2. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED Accredited Professional LEEDAP, Certified Energy Manager CEM, or comparable sustainability certification.
3. Proven track record of implementing or overseeing programs or policies relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility, preferably in institutions serving minoritized populations such as Hispanic Serving Institutions HSI and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions AANAPISI; OR
4. Proven track record of participating in programs relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility, preferably in institutions serving minoritized populations such as Hispanic Serving Institution HSI and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions AANAPISI.

Licenses and Certificates: None.

The College is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the College is to encourage applications from ethnic and racial minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and Vietnam-era veterans. No person shall be denied employment because of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (gender), age, sexual orientation, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics.