Sustainability Consultant – Zero Waste Services

Great Forest; New York (NY); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off 22 days/year (31 max)

11 company holidays

Unlimited sick leave

Cell phone stipend

Medical, dental and vision insurance

TRUE Zero Waste Advisor Certification

Job summary

Great Forest is seeking a Sustainability Consultant in the New York City area to support our zero waste services. This role combines account management, programmatic analysis, design and implementation, data analysis, and report writing for diverse clients.

Starting at $65,000/year, this full‑time position is based in the New York metro area with Wednesdays in-office in Manhattan and occasional travel to client sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, engineering, or related field.
• 1–3 years in sustainability or related experience.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint; familiar with Google Workspace.
• Analytical and problem-solving in fast-paced settings.
• Excellent time management and prioritization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site waste program evaluations.
• Draft reports and educational materials.
• Presentations and tabling events to educate stakeholders.
• Maintain client relationships with outcome-focused meetings.
• Advise on sustainable waste programs, policies, goals.
• Communicate technical information to diverse stakeholders.
• Analyze data to understand clients’ waste profiles.
• Stay updated on waste regulations affecting clients.

Skills

Materials management

Zero waste

Circular systems

Communication with stakeholders

Time management

Public speaking

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability/Environmental Science/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Google Workspace

Job description

About Great Forest:

Great Forest provides waste-related consulting and brokerage services to regional, national, and multi-national organizations. We enable clients to manage waste sustainably by evaluating client operations, measuring and analyzing waste generation, and developing holistic programs that reduce waste, increase diversion from landfills and incineration, and maximize efficiency. Founded in 1989, we are backed by extensive experience, expertise, and relationships in the waste industry. We pioneered some of the first environmental sustainability programs in corporate America and we continue to innovate. Great Forest clients include many Fortune 500 companies and institutions across a range of industries including commercial real estate, financial services, hospitality, healthcare, education, and manufacturing

Great Forest is an industry leader in zero waste consulting services. We provide ongoing services for over 60 million square feet of client space and conducted over 175 waste audits in 2025.

Great Forest seeks a Sustainability Consultant – Zero Waste Services to support our continued growth.

Position Summary:

As more organizations look to reach their waste-related sustainability goals, the demand for zero waste consulting services has continued to grow. Great Forest is seeking a Sustainability Consultant based in the New York City area, with potential travel based on account or project needs. This position is a great opportunity for hands‑on experience and advancement in the exciting, growing field of materials management, zero waste, and circularity, while working with a small, entrepreneurial team. This role is a combination of account management, programmatic analysis, design and implementation, data analysis and report writing.

• Full-time, starting at $65,000/year, based on experience.
• Position based in the New York metro area.
  • Candidate expected to be in office in Manhattan on Wednesdays, whenever client site work allows.
  • Candidate expected to regularly travel to client sites, as needed.
  • Potential travel outside of New York City area, as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducting on‑site client waste program evaluations.
• Drafting reports and other informational/educational material.
• Conducting informational sessions, presentations, and tabling events to educate stakeholders on waste reduction and diversion.
• Maintaining client relationships by facilitating decisive, outcome‑oriented meetings.
• Advising on sustainable waste management programs, policies, and goals.
• Communicating technical information to diverse stakeholders.
• Conducting data analysis to gain understanding of clients’ waste profile.
• Maintain current understanding of waste management‑related regulations to advise clients on legal requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated passion for materials management, zero waste, and circular systems.
• Bachelor’s Degree. Focus on Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Data Analytics, or other related discipline strongly preferred.
• At least 1-3 years’ experience in the sustainability field or other relevant experience and interest in sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Self‑motivated, dependable, organized, and detail‑oriented.
• Experience with and ease working across a range of software platforms including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, Google Workspace.
• Analytically minded and able to problem solve in a complex, fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent time management and ability to establish a hierarchy of needs.
• Dynamic and engaging public speaking skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Design experience in Canva.
• Spanish or other language a plus.
• Working knowledge of commercial property operations.

What we Offer:

• Hands‑on industry experience and opportunity for growth with a small, capable team.
• Intensive training.
• Experience working on substantial, meaningful projects for large clients with a regional focus in New York City.
• 22 days of paid time off beginning each calendar year with an additional day for each year of employment (31-day max).
• 11 paid company holidays.
• Unlimited sick leave.
• Cell phone stipend up to $100/month.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance benefits.
• Sponsorship of TRUE Zero Waste Advisor Certification.