Penn State Job Catalog

The Sustainability Specialist provides direction and guidance to operational and academic units to implement strategies, educational, and outreach initiatives and programs to reduce waste and increase recycling activities on campus, furthering Penn State’s sustainability goals and strategic plan.

• Develop, implement, and improve programs and processes to collect and remove all recycled materials from University buildings and property
• Maintain and enforce design and operational standards for collection processes, containers, equipment, and storage areas inside and outside of campus buildings
• Develop and implement methods to measure success of reduction and recycling efforts at the building and departmental level and provide feedback to customers to improve waste reduction and recycling efforts
• Work with stakeholders to comply with all relevant local, state, and federal ordinances, laws, and requirements
• Develop and conduct ongoing waste reduction and recycling educational campaigns for all audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors
• Champion participation in waste reduction and recycling programs by University departments, faculty, students and staff
• Compose and present reports and audits regarding sustainable operations to stakeholders and senior leadership
• Seek grants and funding for projects as appropriate
• Represent the University in various industry, community, and governmental groups and forums concerning sustainability efforts

Level:

– Senior Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00