Director of Sustainability

Gonzaga College started in 1881 with $936 in hard silver dollars. It bought Gonzaga's founder, Father Joseph Cataldo, S.J., 320 acres of land and water, what people then referred to as "the old piece of gravel near the falls." Six years later, the College officially opened the doors of its only building for "young Scholastics, whose ambition it is to become priests." Exclusively for boys, the College was under the charge of the Jesuit priests. Enrollment for the 1887-88 academic year was 18 boys and young men.

Today, it is known as Gonzaga University, a private, four-year institution of higher education. More than 105 buildings dot the 131-acre campus overlooking the Spokane River. Students include both women and men, who can enroll in a multitude of undergraduate or graduate programs. Enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year was 7,837 students.

A constant throughout the years is Gonzaga's educational philosophy, based on the centuries-old Ignatian model of educating the whole person - mind, body and spirit. At Gonzaga, students discover how to integrate science and art, faith and reason, action and contemplation. "Cura personalis," or care for the individual, is our guiding theme. 

Position Overview:

The Director of Sustainability will develop and administer programs and provide advice on policies within the area of sustainability at Gonzaga University with the ultimate goal of fully implementing the University Climate Action Plan, creating a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan, and developing a culture of sustainability at the University.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop, coordinate and administer initiatives related to sustainability at Gonzaga.
• Measure, report, and benchmark campus sustainability.
• Represent University sustainability programs to the University community and the public.
• Supervise student interns.
• Administer budget as required.
• Develop, coordinate and administer initiatives related to sustainability at Gonzaga University. 
• In conjunction with University Plant Services, spearhead campus efforts to meet the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Implement programs related to promoting a culture of sustainability at Gonzaga: 

• Build involvement and support for sustainability projects among students, faculty, staff, and University administration, e.g. educational workshops for employees via Human Resources. 
• Encourage development and implementation of faculty and staff sustainability initiatives such as sustainable event planning and sustainable practices in the workplace. 
• Implement procedural and educational programs aimed at campus waste diversion. 
• Oversee coordination of an annual Campus Sustainability Week. 
• Oversee coordination of the University Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program as required by RCW 70.94.521-5 5 1. 

Regularly engage with University programs/departments/organizations that have existing sustainability initiatives. Enhance existing efforts, coordinate efforts across units, and share success stories across the University:  

• Actively interact with and provide counseling and guidance to student sustainability organizations' events and initiatives to ensure holistic sustainability programming. 
• Provide consultation to faculty in development of programs supporting University sustainability initiatives, ex. Sustainability Across the Curriculum initiative. 
• Work with departments of Plant Services to enhance sustainability practices and promote sustainability initiatives on campus, e.g. communicate sustainable design elements in new campus buildings. 
• Provide resources, guidance, and training to Residence Life to disseminate and foster sustainability practices related to student life.  

Foster and enhance use of campus as a living laboratory. Develop and maintain list of project needs; interface regularly with faculty and students; serve as a resource for students doing academic projects related to sustainability.

Serve as a member of and provide support to Gonzaga's Advisory Council on Stewardship and Sustainability (ACSS).

Measure, report, and benchmark campus sustainability: 

• Oversee data sustainability-related data collection as methods of public reporting and internal benchmarking, e.g., TracDat, Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS), and annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. 
• Establish and maintain an effective communication strategy, including a website and regular newsletter, for promoting campus sustainability efforts internally and externally at Gonzaga. Maintain ongoing communication with University Public Relations. 
• Research and maintain working knowledge of sustainability best practices: for students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as at peer institutions. 
• Oversee the CTR two-year measurement cycle survey and report progress towards decreasing "Drive Alone Trips, Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gas Emissions." 

Represent GU's sustainability programs to the University and to the public:

• Act as a spokesperson and set an example for sustainability on campus. 
• Interface and maintain working relationships with local/regional organizations (e.g. Sustainability Partnership for the Northern Rockies, the Spokane Riverkeepers, Center for Justice, the Lands Council, and the Diocese of Spokane) for-profit organizations (e.g. Sodexo), as well as national sustainability programs (e.g. the Association for Jesuit Colleges and Universities, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment). 
• Attend and/or speak at regional and national professional meetings as appropriate. 

Serve or oversee Student Interns acting as the University Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) and insure appropriate and professional representation at Spokane County CTR programs.

Administer budget as required:

• Prepare budgets and monitor, verify, and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds as appropriate. 

Other Functions:

• Supervision Given/Received. 
• This position reports to the Executive Vice President.
• Supervise student interns: Recruit, hire, and manage student sustainability interns performing research or work on sustainability projects. 

Qualifications:  

Minimum Qualifications

• Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree program.
• Familiarity with the concept and practice of environmental sustainability.
• Familiarity with working in an academic environment.
• Experience in developing educational materials.
• Expertise with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Preferred: website management skills.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently and be detail-oriented.
• Strong communication skills including writing and public speaking. 

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree preferred. 

Physical Demands

• The functions are usually performed sitting but may involve some amount of time standing, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting, walking, carrying, and other movements.
• Requires ability to actively communicate and interact with various constituents, including students, faculty, staff, administration, and the general public.
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.  

Compensation: Hiring Salary Depends on experience. 

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Here!" and then follow the application instructions found there.

~ Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission. Gonzaga University is an AA/EEO employer committed to diversity. ~