Daily Sustainability Job Post

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Position Overview:

Position Description – Director of Sustainable Duke 

(This position will be open until filled with preference given to applicants who apply by December 4th, 2022. Anticipated start date in January/February 2023.) See application process details below.

Sustainable Duke Overview:

The office of Sustainable Duke at Duke University was created in 2004 with the mission of educating and empowering the Duke community to create a more sustainable future through social, economic, and environmental change on Duke’s campus and beyond. Duke University has set aggressive sustainability goals, including its goal to be carbon neutral starting in 2024, which are outlined in its Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Strategic Plan. 

Most recently, Duke announced its Climate Commitment, which is a university-wide, impact-oriented initiative to address the climate crisis by creating sustainable and equitable solutions that place society on the path toward a resilient, flourishing, carbon-neutral world. Sustainable Duke leads the operational aspects of this Commitment and works closely with colleagues to connect Duke’s educational and community goals with campus efforts.

Sustainable Duke is uniquely positioned within the Office of the Executive Vice President to work with senior administrators, students, faculty, and staff to set and achieve sustainability goals for the University in the areas of climate action and resilience, energy and buildings, waste reduction and diversion, water resources, food and dining, grounds, purchasing, transportation, open space and natural resource stewardship, and the intersection of these issues with environmental and social justice. The Office also works closely with faculty and staff to connect Duke’s operational sustainability efforts to experiential learning that utilizes the campus as a teaching tool, raises awareness and improves performance around sustainable practices and behaviors related to campus life.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability, the Director leads operational sustainability planning and initiatives while working with other University units to integrate sustainability into strategic and annual workplans. From an administrative position, the Director manages a staff of professionals and students, and oversees fiscal operations of Sustainable Duke. 

Position Information:

• Title: Director, Sustainable Duke
• Reporting Department: Sustainable Duke, reports to Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability – Tavey Capps
• Supervisory Capacity: three direct reports; guides work of full Sustainable Duke five person team
• Pay Range: $90,000-110,000 annually (full-time basis, 40 hours/week)
• Work Location: Position requires that the person be local for a hybrid work schedule 
• Benefits: Duke University provides a wide-array of benefits to employees. To learn about Duke’s benefits program, please visit Duke Human Resources.

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Responsibility/Duties:

Sustainable Duke Leadership (30%)

• Plan, organize, direct, and oversee the work of Sustainable Duke 
• Serve as primary supervisor for administrative staff; resolve personnel and workforce concerns; and provide regular feedback and evaluation of performance; work with staff to identify professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge
• Prepare comprehensive analyses and recommendations for administrative and executive decision-making and leadership
• Oversee preparation and monitor the departmental budget; monitor and approve expenditures; implement and monitor book keeping and fiscal procedures for the Office; and identify resources and funding sources as needed
• Direct contracts and consultants related to campus sustainability efforts
• Apply and act as PI on all grants related to sustainability efforts

Strategic Planning and Direction (30%)

• Lead institutional planning of sustainability-related goals and policy, in collaboration with colleagues across Duke, that relate to all operational facets of the University including Duke’s Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Strategic Plan; Participate in planning, development, design, and evaluation of program activities
• Assess programmatic needs and deliver program services and activities in accordance with program goals and objectives; as well as monitor program’s compliance with University policies and procedures
• Partner with departments across campus on the integration of sustainability principles into all facets of operations and culture

• • Develop and define performance metrics to evaluate and monitor progress and effectiveness

• Facilitate and manage the work of the Campus Sustainability Committee and its topically focused subcommittees 

• Build authentic collaborative partnerships with campus cultural centers, affinity groups, and student organizations to integrate environmental justice in sustainability activities and to support shared values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion

Assessing and Reporting Duke’s Sustainability Efforts (20%)

• Develop reports and presentations on Duke’s strategic climate action planning process to key stakeholders including Board of Trustees, senior administrative staff, student/faculty governmental bodies and the public

• Oversee development of annual campus sustainability indicators report, analyzing past successes, current efforts and future focus areas for reducing environmental, social and economic impacts

• Provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees on Duke’s sustainability initiatives and progress towards institutional goals

• Represent Duke’s sustainability efforts to the University and the public

• Maintain relationships with campus departments, programs, organizations groups as well as professional associations and colleagues at other institutions to achieve sustainability objectives

• Collaborate with regional and national sustainability peer groups in higher education such as Ivy+ Sustainability Consortium and Southeast Sustainability Network

• Present at professional meetings and conferences

Teaching and Academic Integration (20%) 

• Oversee and direct Campus as Lab efforts to integrate the campus and community as teaching tools for curricular and co-curricular programs
• Collaborate, partner and co-teach with key faculty to connect operational sustainability initiatives to the campus pedagogical efforts 
• Encourage and facilitate sustainability programs initiated by students, faculty, staff, and community members
• Assist with student research projects

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Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or higher degree preferred) and 7+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Significant proven experience in personnel management including providing development and direction to multiple employees at different levels within an organization. Professional experience working in higher education is preferred 
• Knowledge of carbon markets, operational sustainability topics including, but not limited to, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable supply chain management, alternative transportation, sustainable food systems, water and energy technology and efficiency 
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with the ability to manage and support multiple projects at different stages with an emphasis on accuracy and meeting milestones and deadlines
• Excellent analytical and economic evaluation skills with ability to communicate technical analyses to internal and external audiences 
• Inquisitive attitude, self-motivated, and self-driven approach with ability to work in a high-pace, collaborative environment
• Excellent writing skills and ability and comfort with public speaking and presentations
• Proficiency in various software to collect and manage data and create reports that outline progress and impact 

Application Process

To apply for this role, please submit the following in an email to Tavey Capps – tavey.mcdaniel@duke.edu 

• resume and cover letter
• contact information for two references 

Please ensure your cover letter addresses the following questions: 

• What about this position interests you?
• How does this position fit within your future career plans?
• What are one or two experiences from your past that demonstrates your ability to proactive lead a dynamic, expanding higher education sustainability program?

This position will be open until filled with preference given to applicants who apply by December 4th, 2022. Anticipated start date in January/February 2023.