Environmental Sustainability Specialist

City of Fairfax•Va 22030, VA

11h

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Sustainability Program Manager, performs responsible professional work in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the City’s environmental sustainability programs and initiatives. Work encompasses program areas including waste reduction and recycling, composting, climate action, energy efficiency, green building, and environmental stewardship with significant involvement in solid waste program administration, community outreach and education, data collection and reporting, and coordination with internal departments, regional agencies, contractors, and community stakeholders. Work involves independent judgment and action within the framework of established City and department policies, regulations and procedures, and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of program outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Engineering, Environmental Policy, Environmental Resources Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration or a related field; and two years of experience in environmental policy, sustainability, solid waste management, recycling, environmental program management, or a related area; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
Knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices involved in environmental sustainability programs and initiatives, including waste reduction and recycling, solid waste management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and environmental stewardship.
Knowledge of solid waste management systems, recycling markets, composting programs, waste diversion strategies, and zero waste principles.
Knowledge of current issues, trends, and applicable federal, state and city environmental and sustainability-related programs, laws, regulations, and regulatory processes, including Virginia solid waste and recycling regulations.
Knowledge of community outreach, public engagement, and behavior change strategies, including digital and social media communications platforms.
Knowledge of project coordination principles, data collection and analysis techniques, and performance measurement methodologies.
Ability to collect, analyze, and report environmental performance data and translate findings into formats that are clearly understood by technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to coordinate multiple projects and assignments simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected and appointed officials, contractors, regional partners, community organizations, businesses and the public.
Ability to prepare and deliver clear and effective presentations, reports, outreach materials, and public-facing content to audiences of varying sizes and backgrounds.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment within established policies and procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, and Publisher; familiarity with database management systems used for tracking and reporting environmental program data.
Proficiency with graphic design software or tools used in the development of outreach and education materials.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
May be required to attend meetings or community events outside of normal business hours on an occasional basis.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) or more years of experience in sustainability, solid waste management, recycling, composting, zero waste, or environmental program management.
Experience working in a local government, public sector, or consulting environment.
Experience managing community outreach, public engagement, and behavior change campaigns.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting environmental performance data and metrics.
Experience developing or implementing environmental policies, ordinances, or strategic plans.
Experience coordinating projects, contracts, grants, or consultant services.
Knowledge of Virginia solid waste and recycling regulations.
Master’s degree in a related field.
Professional certifications such as TRUE Advisor, SWANA certifications, LEED Green Associate/AP, or related sustainability credentials.
Bilingual communication skills.

Responsibilities

Implements and supports the development, administration and evaluation of sustainability programs, and initiatives in the areas of waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, resiliency, stormwater management/watershed protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, green procurement and sustainable transportation; tracks performance against established benchmarks and program goals.
Coordinates with City departments, regional agencies, contractors, schools, businesses, multifamily properties, community organizations, and residents to support implementation of sustainability and waste reduction initiatives.
Conducts research studies and surveys; evaluates programs and operations to identify areas for improvement; monitors results compared to performance benchmarks and evaluates progress toward achieving goals.
Administers the City’s solid waste programs as established in the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, reuse, and circular economy initiatives; tracks, manages, analyzes and reports solid waste, recycling, and composting tonnage data utilizing a database management system.
Assists with periodic updates of the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan in accordance with state regulatory requirements; prepares and submits the City’s annual recycling report to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Assists with the preparation and administration of the operating budget and Capital Improvements Program related to sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental initiatives, supports procurement activities including preparation of scopes of work, requests for proposals, contract coordination and contractor communication.
Coordinates with Code Compliance and Refuse staff, haulers, property managers, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support compliance with environmental regulations, recycling requirements, illegal dumping enforcement, construction debris regulations, and other applicable ordinances.
Monitors changes in local, state, and federal sustainability-related law and policy; evaluates potential impacts on City programs and initiatives and brings findings to the attention of the Sustainability Program Manager.
Develops and implements community outreach and education plans across all programmatic areas, including government facilities, residential, multifamily, commercial, schools and special events; expands outreach efforts to ensure messaging reaches diverse audiences including non-English speaking populations.
Works with the Communications department to raise public environmental awareness and promote sustainability initiatives; develops content and public engagement campaigns through the City's website, social media platforms, online and printed newsletters, presentations, and other communication channels.
Designs and produce education and outreach materials, including print brochures, posters, signs, flyers, decals, booklets, postcards, magnets, promotional giveaways and graphics for the City’s website and social media platforms.
Conducts ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outreach and education activities using defined metrics and deliverables; prepares summary reports on program effectiveness and community engagement outcomes.
Assists with the identification and pursuit of grants, rebates, and partnership opportunities that support waste reduction, diversion, and sustainability initiatives; supports grant administration and compliance reporting as assigned.
Administers contracts and agreements within assigned program areas; assists with procurement activities including preparation of scopes of work, requests for proposals, contract coordination, and contractor communication.
Recruits, trains and coordinates volunteers to support programs.
Represent the division at public meetings, public hearings and community events as assigned.
Partners with surrounding jurisdictions and attends regional meetings on sustainability and waste reduction programs.
Identifies and facilitates outreach opportunities that will strengthen relations or create new partnerships with stakeholders and organizations including businesses, non-profits, George Mason University, and environmental organizations.
Researches, identifies and analyzes innovative programs, opportunities and technologies that promote environmental and sustainability program goals.
Other duties as assigned.