Program Coordinator, Sustainability Operations

Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

2d

About The Position

The Sustainability Operations Program Coordinator is part of Vanderbilt University’s Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) organization and provides operational support for sustainability and resiliency programs. Reporting directly to the Sustainability Director, the coordinator works with departments across Real Estate, Facilities, and Development, including environmental health and safety, maintenance and operations, planning, design and construction, and real estate development. The work covers sustainable infrastructure and operations, research and innovation, energy and water efficiency, resource conservation, recycling, composting, and landscaping. The coordinator also supports network campuses and collaborates with the environmental compliance team.

The role helps improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness through AI, informatics, metrics, databases, software, and technology. EHSS is part of the Real Estate, Facilities and Development division and provides occupational and research-focused safety services as well as university sustainability leadership. The team supports Vanderbilt’s research university community and campus facilities in Nashville and across its network campuses.

The position has no initial supervisory responsibilities. Occasional travel to network campuses and facilities across the United States may be required. The coordinator is expected to follow service standards, keep current with developments in their field, and take on additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sustainability, resiliency, a related technical field, or another related specialty; an equivalent combination of education and experience is accepted.
• Ability to obtain a relevant professional certification is required.
• Working knowledge of environmental engineering and management, sustainability, or resiliency theory, concepts, performance standards, best practices, and regulations.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to develop clear and engaging online and in-person presentations, program documents, procedures, and reports.
• Strong ability to deliver education and program-specific presentations efficiently, effectively, engagingly, and innovatively.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft and Adobe products, including Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Advanced data management, AI, analytical, quantitative, technical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly.
• Strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective, respectful working relationships in a service-oriented environment with diverse people and understand their needs and goals.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact, inclusion, and respect for diversity.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and understand and appreciate differing or opposing perspectives.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience in the candidate’s area of expertise or in a university setting is preferred.
• Articulate, Oracle, Tableau, web programming, social media, or database skills are a plus.
• Ability to plan and execute multiple tasks and projects and deliver against objectives and deadlines is strongly preferred.
• Potentially relevant certifications include Professional Engineer (PE), LEED, Project Management Professional (PMP), Registered Environmental Manager (REM), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or other applicable certifications.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage evidence-based sustainable and resilient operational improvements with university operational units and partners to reduce resource use and waste generation measurably.
• Implement and continuously improve High-Performance and Resilient Infrastructure Design Guidelines and participate in design development for renovation and new construction projects on Nashville and network campuses.
• Expand the Sustainable Labs program to encourage proactive safety, sustainability, and resiliency efforts in the university’s research and innovation community.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve network campus environmental compliance, sustainability, and resiliency programs to meet local requirements related to energy and waste efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and resiliency.
• Track university sustainability and resiliency data for trend and performance analysis, dashboard reporting, and regulatory reporting.
• Provide operational support to sustainability and resiliency programs and collaborate with relevant university departments and teams.
• Adhere to service standards and keep knowledge current with advances in the field.
• Take on additional job responsibilities as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level