Sustainability Assistant

Description
The City of Roanoke is a leader in sustainability and is searching for an energetic, enthusiastic person to support and grow the program. The Sustainability Assistant will work with the Sustainability Coordinator to provide research, develop, plan, and implement all Sustainability Programs and Projects within the organization and greater Roanoke community. Creates educational and communication materials, presentations, and online media.

This position will manage public communications, create outreach materials, and engage with the community to provide education, increase awareness of our programs, and create collective solutions with a specific focus on equity, community health and wellbeing, and resilience. The Sustainability Assistant promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in internal operations and in the community based on the goals outlined in the Climate Action Plan, and will make recommendations that support the City’s efforts to create an environmentally sustainable community. This position assists Sustainability Coordinator in minor administrative duties to support the City’s various sustainability programs and initiatives.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is a non-exempt position.
Examples of Duties

SUMMARY

Performs routine to difficult administrative and technical work in support of the city’s various sustainability programs and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program & Policy Development

Research, identify, and help facilitate strategic implementation to reduce emissions, including but not limited to renewable and clean energy solutions, waste reduction, environmental quality (air and water pollution), and social climate justice
Develop, coordinate with diverse internal and external stakeholders, and implement sustainability programs, such as; single use plastic reduction programs, Recycle Right, C-PACE, Solarize Roanoke, and future decarbonization and pollution reduction initiatives
Assist in creating and implementing guiding Sustainability documents
Perform complex technical support work related to ensuring the on-going success of our City’s climate change goals, applicable policy, and supports the administration of a comprehensive sustainability program
Research and propose policies, programs, and technologies that can be applied toward City goals (e.g. single use plastics reduction, 100% clean energy)
Community Engagement
Develop reciprocal relationships with community groups, neighborhood associations, other City Departments and various commissions and foundations to enhance the quality of life for Roanoke citizens.
Conduct regular public outreach to educate and engage with the public about sustainability and resilience initiatives, including outreach materials, community meetings, presentations, and events
Develop verbal and graphic content for public communication on sustainability programs through a variety of media channels including news media, content of webpages, social media
Collaborate with and participate in climate related/sustainability community groups and networks to support community-guided solutions to our City; respond to citizen concerns and inquiries
Funding and Grant Assistance
Identify funding opportunities such as grants, develop applications, and help manage grants if awarded; implement and coordinate grant programs; collaborate with community partners and stakeholders
Professional Learning & Development
Participate in continuing education and peer learning in fast-pace climate change field through conferences, work groups, webinars; utilize statewide and national sustainability groups and networks
Stay current on environmental issues and laws, with the ability to conduct, interpret data, and apply scientific research to outreach, written material, and direct communication with the public
Other Tasks
Assist in writing and compiling data for reports
Utilize computer based applications (databases, GIS, Adobe products, internet, etc.) to support development of various sustainability programs, plans and projects, visual materials, social media posts, and to ensure the on-going maintenance of related record keeping and reporting

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities
Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability-related field or Associate Degree with 3 years of experience in Sustainability-related field like Natural Resources
Have an education background, experience, and working knowledge of sustainability goals,
principals, and solutions
Have some knowledge of climate change, impacts, and effective solutions
Communicate policies, practices, procedures, and technical information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing to diverse audiences with varying degrees of background knowledge and experience

Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk, stand, and/or sit for prolonged periods, sometimes outdoors and during inclement weather. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to wear certain basic personal protective equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus in all levels of lighting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. As with any enforcement entity, the recipients of violation notices or abatement actions are typically irritated while a few may become very angry and even combative. At such times, the work environment may occasionally become loud and abusive.
This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.