https://jobs.wwu.edu/JobPosting.aspx?JPID=5409

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Program Specialist 2
About the Position: The Office of Sustainability is looking for a creative, energetic member to join their team as the Program Specialist for the Green Energy Fee (GEF) Grant Program at Western Washington University. This unique program is a highly collaborative effort with an extensive number of participants and stakeholders working to utilize funds gathered from the student Green Energy Fee to pilot sustainability initiatives for the campus community. This position interacts with all constituencies of the campus community, including students which this position mentors on project management skills.

This position is part of a Public School Employees of WWU bargaining unit. New employees are required to meet the membership requirements of the current collective bargaining agreement within 30 calendar days of employment.

About the College/Department: The Office of Sustainability is Western’s hub for campus sustainability. The “OS” is dedicated to helping WWU achieve its strategic goal of campus sustainability by integrating sustainability into operations, academics, research, and outreach through its programs and initiatives. The Office of Sustainability was founded in 2007 and has initiated and/or manages many of the current sustainability programs and projects on campus, including: Washington State Higher Education Sustainability Conference (2014), Sustainable Office Certification Program (2012), Campus-wide Energy Savings Company Retrofits (2011), Revolving Energy Fund (2011), Green Energy Fee Grant Program (2010), Northwest Higher Education Sustainability Consortium (2010), Viking Supported Agriculture (2010), Real Food Challenge (2010), 10×12 Program (2010), Zero Waste Western (2009), Resident Resource Awareness Program (2007)
Position Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Project Planning, Development, Implementation and Analysis\
    • Coordinate the development and submission of project proposals and implementation of funded projects
      • Develop, coordinate and provide educational workshops about the GEF Program and the proposal submission and review process in collaboration with the GEF education and outreach staff
      • Act as primary resource to and liaison for all stakeholders throughout all stages of each project
        • Function as the primary hub for communication between all stakeholders and project teams regarding the application and projects
        • Assist in determining project feasibility
        • Inform, advise and provide technical assistance to stakeholders regarding program policies and procedures
        • Mentor students on project processes including needs assessments, project planning and management, stakeholder communications, interpersonal skills, team dynamics, and design and construction timelines
        • Ensure all parties involved with the project(s) understand the goals and function of the GEF Program
        • Ensure regular, ongoing meetings with each of the project teams during all stages of their projects
          • Provide ongoing updates to all applicable parties regarding any changes
    • Monitor projects during all stages to assess progress and ensure that intended outcomes are met
      • Track all project participant progress during the all stages of projects; ensure they adhere to the various project deadlines and established project goals
      • Develop and implement a long-term project tracking and assessment system
      • Monitor, assess and report on program-wide projects success annually
    • Assist the Campus Sustainability Manager with financial management responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:
      • Submitting work order requests through FAMIS
      • Obtaining and reviewing financial estimates for each project
      • Monitoring, reviewing and reconciling the program’s operational budget and each of the project budgets, accounts and sub-accounts on a monthly basis
      • Ensuring compliance with the appropriate Archive Schedules
      • Providing updates and reports to GEF Program Fund Manager
  • Strategic Programmatic Planning, Development, Implementation and Analysis
    • Develop, implement, assess and/or update applicant and staff workflows and resources to support and promote GEF Grant Program efforts
      • Develop, implement, assess and/or update program processes and corresponding workflow documents and grant application documents
      • Recommend alternative courses of action to workflows in existence or in development
      • Develop, implement, assess and/or update online GEF resources
      • Coordinate usage of social media to advertise program through the GEF Education Coordinator
    • Provide information, technical assistance and advice to students, staff, faculty, program participants and/or the public regarding program content, policies and activities
      • Act as primary contact and liaison for the program
      • Ensure all GEF projects are added to Western’s Campus Green Map
      • Ensure press releases are distributed to the campus community
      • Promote the GEF program to outside organizations and resources
    • Create connections to colleges, departments, clubs, and other groups to identify potential sustainability initiatives and generate program ideas suitable for program; assess cost effectiveness, technical feasibility and community acceptance. Build involvement and support for funded projects; support the goals and objectives of campus sustainability initiatives
    • Confer regularly with staff and outside entities regarding the interpretation and implementation of program policies; participate in establishing program standards and identifying areas for program development
    • Collaborate with the GEF Committee to support and promote program goals and efforts
      • Facilitate the development of an overarching strategy for project selection
      • Provide updates on program to the AS Vice President for Student Life and the GEF Committee
    • Work in conjunction with AS Vice President for Student Life and Campus Sustainability Manager in providing periodic and annual reports to the campus and AS Board on the status of the program
    • Attend meetings and/or conferences as program representative
  • Ensure GEF Grant Program Team cohesiveness and collaboration
    • Actively participate within the GEF Grant Program team, which includes the GEF Grant Program Position and the GEF education and outreach staff
    • Ensure all members of the GEF team are aware of other members’ efforts in order to increase the effectiveness of these efforts and to reduce redundancies
    • Ensure communication with the Associated Students Environmental & Sustainability Programs (ESP) office to promote collaborative efforts
    • Assist in the development of program promotion and education activities; provide final approval
  • Other duties
    • Perform other duties as needed or assigned by the WWU Campus Sustainability Manager
Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental science, economics or business or equivalent experience/education
  • Project management experience
  • Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
  • Basic computer skills including MS Word, Excel, email; ability to learn/use web software
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and opinions
  • Demonstrated project management experience and organizational skills; ability to effectively prioritize and multi-task multiple short and long-term projects at once to meet objectives and deadlines
  • Ability to work individually, within a team and as a team leader
  • Public speaking experience
Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of sustainability initiatives and methods for environmental accountability
  • Partnership building experience
  • Ability to work in a service-oriented environment with sometimes rapidly changing needs
  • Demonstrated traits of self-motivation and creativity
  • Financial or budgeting skills
  • Experience working within a diverse environment, including college students
Academic Emphasis: N/A
Job Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Salary: New hires typically begin at $2724/month including an excellent benefits package
Bargaining Union: PTE
Application Instructions and Requested Documents: Please log in below and submit your application via WWU’s Electronic Application System for Employment (EASE).  Note:  You will need to be using Internet Explorer to fully utilize our online application system.

A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.  You may cut and paste or upload your resume and cover letter as noted on the EASE application.

Other Information: Follow Western Employment on Facebook and WWUEmployment on Twitter
Job Posted: 7/23/2014
Closing Date: 8/8/2014
Recruitment #: 140428
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Providing Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination. EO/AA inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); EOO.WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.