Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425-acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

The Program Manager in the Office of Sustainability directs the following sustainability initiatives: the residential Green Advisors, including their role in New Student Orientation; the Sustainability Advocates for staff & faculty offices and their associated projects with student Green Advisors; community education and event planning for the annual UN climate conference delegation and/or other engaged scholarship activities in collaboration with Environmental Studies and the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility; and design and implementation of the Zero Waste Plan. The Program manager convenes the Zero Waste Working Group and leads budgeting for and installation of campus waste stations, oversees the campus-wide compost system and the Worthmore Free Store and move-out donation process, supervises waste consultants, and designs and leads presentation of reduction and diversion educational strategies. The Program Manager also takes a leadership role with campus food growing efforts and assists with the practicum research of Environmental Studies applied learning courses.

In conjunction with the Director of Sustainability, the Program Manager assists with supervision of the Sustainability and Engaged Scholarship Fellows or other staff positions that develop in the office, supervises paid student interns (usually 3-8 annually), and manages consultants for a variety of projects. The Program Managers manages the day-to-day functioning of the Office of Sustainability. The Program Manager is the primary organizer for the campuswide sustainability events, mentors students in the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship program, co-chairs the Sustainability Committee, convenes the Food Systems Working Group, represents the College at regional and national sustainability conferences, and serves as a liaison between the College and community groups. The Program Manager proposes new initiatives, particularly related to food system resilience, to advance the College’s sustainability goals.

Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of relevant work experience or possess an advanced degree and 3 years or more of relevant work experience. They must demonstrate an interest in social and environmental sustainability, change management, and evidence-based design through previous work, volunteer experience, and/or academic study. Excellent skills in verbal and written communications, data compilation and analysis, and organization are also required.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide project management, research, and leadership for on campus sustainability activities.
• Direct the Green Advisors Program, the Sustainability Advocates Program, the campus compost system & waste management at all-campus events, the Worthmore Free Store and move-out process, and other Office of Sustainability programs.
• Co-chair the Sustainability Committee, and chair the Zero Waste and Food Systems Working Groups.
• Support practicum research for campus as a living lab courses supported by the Office of Sustainability.
• Assist with and/or directly supervise the staff Sustainability and Engaged Scholarship Fellows, the student President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship, paid student interns, and regular Office of Sustainability events.
• Advance the College’s 2035 carbon neutrality goal, Zero Waste goal, and other sustainability educational & behavioral targets.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Take the lead in the general management of the Office of Sustainability and take on new projects as identified in conjunction with the Director.
• Coordinate closely with Environmental Services to foster goodwill between the two departments, and to ensure that feedback is meaningfully incorporated; participate as an ad hoc member of the Environmental Studies committee.
• Coordinate with Auxiliary Services (which includes Campus Dining), Grounds, the Scott Arboretum, the Good Food Project (student club) and other stakeholders on the development of campus programming and facilities/grounds related to campus food growing and food security.
• Lead coordination with the Lang Center for Social and Civic Responsibility and faculty from across multiple academic departments to support on campus and community-based learning opportunities in courses.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct the Green Advisors Program by managing the hiring, residential placement, training, and weekly supervision of these student peer leaders.
• Direct the Sustainability Advocates Program by managing the selection, training, and project oversight of staff and faculty members who are designated to participate.
• Assist in the supervision of the Sustainability and Engaged Scholarship Fellows, and other office staff positions that might develop by overseeing their day-to-day tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of work experience or an advanced degree and 3 or more years or more of relevant experience
• Demonstrated interest in environmental or social sustainability, change management, and evidence-based design through previous work, volunteer experience, and/or academic experience.
• Knowledge and experience in two or more of the following subject areas: sustainable food systems, zero waste systems, communicating sustainability, climate change, environmental justice
• Excellent verbal and written communication, data compilation and analysis, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in relevant field strongly preferred (required for those with fewer than five years of work experience)
• 5 or more years of relevant work experience (required for those without an advanced degree).

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.