The HRES Sustainability Engagement Program Manager will be focused on developing and running new programs to educate HRES residents about green living and sustainability efforts at Harvard and to facilitate changes in behavior among all HRES residents and tenants. The Program Manager will work closely with HRES and OFS to refine and prioritize the program work-plan. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Study Period and Program Development: The HRES Sustainability Engagement Manager will develop and implement a plan to study HRES property types to better understand the energy and waste reduction opportunities, communication strategies, and culture for each property or property type (large, medium, small). The study phase will include a review of:

Plug loads in the buildings

HVAC type and temperature controls for each major property

Tenant behaviors associated with energy use and waste (survey) and potentially effective incentives and programs through focus group discussions.

Common areas and energy conservation opportunities (laundry, common room, etc.)

Data collection and metrics available for measuring the impacts of the program (energy, recycling, water data)

Demographics and culture of each HRES Residential property (or group of properties), and existing social programs.

Communication practices and outreach opportunities in each property.

Program Implementation: The HRES Sustainability Engagement Manager will make recommendations and then develop and manage new programs targeting each property type, in coordination with the HRES Team. Specific programs will be developed and prioritized based on the results of the study period, but are likely to include the following:

Sustainability Rep Program: Hire and manage student reps and/or volunteers to lead peer-to-peer outreach and behavior change programs in specific properties/groups of properties.

Green Housing Certification Program: Manage the development and roll-out of this program, building on the pilot currently in development, a volunteer “Green Housing Certification” for residential residents,

Competitions/Incentives: Develop and manage competitions aimed at increasing energy conservation behaviors among tenants.

Events: Run green teas and other social/sustainability events, also tapping into existing events in the properties and events run by the Graduate Commons Coordinator.

Green Welcome Bags: Manage the Green Welcome bags project for all new HRES residents.

Signage/Material Assessments: Manage an annual portfolio-wide signage assessment to ensure signage, recycling bins, etc. are still in place/in good condition.

Green Leasing: Work with Leasing staff and communications personnel to identify green attributes of properties in marketing materials and highlight opportunities for occupant engagement at specific properties; research best practices for incentivizing energy conservation among tenants.

Green Office Program: Facilitate the use of Harvard’s Green Office 4 leaf program in Real Estate Properties.

Communications: Work with HRES and OFS Communications teams to develop a portfolio-wide communications strategy for HRES properties around sustainability, include monthly “Green Tip” communications, website stories, email updates, posters, and other press relating to program.

Other duties, as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

  • BA/BS required and 2-3 years of experience in environmental management with strong communications experience
  • Demonstrated interest in, knowledge of, and passion for environmental sustainability issues, green building, energy conservation, recycling, etc.
  • Excellent communication and outreach skills; strong presentation skills; strong interpersonal and persuasive communication skills.
  • Must be creative, enthusiastic, and entrepreneurial with a high level of energy and initiative;
  • Proven organizational skills and attention to detail needed;
  • Ability to work independently and to manage multiple projects and shifting responsibilities;
  • Strong relationship building and client management skills.
  • Ability to research energy conservation and waste reduction strategies;
  • High degree of flexibility, adaptability and general ability to respond to emerging opportunities and barriers in a constantly changing environment;Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint and publisher is required. An ability to learn Harvard systems and web software quickly is a requirement.
  • Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint and publisher is required. An ability to learn Harvard systems and web software quickly is a requirement.

Additional Qualifications

  • Experience managing volunteers or students preferred.
  • Masters in Environmental Sciences or professional degree (Business, Social Sciences, Urban Planning, etc) preferred.
  • Experience in implementing environmental education and awareness programs with large populations preferred;
  • Knowledge of universities preferred;
  • Basic understanding of green building, building technology and demand-side management helpful


Additional Information
The primary goals of this program are to:

1) Study and better understand the opportunities for waste and energy reduction from resident/tenant engagement in the HRES portfolio and recommend and implement new programs for engaging these populations.

2) Increase energy and waste reduction behaviors among the residents, particularly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with tenant life.

3) Educate the entire HRES residential community about green living and working best practices.

4) Communicate effectively with the entire HRES community about sustainability efforts at HRES and Harvard.

This position must be able to work independently, develop new initiatives from the start, think creatively, be able to manage multiple projects and people (students), track progress, and report to senior leaders at HRES. This position requires the ability to work with a diverse range of people at the University (including Assistant Directors, building managers, and students), must be able to successfully manage student workers, and have the ability to inspire others to create change at the University. The HRES Sustainability Engagement will be part of the Occupant Engagement Team at Harvard’s Office for Sustainability, and will report to the OFS Assistant Director, as well as indirectly reporting to the Assistant Directors for the HRES Housing and Real Estate portfolios.

The position will have primary office space with HRES, with temporary office space at the Office for Sustainability.

HRES Sustainability website: http://sustainability.hres.harvard.edu/icb/ icb.do

Office for Sustainability website, http://www.green.harvard.edu

Online App. Form: https://jobs.brassring.com/1033/asp/tg/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerID=25240&si teID=5341&AReq=23462BR