Position:                                            Director of Ecological Sustainability

Status:                                               Exempt, Full Time

Job Summary:   The Director of the newly established office of Ecological Sustainability for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth facilitates the mission of the Congregation in its commitment to care for the earth. The Director will collaborate with groups within the Congregation in the United States and in India, Nepal, Belize and Botswana as well as with national and international organizations.

• Sustainability can be defined as an ability or capacity of something to be maintained indefinitely. It involves methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources. It’s about taking what we need to live now, without jeopardizing the potential for people in the future to meet their needs. It must include environmental, economic and social sustainability.
• The guiding rules of sustainability are that people must share with each other and care for the Earth. Humanity must take no more from nature than nature can replenish. This in turn means adopting lifestyles and development paths that respect and work within nature’s limits. The essential needs of the world’s poor should be given overriding priority.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Guide the SCN Congregation in developing long-term sustainability efforts in keeping with the SCN mission, vision and operating principles.
• Facilitate the planning of an SCN future that moves beyond sustainability to the practice of regenerative principles.
• Foster a culture of ecological spirituality in reverence of the sacredness and interconnectedness of all of God’s creation.
• Offer expertise and provide support to Congregation Leadership Teams with sustainability initiatives within the United States, Belize, India, Nepal and Botswana and in efforts to influence public policy on ecological issues in collaboration with justice committees and social activists.
• Provide educational opportunities for leadership, sisters and associates to grow in understanding of sustainable and regenerative principles to inform congregational decisions.
• Collaborate in the long-term planning for the use of SCN properties including permanent conservation of open land.
• Build effective partnerships with local, national and international organizations to support sustainability and regenerative designs.
• Collaborate with SCN Communications personnel to secure media coverage of sustainability initiatives and to provide information for the SCN web site and social media regarding the ecological efforts of the sisters throughout the world.
• Represent the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to the broader community with regard to ecological issues.
• Keep current with the latest research related to ecological best practices and issues so as to be a thought leader for the SCN Congregation.
• Prepare budgets, eco-stewardship reports and grant applications.
• Other duties may be assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  MS in Environmental Studies or equivalent training and experience.  Successful candidates would possess both academic and practical experience in ecology and leadership. Two years professional experience within the sustainability/ecological field with preference   given to experience in multiple sites within an organization. Experience with metric-driven ecological ratings systems such as AASHE STARS, Global Reporting, LEED, Living Building Challenge or Green Globes.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  Familiarity with Earth spirituality. Ability to be creative and a “thought leader.” The ability to investigate ecological best practices and report back to Leadership. Ability to travel nationally and internationally as necessary. Computer skills to include Microsoft Office.

Deadline for Application:                                January 31, 2017 4:00 p.m.

For more information or to apply, contact the SCN Human Resource Office,

P O Box 21, Nazareth, KY  40048, 502-348-1504.

 Or apply at:  www.scnfamily.org