Principal Sustainability Professional

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Engineering and Architecture Principal Professional

Working Title: Principal Sustainability Professional

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $80,000

Position #00825470 - Requisition #34829

This position is funded until June 30, 2027

Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is the state's premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through break through innovations and impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

CU Denver is seeking a Principal Sustainability Professional who can lead the campus' efforts in sustainability, including waste diversion, reduction in resource consumption, energy use and emissions, and sustainability education and advocacy. This position will have the advantage of working alongside other Facilities Management and Planning team members, staff from the Auraria Campus Sustainable Campus Program (SCP), other CU campuses, the CU System Office and passionate climate advocates on the campus including students, staff and faculty. A significant portion of the duties and responsibilities of this position will be to seek and acquire funding from outside sources such as grants, rebates, public private partnerships (ESCOs), and loans for projects and initiatives that advance CU Denver climate goals and comply with state mandates around Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and water consumption. Other primary responsibilities include tracking key sustainability metrics (for the purposes of reporting progress to the State of Colorado, CU Denver leadership, the broader CU Denver community, the CU Board of Regents, and the CU System Office), overseeing the annual President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge, representing CU Denver on working groups, committees and forums related to sustainability, and serving as CU Denver's primary liaison to the SCP staff.

CU Denver is committed to funding this position until June 30, 2027. Funding beyond that time period is contingent on the success of the principal professional and partners in acquiring funding for projects that align with climate goals and reduce future operating costs.

Principal Sustainability Professional

What you will do:

• Seek and acquire funding from outside sources such as grants, rebates, public private partnerships (ESCOs), and loans for projects and initiatives that advance CU Denver climate goals and comply with state mandates around Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and water consumption and work with other team members in Facilities Management and Planning to manage those projects.
• Track key sustainability metrics as required by the State of Colorado and as identified in the Auraria Campus Climate Action Plan and report on these metrics as required by state agencies and to CU Denver leadership, the broader CU Denver community, the CU Board of Regents, and the CU System Office. Some examples include greenhouse gas emissions, energy use intensity, and water consumption. These will be tracked through building automation systems, utility bills and other sources in partnership witth Facilities Management staff.
• Oversee the annual President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge for the Denver Campus.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CU Denver and the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program. This could include working in partnership to publicize events, communicate the campus' climate action goals, and communicate on the progress made toward meeting these goals.
• Engage with the CU Denver community on sustainability efforts including the creation of any working groups or communication mechanisms that the principal professional deems would foster a culture of climate advocacy.
• Represent CU Denver on working groups, committees and similar that are sustainability focused or likely to include sustainability topics.
• Create and maintain a sustainability web page within the Facilities Management and Planning site.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

• A Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in education and experience.
• Three (3) years active working experience in sustainability, energy management, or other related fields that align with the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description.
• Experience acquiring funding for sustainability related projects through performance contracts, grants, rebates, and other alternatives to university funding.
• Experience working with partners to coordinate capital improvement projects with a sustainability focus.
• Demonstrated record of executing programmatic sustainability initiatives.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience working in an academic setting either as an employee of an institution or working with an institution or institutions as a private contractor
• Experience prioritizing and completing projects within a budget and measuring success through metrics
• Experiencing with energy performance contracting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of persons and entities, internal and external to the organization.
• Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently
• Ability to communicate a effectively, both orally and in writing- particularly in the context of articulating a vision and getting others to align with that vision
• Ability to creatively overcome obstacles and be persistent.

Conditions of Employment

• This position follows a hybrid work structure

As of 7/1/2023, The University of Colorado recommends employees be fully vaccinated from the COVID-19, but is not required. COVID recommendations and information can be found at: https://www.ucdenver.edu/coronaviru

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $80,000

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefit

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by September 24th, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

1. A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
2. A current CV/resume
3. List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

Diversity and Equity

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse faculty and staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equity in education and employment.

Questions should be directed to Tawnya Boulier, Tawnya.Boulier@UCDenver.edu