[ES_JOBS_NET] Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Utah

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/93980

 


Open Date

05/13/2019


Requisition Number

PRN20694B


Job Title

Chief Sustainability Officer


Working Title

Chief Sustainability Officer


Job Grade

EXE


FLSA Code

Executive


Patient Sensitive Job Code?

No


Standard Hours per Week

40


Full Time or Part Time?

Full Time


Shift

Day


Work Schedule Summary

	

VP Area

Academic Affairs


Department

00002 - SR VP Academic Affairs Oper


Location

Campus


City

Salt Lake City, UT


Type of Recruitment

External Posting


Pay Rate Range

$150,000 or above based on qualifications and experience.


Close Date

06/15/2019


Open Until Filled

No


Job Summary

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER OPPORTUNITY:
The University of Utah invites nominations and applications for the position
of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). The CSO, reporting to the Senior Vice
President for Academic Affairs (SVPAA), is a vital part of the University of
Utah's leadership team and is responsible for strategic planning and
implementation of mission-driven institutional sustainability efforts at the
University of Utah.

The CSO leads the Sustainability Office (which oversees interdisciplinary
sustainability curricula, academic and community engagement), and the Global
Change and Sustainability Center (a cross-campus interdisciplinary research
hub), and is responsible for collaboration, accountability, and
communication around sustainability efforts.

The successful candidate will be a proven leader who can work closely with
the campus community to develop and maintain an integrated and robust
sustainability vision and associated processes that position the University
for success, aligned with the University's strategic goals. Candidates
should be knowledgeable in sustainability practice and scholarship, have
experience in managing budgets and people, and have experience in securing
both internal and external sources of funding. Experience in higher
education and a commitment to shared governance are strongly desired.
Candidates must also possess a relevant graduate degree and a terminal
degree is preferred.

GENERAL INFORMATION: 
The University of Utah (The U) is the state's public flagship institution of
higher education with an enrollment of approximately 24,735 undergraduate
and 8,251 graduate students, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation
among the 115 research universities with the "highest research activity" in
the nation. Forbes recently ranked the University of Utah as one of
America's best employers and U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of
the best national universities.

As one of the core values of the University of Utah, the U contributes to
more a sustainable world through research, teaching, and demonstrating best
practices in protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment on
the campus and environs-making it a great place to live, learn, work, play,
create, recreate, and visit (https://president.utah.edu/universitystrategy).

The University's Sustainability Office was created in 2007 and in 2008 the
University of Utah joined the President's Climate Commitment with a charge
to develop "an institutional plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and
expand the University's research and educational efforts related to
sustainability." The Sustainability Office was moved (organizationally) from
Facilities Management to Academic Affairs in 2014 and has been under interim
and part-time CSO leadership since that time. This search of an inaugural
CSO position demonstrates the University's commitment to sustainability.

In April 2019, the University's president signed an updated President's
Climate Leadership Commitment which incorporates resilience and provides a
systems-approach to mitigating and adapting to a changing climate. Also in
the spring of 2019, a student-led resolution to form a Presidential Task
Force on Carbon Neutrality was passed through the University's Academic
Senate.

The U is located in the Wasatch mountain range foothills overlooking Salt
Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, and the Great Basin's west desert. Salt Lake
City was recently ranked in the top ten in economic growth among large
metropolitan areas. The area offers unparalleled recreational opportunities,
with ten world-class ski resorts and several national parks within easy
access from the city, as well as an active arts culture. Additionally, SLC
is currently ranked 8th in the nation for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community. More
information about the Salt Lake City area can be found at
www.visitsaltlake.com.


Responsibilities

The Chief Sustainability Officer will provide senior administrative
leadership with strategic planning, implementation, and accountability for
mission-driven institutional sustainability efforts at the University of
Utah. This position will lead a team charged with sustainability efforts
across the campus, working in coordination and collaboration with other
senior university leaders including the SVPAA, the Chief Financial Officer,
and the Chief Facilities Officer or their designees.

The CSO leads the Sustainability Office, which engages the academic and
health sciences campuses, as well as operational units such as University
Health, Real Estate Administration, Auxiliary Services, and Athletics. As
the central hub of campus sustainability efforts, the Sustainability Office
is engaged in efforts to improve sustainability efforts in Education,
Research, Engagement, Operations, Health Care Delivery, and Planning and
Administration. The CSO and Sustainability Office work to engage and
collaborate with these important stakeholders.

In addition, the Global Change and Sustainability Center and the
Sustainability Education Advisory Committee are embedded within the
Sustainability Office, and their leadership reports directly to the CSO. The
Sustainability Office also supports a wide range of issues (e.g., climate
change adaptation, economic vitality, equity, food systems, transportation,
water conservation, waste reduction, etc.) with multiple focal groups (e.g.,
students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community). For details on the CSO and
campus sustainability activities, see https://sustainability.utah.edu.

The CSO will be expected to collect and analyze data to understand climate
and performance at the university and use this data to support informed and
collaborative decisions and interventions based on best practice. This
includes the consistent communication of progress and challenges to
university stakeholders.
Finally, working with the university community, the CSO will formulate and
articulate a Sustainability Action Plan that addresses all major elements of
the STARS program and current University of Utah ranking.

CSO RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
. Developing and implementing a strategic plan and comprehensive vision for
economic, equitable, and environmental sustainability on campus 
. Leading campus sustainability activities and acting as organizational
strategist to position the University of Utah as a leader in sustainability
in higher education
. Understanding and communicating the importance of sustainability to the
broader mission of the University of Utah
. Supporting the integration of sustainability goals into the University's
strategic planning, operating and capital budgeting, and academic and
research planning
. Developing and implementing an update to the 2010 Climate Action Plan
. Seeking external funding opportunities and supporting fundraising for the
Sustainability Office
. Managing the context, behaviors, politics, policies, and technologies that
shape implementation, leadership, and management of effective sustainability
efforts
. Understanding and identifying institutional data for data-driven
decisions, and promoting accountability for the sustainability mission of
the university
. Leading evidence-based practices that amplify sustainability in
operations, engagement, health care delivery, research, and education
. Managing annual and semi-annual sustainability reporting requirements
. Serving in the SVPAA's Academic Leadership Team


Minimum Qualifications

A Master's degree or equivalent is required; a Ph.D. or other terminal
degree is strongly preferred. At least five (5) years of related experience
in higher education sustainability is strongly desired, including experience
working with faculty, staff, and students in collaborative shared
governance, as well as experience with current best practices in
sustainability and knowledge of the daily operations of facilities and
environmental sustainability.


Preferences

	

Type

Benefited Staff


Special Instructions Summary

Applications, Nominations, and Inquiries
To apply, please upload the following three documents (1) a letter of
interest; (2) a resume; and (3) the names and contact information for at
least five references. Candidates will be notified before references are
contacted.

Screening of applications will begin July 8th and continue until the
position is filled. For additional information or to provide a nomination,
please contact Dean John Scheib, Committee Chair of the Chief Sustainability
Officer Search, via his assistant's e-mail address: cami.rives at utah.edu.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in
settings with students from diverse backgrounds, and possess a strong
commitment to improving access to higher education for historically
underrepresented students.


Additional Information


The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer
and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with
applicable federal and state laws, University of Utah policy of equal
employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or
ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation,
gender identity/expression, veteran's status, status as a qualified person
with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically
underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with
disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and
consistent with University policy and Utah state law.
To inquire about this posting, email:  <mailto:employment at utah.edu>
employment at utah.edu or call 801-581-2300. Reasonable accommodations in the
application process will be provided to qualified individuals with
disabilities. To request an accommodation or for further information about
University AA/EO policies, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity
and Affirmative Action, 201 S. Presidents Cr., Rm 135, (801) 581-8365
(V/TDD), email:  <mailto:oeo at umail.utah.edu> oeo at umail.utah.edu.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems
("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in
URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement
(usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447
for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving
monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement
rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801)
366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801)
581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background
check and/or drug screen.

 

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