Sustainability Program Manager

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following or a related field: Environmental Science, Business Administration, Public Administration;

• At least two years’ experience in a sustainability field required;

• Must be able to work independently during irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Director of Maintenance & Operations, the Sustainability Program Manager will:

Lead and Oversee Programs

• Manage District-wide sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency and electrification, waste reduction, water conservation, toxic chemical elimination, air and water quality, sustainable food, sustainable transportation, and green building.
• Develop, supervise, and execute facilities-related programs that reduce pollution, improve resource conservation, and lower utility costs.

Energy Management

• Develop and monitor the District’s energy management program in alignment with Board policy and in collaboration with the facilities, maintenance, and transportation departments.
• Implement strategies to reduce utility consumption, control energy usage, and support cost-saving measures.

Education and Outreach

• Design and deliver training, workshops, and awareness campaigns for staff, students, and the community to encourage sustainable practices.
• Promote a culture of environmental stewardship and encourage participation in District sustainability efforts.

Communication and Collaboration

• Build and maintain positive public relations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, interpreting and presenting technical data clearly.

Professional Skills

• Work independently with sound judgment and strong decision-making skills. o Demonstrate persuasiveness in advancing sustainability initiatives.
• Maintain proficiency in computer applications and data analysis tools to support program management.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Provide oversight and coordination for District-wide sustainability initiatives, serving as the primary point Rev. 11.04.2025 Page 2 of 3 of contact for staff, students, and community members;

• Advise and support the Chief Business Officer on energy conservation, capital projects, sustainable practices in design, materials, and resource consumption;

• Develop, implement, and monitor sustainability programs, policies, and procedures to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and overall environmental performance;

• Perform regular “walk-through” audits of District facilities to ensure compliance with the District’s sustainability goals and initiatives;

• Manage the District’s energy management systems, ensuring efficient operation, regular updates, and staff training;

• Conduct regular audits of District facilities to assess energy and water use, ventilation, compliance with sustainability policies, and overall building performance;

• Oversee operational practices for buildings, including weekday, weekend, holiday, and summer schedules to optimize energy conservation;

• Track, analyze, and maintain records of energy and water consumption; prepare reports for District leadership, site administration, and the community;

• Lead education and outreach efforts, including communications, training, workshops, and newsletters, to promote sustainability awareness and engagement;

• Support Student Nutrition Services and other departments in sustainability-related initiatives, including food, transportation, and facilities;

• Collaborate with internal departments (maintenance, operations, facilities, transportation) and external partners (city, community organizations, agencies) to advance shared sustainability goals;

• Actively participate as the District liaison to sustainability or sustainability-related committees;

• Provide support to student sustainability clubs and organizations in the District;

• Research, evaluate, and recommend new sustainability technologies, practices, and funding opportunities;

• Participate in District and site sustainability committees and provide regular communication with principals and staff about site-level initiatives and building performance;

• Assist with grant writing, reporting, and compliance for sustainability-related resources and programs;

• Represent the District with federal, state, and local agencies, and monitor relevant policy and regulatory trends;

• Promote District sustainability efforts through media opportunities, community engagement, and public reporting.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with architects, subcontractors, contractors, site administrators, and staff;

• Provide outstanding interpersonal skills;

• Work effectively in committees and groups;

• Prepare presentations and make effective written and oral reports;

• Speak to small, mid-size, and large groups;

• Analyze and interpret technical data;

• Exercise independent work ethic;

• Exercise of good judgment in implementation of policy;

• Maintain favorable public relations;

• Garner cooperation from staff District-wide for the purpose of achieving sustainability goals;

• Communicate effectively and persuasively;

• Exercise a large measure of diplomacy;

• Work independently; • Exercise good judgment;

• Maintain positive public relations;

• Use a variety of computer software; Rev. 11.04.2025 Page 3 of 3

• Interpret technical data;

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate with technical and non-technical individuals;

• Exercise initiative in obtaining and analyzing facts to arrive at an appropriate course of action.

POSITION REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Analyzing and interpreting technical materials, such as equipment specifications and budget data;

• Conducting meetings and making effective presentations;

• Working effectively with representatives of government agencies, private contractors, facilities designers, equipment manufacturers, and District staff;

• Preparing clear and concise reports and making recommendations;

• Collecting, analyzing, and explaining statistical and budgetary data;

• Organizing and prioritizing work under the pressure of multiple projects and deadlines;

• Techniques of preparation for cost estimates.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Legal Authorization to work in the U.S.;

• Maintain a valid California Driver’s License;

• Ability to pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint clearance;

• Within 60 days of hire, provision of TB (tuberculin) clearance, as mandated by the California

Education Code.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, turn, talk and hear, and taste and smell. The employee frequently is required to use their hands to write, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift arms above the shoulders to point, reach, touch, pull, or lift.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment includes working directly with young children. Employees will occasionally work at a computer.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Palo Alto Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation. PAUSD is an equal-opportunity employer in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws.