Director of Sustainability

Posting #: 4145

Department Description:
Our world faces increasingly complex and urgent challenges that affect our collective environmental, social and economic well-being. Responding to these challenges in a holistic manner is the essence of sustainability, and the University of San Diego recognizes its responsibility to be a part of the response.


University Description:
The University of San Diego, a contemporary and engaged Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanitys urgent challenges.


Detailed Description:
The Director of Sustainability oversees the management, implementation and development of a comprehensive sustainability program with the mission to minimize USD's environmental footprint, support new initiatives for sustainable development, encourage and promote integration and collaboration with USD's academic, research and educational programs, and realize meaningful operational cost savings through efficiency programs. With the Energy Manager, this position plans, directs, manages, administers and evaluates the university energy management and utility budget. Also, is responsible for overseeing the departmental budget. The Director is responsible for the development of a strategic long-range plan for sustainability, including a comprehensive revision of the Climate Action Plan for the university to achieve climate neutrality by 2035. Such plans will focus on strategies that provide benefits in all three primary areas of sustainability (environmental, financial and social impacts), and capitalize on their interrelationships as appropriate. Program initiatives will span multiple program areas - including energy, water, waste, recycling, and transportation - and will reach multiple audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

The Director leads the Office of Sustainability through enhancing and assessing existing efforts, creating and promoting new efforts, and establishing a collaborative environment to share ideas and partner with campus colleagues to implement sustainability practices. The Director supervises personnel that are responsible for:

• On-going greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and implementation of GHG reduction measures;
• Reduction of overall energy consumption (BTUs);
• Reduction of campus electrical demand (kW);
• Increasing the use of renewable energy, both generated on-site and purchased ;
• Education of campus audiences in identifying and adopting sustainable practices while on campus and beyond;
• Researching and proposing alternatives for electricity purchasing that positively impact the financial standing and environmental footprint of the university.

Utilities Management

The Director oversees a comprehensive strategic energy management program including utility forecasting, purchasing, and budgeting. This position is responsible for managing the implementation of the 2021 USD Energy Master Plan, which is the cornerstone of the new Climate Action Plan. Other responsibilities include:

• Manages the relationships with and is the primary contact for all utility providers, including SDG&E, the City of San Diego, Calpine Energy Solutions, San Diego Community Power, Bloom Energy, and GCL New Energy (Solar). Administers utility contracts to ensure best value for the university.
• In partnership with Facilities Management 'Planning Design & Construction' and 'Building and Grounds Operations' teams, oversees the development of technical specifications for energy conservation projects and programs; direct the design of energy conservation measures, including project cost estimates, payback periods, and return on investments.
• Develops and monitors annual utility budgets electricity, natural gas, and water.
• Ensures the university meets all reporting requirements regarding energy use, including but not limited to State and City of San Diego requirements under AB802.
• Identify and promote water efficiency initiatives that realize cost savings for the university.
• It is also likely that the Sustainability Office will assume responsibility for waste management efforts on campus, including administering contracts and moving the campus towards zero waste. Although it is envisioned that the day-to-day responsibilities will fall under the duties of the Sustainability Coordinator, the Director will oversee this effort.

Planning, Promotion and Engagement

• Serves as co-chair of the Advisory Council on Care for Our Common Home. In this role, lead the update to the 2016 Climate Action Plan and foster ad hoc committees focused on shorter-term, discrete sustainability projects and programs.
• Partners with the Director of the Care for Our Common Home Pathway to bridge academics and operations in support of sustainability efforts across campus.
• Supports and promotes experiential learning opportunities for students to address sustainability challenges on campus via the concept of using the 'campus as a laboratory.