Senior Sustainability Officer
Overview:
The City of Waterloo has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Sustainability Officer to join our team.
Reporting within the CAO’s Office, the Senior Sustainability Officer will lead corporate and community sustainability plans and actions, with a significant focus on climate change action. The ideal candidate will have a high degree of initiative; will be able to work independently; and, as a part of a wider team of City staff, community members, non-governmental organizations, local businesses, industries, agencies and post secondary institutions. Possessing excellent diplomacy and communication skills, the role will involve transforming climate action goals into results-based outcomes in a municipal setting. The work of the Senior Sustainability Officer will ultimately embed sustainability practices across City departments and within the community to fulfill Waterloo’s commitments to environmental performance and greenhouse gas reduction.
Accountabilities:
- Recommend, develop, implement, and monitor short, medium, and long range plans and actions that contribute to the City’s sustainability framework
- Develop and implement the City’s first Corporate Climate Action Plan (CorCAP)
- Recommend and implement actions from environmental plans and strategies from across the organization (eg. Corporate Climate Change Adaptation Plan) and within the community (eg. TransformWR) based on the City’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050
- Ensure work complies with, aligns or exceeds existing international, national, and provincial frameworks, legislation, and targets
- Identify funding sources, collaborate on applications, apply and manage project/program funding for various sustainability initiatives
- Act as the staff liaison for the City of Waterloo Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Maintain positive relations across the organization, with interested parties within the community, and other levels of government and agencies in order to advance the corporate and community sustainability agenda for the corporation
- Develop, implement, and maintain a corporate environmental sustainability report card to track progress in achieving environmental sustainable goals and objectives
- Act as the primary contact and provide information to the public and external agencies on matters related to the City’s sustainability initiatives and actions
- Research, synthesize, and communicate new or emerging ideas and practices in the realm of environmental sustainability and make recommendations where appropriate
- Lead efforts related to the localization of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Four year honours degree in Environmental Science or related field with 4-7 years of progressive experience and leadership in the field of sustainability with a focus on environmental sustainability; equivalent combinations of education and related experience will be considered
- Advanced and comprehensive knowledge of sustainability as it relates to climate change, energy, water, waste management, and corporate social responsibility on environmental affairs in a municipal setting
- Advanced knowledge of sustainability legislation including but not limited to the Energy Conservation Responsibility Act, Waste-Free Ontario Act, The Paris Agreement, and provincial and regional planning frameworks and mandates
- Advanced knowledge of industry standards (i.e. greenhouse gas emission standards) and measurement systems
- Strong analytical and written communication skills to prepare strategic as well as technical documents such as sustainability plans, business cases, reports, issue papers, and grant submissions
- Strong presentation skills to effectively communicate progress of sustainability plans and programs to senior leadership, Council, the media, and other levels of government
- Project management and leadership skills to plan and implement sustainability projects, programs, and initiatives across the organization
- Proven ability to engage with internal staff, the public, and other external parties and agencies on sustainability initiatives to generate interest and participation
- Ability to monitor and keep up-to-date on emerging trends, technologies, and environmental concerns or issues
- MS Office skills
COVID-19 Vaccination:
In accordance with the City of Waterloo’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, new City of Waterloo employees (or employee’s re-hired after a minimum of 3 months) are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire, subject to accommodations required in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
*The successful incumbent will be eligible to apply for a hybrid remote working arrangement, subject to Manager approval
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter in one document through the online application process. For posting and application details please visit: www.waterloo.ca/careers
Be You @ Waterloo
At the City of Waterloo, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. All interested and qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, Black persons, non-Black racialized persons/persons of colour, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ and those interested in joining our team are encouraged to apply.
Accommodation
The City of Waterloo is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive, and barrier-free. Accommodations in accordance with the Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation are available throughout all stages of the recruitment process. For accommodation during the application process, applicants are requested to make their needs known via email at recruitment@waterloo.ca, quoting the position and competition number. Applicants advanced through to subsequent stages of the recruitment process will be provided with additional opportunities to make their needs known.
We’ve Got You Covered
The City of Waterloo strives to be an employer of choice for strong talent dedicated to serving our community, and
offer the following:
– Flexible work schedules to support and nurture work-life balance;
– Competitive wages and a fulsome employer paid benefits package, including paid sick leave, long-term
disability, OMERS pension and an Employee and Family Assistance Program;
– A staff team dedicated to fostering and advancing action to support the organization’s ongoing commitment to
Indigenous Initiatives, Anti-Racism, Accessibility and Equity;
– Substantial internal and external training and development opportunities;
– Compassionate and caring organization that promotes and embraces a culture of health, safety and wellness;
– Strong commitment to providing and maintaining a psychologically safe workplace that is respectful, inclusive,
and where all individuals are valued;
– Paid vacation and personal days, paid float holiday(s), and an overtime bank;
– Employee Purchase Programs (Corporate Cell Phone plans, Computer Purchase Plan, etc.);
– City of Waterloo Staff Recreation Pass;
– Anniversary milestone gifts, starting at 5 years of service for regular part-time and full-time staff; and,
– So much more!
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