Environmental Program Manager - Building Services

About the role

The Environmental Program Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and executing environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance programs for Albemarle County Public Schools' facilities. This position supports the ACPS Strategic Plan and initiatives through the research, implementation, management, and continual improvement of division-wide sustainability programs.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary operational resource in the development and implementation of climate protection programs, plans, and initiatives.
• Integrates with and assists other School Division departments and staff which intersect with environmental programs and initiatives, including but not limited to the Instruction, Transportation, Child Nutrition, and Technology departments.
• Provides project management on selected environmental and sustainability projects and assists with the development and implementation of others, including partnering with external agencies as needed.
• Researches, pursues, and administers grant opportunities related to energy, climate protection, fleet electrification, sustainability education, and pollution prevention as opportunities arise.
• Develops operational strategies and identifies opportunities to implement the objectives of the Climate Action Plan.
• Serves as the primary ACPS staff advisor and facilitates meetings for the Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES), including compiling data and assisting with the committee’s annual report to the School Board.
• Manages the implementation of SMART goals developed by ACES, turning goals into actions and tracking sustainability projects to achieve committee goals.
• Develops and maintains informational dashboards to track performance of sustainable projects and shares utility, energy, and water usage data with stakeholders and the public in response to ACES and the ACPS Strategic Plan using benchmarking tools.
• Serves as the technical expert on new building design committees and steering committees regarding implementation of sustainable principles, including net-zero and carbon-neutral, High Performance Building Design, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Energy Star programs.
• Implements environmentally sustainable projects and standards in alignment with the ACPS Strategic Plan.
• Coordinates with local non-profit entities and develops public-private partnerships to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy in the school division.
• Manages the ACPS renewable energy program including analysis of best practices, performance tracking of existing arrays, managing solar power purchase agreements (PPAs), and evaluating renewable energy credits.
• Coordinates, in partnership with the Transportation Department, a transition plan towards a zero emissions fleet of vehicles including school buses, motor pool vehicles, charging infrastructure, and workplace EV chargers.
• Serves as the responsible staff member for ACPS regulated environmental systems, including five Virginia Department of Health-regulated drinking water systems, VPDES stormwater permits, underground storage tank facilities, asbestos (AHERA), hazardous waste, EPCRA Community Right-to-Know reporting, and indoor environmental quality programs.
• Manages sustainable waste programs including commercial recycling, composting, waste minimization, and division-wide hazardous and regulated waste profiling and disposal.
• Manages well-water testing, sampling, and treatment as required by VDH at five waterworks locations (including PFAS and lead and copper regulatory compliance), and serves as a liaison between project managers and VDH during well water system upgrades.
• Analyzes energy and water usage data using reports, charts, and statistical analyses to detect abnormalities in usage and conducts energy and water audits at school facilities to improve efficiency and develops conservation projects.
• Works with the ACPS maintenance team to ensure compliance of storm water facilities with approved maintenance plans and delivers training as required by the County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit.
• Serves as the ACPS representative to the Rivanna Stormwater Education Partnership (RSEP), a partnership of local municipalities engaging in public outreach on issues of stormwater management.
• Oversees the Building Services workplace safety and OSHA compliance program, coordinating training, equipment, and records for respiratory protection, fit testing, hearing conservation, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), and ladder safety.
• Serves as the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) for designated middle schools and alternative learning centers, managing the division's Chemical Hygiene Plan, laboratory safety walkthroughs, and SDS database compliance.
• Assists with the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, helping to coordinate with contract vendors, conducting environmental evaluations of problem sites, and partnering with health services on urgent pest/wildlife issues as needed.
• Evaluates school safety and security measures, works with the ACPS Office of School Safety and Security to help implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) survey actions, and participates on the team of school, police, fire, and emergency management staff to conduct building safety reviews as required by DCJS.
• Provides guidance on environmental and safety webpage and external communications.
• Exercises a high level of independence with minimal day-to-day oversight by supervisor.
• Supervises and evaluates assigned professional staff, including the Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Specialist(s), as well as program interns and specialized compliance contractors.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferably in environmental sciences or a related field and three (3) years of professional work experience coordinating environmental compliance and/or sustainability projects is required.
• Master’s degree in environmental science or a related field is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Strong computer skills, including fluency with Microsoft Office products and utility benchmarking software.
• Attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Knowledge of the sustainable built environment, green building practices.
• Ability to develop, implement and maintain data management systems and environmental compliance records.
• Ability to develop and deliver complex reports and presentations to senior leadership and advisory committees.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to devise detailed procedures and methodology.
• Understanding of OSHA regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including public drinking water systems, stormwater management, hazardous waste, and underground storage tanks.
• Thorough understanding of workplace safety programs, OSHA regulations, and chemical hygiene protocols.
• Ability to supervise, evaluate, and direct the work of professional staff, interns, and compliance contractors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school division staff, regulatory inspectors, county officials, and the general public.