Sustainability Director

About the role

Directs, plans, oversees, and evaluates all environmental/sustainability projects and programs for the Division. This includes short- and long-range strategic planning, talent management, fiscal accountability, quality management, and process improvement. Develops, recommends, and implements strategic organizational policies and procedures. Integrates multiple intergovernmental and non-governmental interests and stakeholders. Performs/participates in high-level policy development and implementation. Works in a close confidential relationship with the Supervisors and Elected Official. This is an appointed at-will position without tenure and is exempt from the career service system. Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting; may require travel within Salt Lake County.

Responsibilities

• Manages and directs Salt Lake County environmental projects and programs.
• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates environmental programs.
• Integrates multiple intergovernmental and non-governmental interests and stakeholders in achieving environmental/sustainability program goals.
• Collaborates with other County agencies to meet the goals of sustainability efforts in Salt Lake County.
• Supervises staff, which includes hiring, orienting, training, assigning, and reviewing work performance, annual work performance appraisals, and discipline.
• Gathers and measures data regarding environmental and economic progress on the effectiveness of programs.
• Justifies budget requests and program needs in the environmental arena.
• Works closely and directs division initiatives involving committees and subcommittees, County government officials, advisory boards, commissions, and departments, and updates the County on proposed environmental standards, trends, and technologies.
• Advises and/or recommends to the Mayor and County Council the formulation of the County’s sustainability policies and strategies.
• Exercises budgetary oversight over the Sustainability Division’s annual budget; defines division objectives and operating plans.
• Exercises independent discretionary decision-making on environmental issues that are complex, interpretive, and evaluative in nature.
• Prepares clear and concise records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials appropriate to the audience and setting.
• Collects, interprets, evaluates, and reports appropriate environmental and other applicable data in either quantitative or qualitative form; presents conclusions, findings, evaluations, advice, and recommendations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field, plus six (6) years of related experience, of which one (1) year must have been supervisory or administrative; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience. Education may not be substituted for the required supervisory/administrative experience.

Skills

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and deliver public speeches, presentations, and trainings.
• Perform budget planning and preparation.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information, prepare technical reports, and present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Work professionally with a variety of elected officials.
• Work independently and on a team.
• Multi-task, manage multiple projects, establish priorities, organize workload, and work effectively under deadline pressures.
• Negotiate complex issues having broad policy implications with a variety of stakeholders.
• Effectively manage and deal with conflict.
• Work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate proficiency with computer software related to the job-specific duties.
• Write federal, state, and local grant applications.
• Knowledge of current and emerging environmental/sustainability trends and programs, including but not limited to climate change, air quality, water quality, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
• Knowledge of current federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, tools, and techniques of program/project planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution and natural resource collaboration methods.
• Knowledge of data gathering and analysis methods and best practices.