Conservation Program Coordinator

Conservation Program Coordinator Location: Rutherford Lane Campus JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. What Makes the City of Austin Special? Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives. Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits. Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System. Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure. Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support. Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities. Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration. By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country. ARR is hiring a Conservation Program Coordinator to help grow and retain businesses supporting the zero waste and circular economy industry. This position will be responsible for enterprises that focus on waste as a resource, circular design, and sustainable material innovation. Circular businesses rethink how products and services are designed, used and handled at the end of life. These businesses play an important part of Austin's shift towards achieving a sustainable circular economy, mitigating climate change and achieving environmental justice. This position will be part of the Circular Economy Program, but also participate as part of the Economic Development Small Business team. Job Description: Conservation Program Coordinator Purpose: Under minimal direction, this position is responsible for coordinating energy, water, or natural resource conservation programs, projects, and plans. Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Designs, develops, implements, and evaluates educational or outreach programs that promote energy, water, or natural resource conservation awareness and initiatives. Coordinates and manages educational or outreach events, small projects, contracts, marketing, and on-line literature content to promote energy, water, or natural resource conservation awareness and initiatives Analyzes energy, water, or natural resource conservation-related research findings to inform or make recommendations on program structure or program delivery to City leadership and other stakeholders. Develops, establishes, and manages service agreements with other programs, departments, and agencies. Researches energy, water, or natural resource conservation policies, best practices, and legislation to recommend changes to conservation initiatives. Prepares studies, reports, memoranda, briefs, or other written materials on energy, water, or natural resource conservation to inform customers, City leadership, and other stakeholders. Provides analytical support for policy briefs and program development related to energy, water, or natural resource conservation. Prepares grant applications to obtain funding for programs related to energy, water, or natural resource conservation. Reviews permit or plan revisions with project engineers and contractors. Reviews, evaluates, and recommends changes to technical reports, studies, and other departmental written materials. Provides technical advice to Conservation Program personnel. Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: May provide leadership and lead cross-functional and departmental conservation project teams, work assignments, evaluation, training, and provide guidance to others. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed. Knowledge of energy or water efficiency technologies, practices, programs and rebate requirements. Knowledge of applicable building codes, energy or water retrofit requirements and specifications. Knowledge of safety practices and procedures. Knowledge of department energy or water resource initiatives and targets. Knowledge of construction materials, practices and procedures. Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws. Knowledge of City practice, policy and procedures. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill in using computers and related software. Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing. Skill in data analysis and problem solving. Skill in planning and organizing. Ability to negotiate. Ability to determine quality of materials, workmanship and compliance with specifications. Ability to handle conflict and uncertain situations. Ability to lead cross-functional and departmental project teams. Ability to operate and maintain testing and diagnostic equipment. Ability to use graphic instructions, such as blueprints, schematic drawings, plans, maps or other visual aids. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public. Minimum Qualifications: Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture, Business, Environmental Studies, Natural Science, Planning, and Resource Management or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of related experience. Master's Degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Licenses and Certifications Required: None. Preferred Qualifications: Experience or education in a field related to sustainability, circular economy or zero waste. Knowledge of business development acumen, such as economic development, small business financing, start-up funding, cluster development, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Experience working with multiple stakeholders to host or organize events, such as business pitch events or community education events Ability to travel to more than one location Notes to Candidate: Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides many services to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. The City of Austin has a stated commitment to achieving Zero Waste, an initiative that requires new thinking, policy, and communications about the way we buy, use and dispose of everyday items. This position will be part of team that seeks to provide Austinites with the knowledge and ability to extend the life of their everyday items; provides circular economy businesses with economic development support that enables them to create good jobs, especially for underrepresented populations; and fosters a resilient zero waste ecosystem in Central Texas. ARR is hiring a Conservation Program Coordinator to help grow and retain businesses supporting the zero waste and circular economy industry. This position will be responsible for enterprises that focus on waste as a resource, circular design, and sustainable material innovation. Circular businesses rethink how products and services are designed, used and handled at the end of life. These businesses play an important part of Austin's shift towards achieving a sustainable circular economy, mitigating climate change and achieving environmental justice. This position will be part of the Circular Economy Program but also participate as part of the Economic Development Small Business team. This position will be expected to: Establish and maintain relationships with local businesses through activities such as conducting business retention visits and facilitating industry roundtables. Establish and maintain relationships with community ecosystem partners (e.g. workforce development, chamber, higher education, and other economic development community partners). Identify and compile data and report on trends within the local industry. Coordinate existing programming to encourage and help grow small businesses and entrepreneurs in the circular ecosystem, such as Circular Accelerator, Circular Showcase and Connect and Share. Maintain a high level of communication and transparency as they collaborate across two different departments. If deemed appropriate based on skill set, assist with identifying business recruitment and expansion prospects (including developing leads, conducting site visits, facilitating connections with community partners) The top candidate must possess discretion in handling details of a highly confidential and sensitive nature. They should be collaborative, model professional demeanor, have integrity, and high energy with internal and external customers. They must also have the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The top candidate should have excellent comprehension, business writing, proofreading, and communication skills. This role also requires the ability to move or lift at least 50 lbs, as the employee may have the responsibility to set up events. Pay Range: $68,660 - $85,830.00 per year. Your detailed and complete employment application will be used to evaluate your qualifications and determine your salary if you are selected for this position. Days & Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Employees will be required to work some early mornings, after hours, weekends, and special events due to business needs. Address: 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754 Application: Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position, shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees in Good Standing who are Candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview. Your detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. The responses to the supplemental questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on your application. Resume/Cover Letter: Please upload your resume and cover letter along with your completed application. Your application should reflect your complete employment history (to include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., “see resume” or “see LinkedIn Profile”). References and Employment Verification: Please include in your cover letter three professional references, with one being your current or most recent supervisor. Virtual Interviews: Austin Resource Recovery may conduct virtual interviews. 90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other similar positions within Austin Resource Recovery outside of the division listed above. Nepotism Policy: The City of Austin Nepotism Policy states, “No person, regardless of job title or length of tenure with the City, shall be employed in a position in which the relative has direct or indirect supervisory authority regarding the terms and conditions of their relative’s employment.” Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. Benefits: Working with the City of Austin at Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Learn more about City of Austin benefits. This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This is a federal program designed to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans upon meeting program requirements. Military/Veteran: Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of interview. Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All Austin Resource Recovery locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any ARR worksite – including parking lot or in any personal vehicle located on the premises. Essential/Critical Employee Designation: Some positions are designated as critical or essential. Employees in these roles are required to report to work during emergencies or when operations are modified. This may include working from a designated site or an alternative work location. Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time. We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system. EEO Statement for City of Austin: The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the city will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the city discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1. EEO Statement for City of Austin: The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.