Emory University
EN-9: Staff Professional Development and Training

The Office of Sustainability Initiatives runs a Sustainability Representatives program in which each academic and research building designates a staff or faculty member to participate in training on sustainability. Reps then conduct peer-to-peer outreach by training and teaching their building occupants about recycling, energy and water-saving strategies, sustainable food issues, and other relevant topics. Reps assemble monthly for educational and planning meetings. This program is both a professional development program and a peer-to-peer outreach tool. 

Green Offices at Emory and Green Labs at Emory are voluntary programs that train staff on integrating knowledge and skills into Emory's workspaces. Certified Offices and Labs are designated with a public plaque and certificate, and individuals may use an email signature designation for their workspace certification. Training is provided by Office of Sustainability Initiatives staff and trained interns. 

Office of Sustainability Initiatives staff and trained interns provide Emory event planners training in preparation for meeting Emory's Zero Waste Commencement commitment. Event planners are offered online training year-round on sustainable event planning and are invited to the annual Sustainable Events Symposium to learn from each other and sustainability experts. Additionally, event planners engage with the OSI staff throughout the year through the sustainable events certification process.

Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZWAs) empower staff (as well as students and faculty) with the knowledge and resources to actualize the Sustainability Vision goals about reducing and diverting waste. It is critical to foster a community that recognizes the value of materials management and its intersections with environmental justice, resource conservation, and a regenerative economy. Through training provided by OSI, ZWAs gain the tools and leadership skills to educate others and the agency to share feedback on how to improve Emory’s systems, communication, and culture to achieve these goals.

Any staff or faculty member of the institution can also sign up to take virtual training on the topics of "Managing Bias,” “Diversity: Inclusion in the Workplace” and "Safe Space" training to foster a culture of understanding, empathy, belonging and support.

Emory Faculty Members have the opportunity to serve as “Faculty Fellows” for OSI. Faculty Fellows for OSI advise OSI and advocate for changes in their own departments and academic units as well as providing leadership for specific issues from time to time.

All Emory health sciences clinicians, faculty, and administrators have the opportunity to participate in the Emory Healthcare Sustainability Council which meets quarterly with a mission and goals to advance initiatives in healthy, healing spaces, develop sustainable operations processes, and cultivate an understanding of connections between sustainable communities and healthy people. 

Appropriate Planning, Design, and Construction staff are offered external training on LEED certification, as part of their LEED professional development. 

All relevant staff attend training and professional development on environmental health and safety requirements and credentials for Emory University and Emory Healthcare.

Sustainability staff are offered professional development and training through conferences, symposia, and training of affiliate and trade organizations every year.

• https://sustainability.emory.edu/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/
• https://sustainability.emory.edu/programs/green-labs-at-emory/
• https://sustainability.emory.edu/programs/green-offices-at-emory/
• https://sustainability.emory.edu/programs/sustainable-events-at-emory/
• https://equityandinclusion.emory.edu/about/events/training/elms.html
• http://www.lgbt.emory.edu/programs-events/safe-space.html