University of Central Florida
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Endorsed by the Office of the President, the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) holds the purpose of advocating and facilitating collegial efforts to advance environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social justice. The Sustainability Working Advisory Teams (SWAT) support each initiative through their respective affiliations, research, and resources. The Committee at large shall serve as a connection for students, faculty, staff and community to collaborate in order to engage in the values, educational material, policies, practices, and projects that strengthen the campus-wide commitment to sustainability.

Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) Faculty Members & Affiliations Amy Childs – Coordinator, Faculties Operations Claire Knox, Dr. – Faculty, Assistant Professor of Public Administration Curtis Wade – Administration, Director of Utilities and Energy Services David Norvell – Administration, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives Debra Reinhart, Dr. – Faculty, Pegasus Professor of Engineering, Assistant VP Office of Research and Commercialization James Fenton, Dr. – Faculty, Professor of Engineering, Director of Florida Solar Energy Center John Weishampel, Dr. – Faculty, Professor of Biology Omer Tatari, Dr. – Faculty, Associate Professor of Engineering Patrick Bohlen, Dr. – Faculty, Professor of Biology, Director of Landscape and Natural Resources Peter Jacques, Dr. – Faculty, Associate Professor of Political Science Yara Watson – Coordinator, Sustainability & Outreach

Housed within the Administration and Finance division of the University, the office of Sustainability Initiatives oversees the planning and implementation of all sustainability related initiatives within the university. The office includes two full-time, permanent positions, five paid student intern part-time positions and a host of unpaid student volunteers.

Sustainability initiatives are coordinated throughout the institution through a series of committees with various focus areas. At the highest level, there is the executive advisory committee composed of leaders from teaching, research, administration and operations. There are also seven (7) Sustainability Working Action Teams (SWAT's), each focused on of the strategic areas identified. Finally, there are seven (7) student sustainability committees designed to mimic the (7) SWAT's.

Reports to the Associate VP for Administration & Finance responsible for Facilities & Safety. The Assistant Vice President for Sustainability will be the University's leader and "go to" expert for sustainability. The functional title for this position is Assistant Vice President for Sustainability. Serves as the liaison for the university with various higher education, community, and economic development entities on green-related and alternative energy initiatives in Central Florida. Leads the interface with any and all government agencies and departments, domestic and international, relating to sustainability. Works to strengthen existing partnerships and relationships, as well as identify and initiate relationships that would benefit the university. Fosters and coordinates with existing credit, non-credit, and professional development programs new relationships and training opportunities locally, regionally, and nationally. Ensures a broad-based sustainability program, covering environment, economics, and social components. Develops a hearty faculty, staff, and student engagement program to integrate sustainability throughout the university. Ensures that the university’s sustainability effort enhances business performance and supports the long-term interests of the university. Collaborates with internal groups to develop a coordinated sustainability plan. Builds sustainability principles into short- and long-term business planning, capital planning, and operations planning. Serves as the university’s leader and “go to” expert for sustainability, monitoring emerging trends, programs, and issues, and communicating and educating others on sustainability topics. Writes and has published articles on sustainability in trade and academic publications. Assesses the university’s current sustainability performance and identifies key sustainability issues. Identifies and prioritizes areas for institutional sustainability efforts and recommends strategies for proactively addressing relevant sustainability issues. Measures and monitors progress against sustainability strategies, objectives, and performance targets. Provides technical advice and expertise to the AVP and the departments across the spectrum of F&S.

The Sustainability coordinator will provide leadership and coordination to the many distinct sustainability efforts on campus and develop a consistent plan to reach long and short-range program goals. Primary responsibilities include fostering a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff; identifying and prioritizing areas for institutional sustainability efforts; planning and developing long- and short-range programs; and engaging with institutional leaders to foster sustainability broadly across campus units. The coordinator will also assist the Asst. VP, Sustainability Initiatives in securing the adoption and implementation of the University’s President’s Climate Action Plan, and stands to achieve sustainability within University of Central Florida. This position will have a functional title of Coordinator, Sustainability and Outreach. Develop, plan, coordinate and implement activities including, but not limited to, seminars, conferences, workshops, short courses, clubs, shows, public events and other outreach programs related to sustainability at UCF that include all populations groups: university administration, faculty, staff, students and the community. Both the manner in which these activities are organized and the nature of their content should be geared towards achieving buy-in and habit transformation from student, faculty and staff community members. Encourage and facilitate sustainability programs initiated by student, faculty and staff community members. Foster and coordinate new ideas and concepts for sustainability programming themes and identify materials and resources to supplement, expand or replace existing sustainability programming. Assist the Asst. VP in defining short and long term goals; develop key performance indicators (KPI’s) for each of the 7 strategic focus areas including: energy, water and wastewater, transportation, buildings and grounds, food and livability, waste and recycling, and finally academics and engagement for sustainability initiatives at UCF. Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, document performance trends, and recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness. Compile and submit annual greenhouse gas inventory as required by the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment. Conduct an annual survey of at least 3,000 respondents, within the UCF population, to assess the level of interest and competency relating to sustainability. Represent UCF’s sustainability programs to the University; maintain liaison with groups, programs, offices and departments at UCF, to achieve sustainability objectives; serve on various campus, state and national committees. Foster and coordinates new ideas and concepts and represents UCF’s sustainability programs to the public; attend professional meetings as appropriate; interface with external organizations to ensure cooperative efforts are enhanced and available resources are utilized. These requirements necessitate the ability to travel and meet regularly outside of business hours. Develop and maintain an integrated marketing plan including means and methods of communications; coordinate and/or participate in public relations activities to include preparing and supervising the production of a website, social media outlets, brochures, newsletters and other promotional materials and/or publications, preparing press releases, designing ads and fliers, and responding to inquiries; develop plans and schedules for release of publicity materials Research and maintain working knowledge of best practices at peer institutions with regards to sustainability. Responsible for high-level University quarterly and annual green house gas reduction and emissions and energy savings reports, newsletters, constituent updates for administration, trustees, governors and applicable executive orders from US Department of Energy. Assist in the preparation of budgets and grants; monitor, verify and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds as appropriate. Recruit, interview, hire and manage student interns performing research or work on sustainability projects with well-defined deliverables. Advertise, solicit and screen applications for the grant funds. Oversee the execution of projects receiving grants. Publicize the results of granted projects. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.