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/Staff Members & Affiliations

Eric Main - Associate Director, Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Richard Plate - Lecturer, College of Undergraduate Studies
Chinyen Chuo - Faculty Coordinator, Experiential Learning
Rick Falco - Student Union Director, Student Success and Well-Being
Dr. Saiful Khondaker - Assistant VP of Research Advancement, Office of Research
Lee Dotson - Digital Initiatives Librarian, John C. Hitt Library
Amanda Dever - Assistant Director, Office of Student Involvement
Natali Iglesias-Mendoza Camarano - Marketing Communications Manager, Continuing Education
Justin Wisor - Facilities Operations Assistant VP, Facilities and Business Operations
Duane Siemen - Utilities and Engineering Services Assistant VP, Facilities and Business Operations
Scotte Eberle - Auxiliary Services Director, Facilities and Business Operations
Travis Simmons - Landscape Operations Director, Facilities and Business Operations
Ben Davis - Planning, Design, and Construction Assistant VP, Facilities and Business Operations
Albert "Bert" Francis - University Treasurer, Division of Financial Affairs

Housed within the Administration and Finance division of the University, the department of the Arboretum and Sustainability Initiatives oversees the planning and implementation of sustainability-related initiatives within the university. The office includes two full-time, permanent positions, 19 paid student Learning-by-Leading part-time positions (two of which focus specifically on Sustainability Initiatives), 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 five (4) Sustainability Working Action Teams (SWAT's), each focused on the strategic areas identified. Finally, there is the Green Assembly, co-managed by Sustainability Initiatives student Co-Coordinators and Student Government, which acts as an education opportunity and colloquium for students from around the university to voice their opinions, share ideas, and plan events.

Summary:
Direct the operations, including vision setting, strategic planning and organizational governance for the university-wide sustainability practices, programs, and policies. Works in cooperation with university operations units, Arboretum, natural resources, academic and research units, student organizations, and external partners. Advises the VP of Facilities, providing leadership and serving as a catalyst for initiatives, project and program development, and influencing stakeholder groups and governing bodies to cultivate a culture to advance sustainability within the university.

The Sustainability Specialist II will lead 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 sustainability literacy programs; engaging with institutional leaders to foster sustainability broadly across campus units. This position will serve as the primary sustainability lead for F&BO in securing the adoption and implementation of the university's president's climate action plan, and stands to achieve sustainability within the University of Central Florida.

An Arboretum & Sustainability Leadership Student is part of the Learning by Leading (LxL) Program at UCF. These students assist staff mentors in the oversight of teams of interns and volunteers in various project areas including the community farm and garden, greenhouse, ambassadors, urban horticulture, media and marketing, pollinator gardens, and natural resource management. Students in this position are required to lead and assist their assigned team of interns in performing daily operational activities for the Arboretum and Sustainability Programs. Student leadership tasks may include (depending on the team) but are not limited to: designing and installing landscapes and landscape features, performing general site maintenance, hosting weekly team meetings, assisting with Arboretum and Sustainability events, providing tours, scheduling and leading volunteer shifts, and organizing and maintaining team schedules.