University of Massachusetts Amherst
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Ezra
Small Sustainability Manager Physical Plant |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Sustainability committee(s)
Yes
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
The role of the Chancellor's Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) is to:
1. Facilitate integration of sustainability initiatives across the campus
2. Recommend sustainability priorities to the Chancellor and Chancellor's Leadership Council (CLC)
3. Serve as an intermediary for student initiatives to the administration
CSAC meets monthly throughout the calendar year with one to two breaks in the schedule during summer and winter break.
https://www.umass.edu/sustainability/about/chancellors-sustainability-advisory-committee-csac
1. Facilitate integration of sustainability initiatives across the campus
2. Recommend sustainability priorities to the Chancellor and Chancellor's Leadership Council (CLC)
3. Serve as an intermediary for student initiatives to the administration
CSAC meets monthly throughout the calendar year with one to two breaks in the schedule during summer and winter break.
https://www.umass.edu/sustainability/about/chancellors-sustainability-advisory-committee-csac
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
22 members including:
CHAIR:
Steve Goodwin, Deputy Chancellor
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF:
Ezra Small, Campus Sustainability Manager, Physical Plant
Laurie Simmons, Residential Life Sustainability Coordinator, Residential Life (Also Graduate Student Senate Rep)
Kathy Wicks, Auxiliary Services Sustainability Director, Auxiliary Services
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Raymond Jackson, Director, Physical Plant
Ludmilla Pavlova, Senior Campus Planner, Campus Planning
Ted Mendoza, Project Manager, Design & Construction Management
Jeff Hescock, Director, Environmental Health & Safety
Jack Brown, Assistant Budget Director, Budget Office
Dawn Bond, Director, Residential Life Operations
Ken Toong, Executive Director, Auxiliary Services
Tricia MacKenzie, Executive Director of Marketing Strategy, University Relations
Marco Monoc, Executive Director, Foundations Relations
Betsy Cracco, Executive Director, Well Being, Access & Prevention, Student Affairs & Campus Life:
ACADEMIC:
Sanjay Raman, Dean, College of Engineering (Rotating Dean)
Craig Nicolson, Professor, Environmental Conservation (College of Natural Sciences Rep)
Elisabeth Hamin, Professor, Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Rep)
Ray Kinoshita Mann, Professor, Architecture (College of Humanities & Fine Arts Rep)
Curt Griffin, Professor & Director, Environmental Conservation (School of Earth and Sustainability Rep)
Robert Deconto, Professor, Geosciences, (School of Earth and Sustainability Rep)
Melanie Radik, Science & Engineering Librarian, UMass Libraries
TBA, Student Government Association
CHAIR:
Steve Goodwin, Deputy Chancellor
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF:
Ezra Small, Campus Sustainability Manager, Physical Plant
Laurie Simmons, Residential Life Sustainability Coordinator, Residential Life (Also Graduate Student Senate Rep)
Kathy Wicks, Auxiliary Services Sustainability Director, Auxiliary Services
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Raymond Jackson, Director, Physical Plant
Ludmilla Pavlova, Senior Campus Planner, Campus Planning
Ted Mendoza, Project Manager, Design & Construction Management
Jeff Hescock, Director, Environmental Health & Safety
Jack Brown, Assistant Budget Director, Budget Office
Dawn Bond, Director, Residential Life Operations
Ken Toong, Executive Director, Auxiliary Services
Tricia MacKenzie, Executive Director of Marketing Strategy, University Relations
Marco Monoc, Executive Director, Foundations Relations
Betsy Cracco, Executive Director, Well Being, Access & Prevention, Student Affairs & Campus Life:
ACADEMIC:
Sanjay Raman, Dean, College of Engineering (Rotating Dean)
Craig Nicolson, Professor, Environmental Conservation (College of Natural Sciences Rep)
Elisabeth Hamin, Professor, Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Rep)
Ray Kinoshita Mann, Professor, Architecture (College of Humanities & Fine Arts Rep)
Curt Griffin, Professor & Director, Environmental Conservation (School of Earth and Sustainability Rep)
Robert Deconto, Professor, Geosciences, (School of Earth and Sustainability Rep)
Melanie Radik, Science & Engineering Librarian, UMass Libraries
TBA, Student Government Association
Sustainability office(s)
Yes
A brief description of each sustainability office:
There is a sustainability office in the Physical Plant within the Facilities & Campus Services which oversees sustainability advancement in operations relating to energy, procurement, transportation, waste and collaboration with academics and engagement.
There is a sustainability office in the Auxiliary Services which oversees sustainability advancement in dining and food procurement.
There is a sustainability office in the Auxiliary Services which oversees sustainability advancement in dining and food procurement.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
8
Sustainability officer(s)
Yes
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Ezra Small, Campus Sustainability Manager
Institution-wide coordination
Yes
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
1. Sustainability Strategy Working Group (SSWG)
The University of Massachusetts formed a cross-campus Sustainability Strategy Working Group (SSWG) to help develop a unifying vision of sustainability research, education, and engagement for UMass. This working group includes more than 30 faculty members from across all nine academic colleges, with UMass Libraries and the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) also represented. The working group is transdisciplinary in nature and collaborative in practice. The working group is charged with defining the process for bringing the broad range of sustainability activities under the School of Earth & Sustainability umbrella and leading a collaborative, cross-campus engagement process for broad input.
https://www.umass.edu/ses/about/SSWG
2. UMass Carbon Zero (UMCZ):
UMass Carbon Zero is made up of four teams: design and construction management; research and engagement; university relations; and the school of earth and sustainability, with an advisory board overseeing the work these teams do.
In the past three years, this body has:
Established the Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst: This stakeholder-engaged research entity was established in 2021 to enable a fast and fair transition to a decarbonized energy system in the US.
Created the Carbon Literacy Project: UMass Amherst is the first university in the US to offer this international, award-winning carbon literacy program.
Conducted ongoing geotechnical: We are testing selected campus properties for their geothermal capacity.
Continued to prepare new buildings for carbon zero: As we continue with current new building and major renovation projects, we are designing them to be carbon-zero ready.
Gotten Living Labs underway: We are working with faculty and staff to support UMass Carbon Zero high-impact learning, research, and engagement opportunities.
Engaged in conversations with local utilities: We are engaging with our utility providers to prepare for our energy transition.
https://www.umass.edu/carbon-neutrality/
The University of Massachusetts formed a cross-campus Sustainability Strategy Working Group (SSWG) to help develop a unifying vision of sustainability research, education, and engagement for UMass. This working group includes more than 30 faculty members from across all nine academic colleges, with UMass Libraries and the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) also represented. The working group is transdisciplinary in nature and collaborative in practice. The working group is charged with defining the process for bringing the broad range of sustainability activities under the School of Earth & Sustainability umbrella and leading a collaborative, cross-campus engagement process for broad input.
https://www.umass.edu/ses/about/SSWG
2. UMass Carbon Zero (UMCZ):
UMass Carbon Zero is made up of four teams: design and construction management; research and engagement; university relations; and the school of earth and sustainability, with an advisory board overseeing the work these teams do.
In the past three years, this body has:
Established the Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst: This stakeholder-engaged research entity was established in 2021 to enable a fast and fair transition to a decarbonized energy system in the US.
Created the Carbon Literacy Project: UMass Amherst is the first university in the US to offer this international, award-winning carbon literacy program.
Conducted ongoing geotechnical: We are testing selected campus properties for their geothermal capacity.
Continued to prepare new buildings for carbon zero: As we continue with current new building and major renovation projects, we are designing them to be carbon-zero ready.
Gotten Living Labs underway: We are working with faculty and staff to support UMass Carbon Zero high-impact learning, research, and engagement opportunities.
Engaged in conversations with local utilities: We are engaging with our utility providers to prepare for our energy transition.
https://www.umass.edu/carbon-neutrality/
Optional Fields
Job description (1st position)
Campus Sustainability Manager
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
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Job description for the sustainability officer position:
A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Reporting to the Director of the Physical Plant, the Sustainability Manager will be responsible for fostering a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff; identifying and prioritizing areas for institutional sustainability efforts; planning and developing long- and short-term programs and engaging institutional leaders to foster sustainability broadly across the campus. The Manager will assist the academic community in the process of including sustainability into curriculum. The Manager serves as the liaison to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies, in order to fill out annual reporting requirements, interfaces with counterparts throughout the University of Massachusetts system, and serves as Chair of the Chancellor’s Sustainability Committee (CSC).
B. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
1. Create strategies to integrate sustainability principles across the operational functions of the University; utilize the Chancellors Sustainability Committee, in-house expertise, peer institution practices, literature and conferences to develop ideas to advance UMass’s sustainability efforts;
Evaluate these opportunities for technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability by the UMass community;
Create detailed implementation plans to recommend to University administration;
Work with units to implement approved project plans; analyze effectiveness and results of projects.
2. Develop and coordinate a process that leads to the creation of sustainability standards and policies that can be implemented at an institutional level, i.e., Transportation, Waste Management, Energy Systems, other.
3. Work across campus to develop a central organizing structure or platform for managing sustainability efforts. Oversee the development and maintenance of multiple campus –wide sustainability sub-committees and coordinate efforts among other professional sustainability staff in other units on campus.
4. Interact with units/departments that have existing sustainability initiatives, e.g., Physical Plant, Facilities Planning, Environmental Health and Safety, Procurement, to enhance existing efforts by providing suggestions that lead to more sustainable operational systems, to coordinate efforts that exist across units/departments, and to share ideas regarding successful initiatives across units/departments.
5. Provide support to Physical Plant for the development and implementation of energy and natural resource conservation projects, including energy conservation and green building design.
Monitor and evaluate design, construction, and operations for environmental design practices.
Participate in sustainable design charrettes on major construction projects.
Lead efforts to continually update the campus Climate Action Plans and sustainability goals.
6. Publicize, promote, and communicate UMass’s sustainability efforts within and outside of the UMass community.
Document progress towards sustainability and promote broader awareness of UMass’s environmental efforts and accomplishments.
Actively disseminate information on issues of sustainability, especially regarding the environmental impacts of UMass’s activities, UMass’s sustainability initiatives, and how individual members of the UMass community can make positive contributions. Develop a comprehensive website for the sustainability initiative.
Manage, create materials for, and update the Sustainable UMass website.
7. Serve as Chair of the CSC and provide support for the committee’s activities including coordinating the monitoring of UMass’s sustainability performance, including areas such as energy, materials procurement, materials and water consumption, waste streams (solid, food, hazardous), recycling percentages, and emissions to land, water, and air. Prepare regular progress reports highlighting efforts in these areas up to the Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor’s Leadership Council (CLC).
Oversee the management of the Sustainability, Innovation & Engagement Fund.
8. Build involvement and support for sustainability projects among faculty, staff, and students, across the entire campus.
9. Provide support to Residence Life Sustainability Coordinator and residential initiatives such as the Eco-Rep Program, to increase sustainability of student residences and the environmental literacy of the student body. Identify opportunities for outside grant funding, rebate programs, or other savings programs.
10. Manage staff, student employees, graduate student research assistant, and/or environmental interns including the student Fellowship Program, and Green Building Researchers.
11. Speak at local, regional and international conferences.
12. Build bridges to academic deans and directors across campus departments.
C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, education, or public administration, or related degree in architecture, engineering,
management, or science, with an environmental focus. Preferred: Masters or advanced degree.
2. Five (5) or more years experience in a related field, three (3) of which must be in implementing environmental or sustainability programs.
3. Leadership experience in environmental initiatives, resource management, and teaching/presenting information.
4. Knowledge of environmental management policies, issues, and initiatives.
Experience with energy, water, and waste conservation in buildings.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, working with diverse groups of individuals and building partnerships.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, including writing and public speaking.
7. Ability to work independently, to be a team leader, and to work as a team member.
8. Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and an ability to learn other software as needed.
10. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and to work with shifting priorities and schedules.
11. Preferred Qualifications
Website management skills
Experience in a university environment, or a non-profit
LEED Accredited Professional or the ability to gain accreditation within two years.
D. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general management of the Director Physical Plant, but is expected to work independently within the guidelines established.
E. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 0
Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 0
Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 20
Reporting to the Director of the Physical Plant, the Sustainability Manager will be responsible for fostering a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff; identifying and prioritizing areas for institutional sustainability efforts; planning and developing long- and short-term programs and engaging institutional leaders to foster sustainability broadly across the campus. The Manager will assist the academic community in the process of including sustainability into curriculum. The Manager serves as the liaison to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies, in order to fill out annual reporting requirements, interfaces with counterparts throughout the University of Massachusetts system, and serves as Chair of the Chancellor’s Sustainability Committee (CSC).
B. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
1. Create strategies to integrate sustainability principles across the operational functions of the University; utilize the Chancellors Sustainability Committee, in-house expertise, peer institution practices, literature and conferences to develop ideas to advance UMass’s sustainability efforts;
Evaluate these opportunities for technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability by the UMass community;
Create detailed implementation plans to recommend to University administration;
Work with units to implement approved project plans; analyze effectiveness and results of projects.
2. Develop and coordinate a process that leads to the creation of sustainability standards and policies that can be implemented at an institutional level, i.e., Transportation, Waste Management, Energy Systems, other.
3. Work across campus to develop a central organizing structure or platform for managing sustainability efforts. Oversee the development and maintenance of multiple campus –wide sustainability sub-committees and coordinate efforts among other professional sustainability staff in other units on campus.
4. Interact with units/departments that have existing sustainability initiatives, e.g., Physical Plant, Facilities Planning, Environmental Health and Safety, Procurement, to enhance existing efforts by providing suggestions that lead to more sustainable operational systems, to coordinate efforts that exist across units/departments, and to share ideas regarding successful initiatives across units/departments.
5. Provide support to Physical Plant for the development and implementation of energy and natural resource conservation projects, including energy conservation and green building design.
Monitor and evaluate design, construction, and operations for environmental design practices.
Participate in sustainable design charrettes on major construction projects.
Lead efforts to continually update the campus Climate Action Plans and sustainability goals.
6. Publicize, promote, and communicate UMass’s sustainability efforts within and outside of the UMass community.
Document progress towards sustainability and promote broader awareness of UMass’s environmental efforts and accomplishments.
Actively disseminate information on issues of sustainability, especially regarding the environmental impacts of UMass’s activities, UMass’s sustainability initiatives, and how individual members of the UMass community can make positive contributions. Develop a comprehensive website for the sustainability initiative.
Manage, create materials for, and update the Sustainable UMass website.
7. Serve as Chair of the CSC and provide support for the committee’s activities including coordinating the monitoring of UMass’s sustainability performance, including areas such as energy, materials procurement, materials and water consumption, waste streams (solid, food, hazardous), recycling percentages, and emissions to land, water, and air. Prepare regular progress reports highlighting efforts in these areas up to the Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor’s Leadership Council (CLC).
Oversee the management of the Sustainability, Innovation & Engagement Fund.
8. Build involvement and support for sustainability projects among faculty, staff, and students, across the entire campus.
9. Provide support to Residence Life Sustainability Coordinator and residential initiatives such as the Eco-Rep Program, to increase sustainability of student residences and the environmental literacy of the student body. Identify opportunities for outside grant funding, rebate programs, or other savings programs.
10. Manage staff, student employees, graduate student research assistant, and/or environmental interns including the student Fellowship Program, and Green Building Researchers.
11. Speak at local, regional and international conferences.
12. Build bridges to academic deans and directors across campus departments.
C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, education, or public administration, or related degree in architecture, engineering,
management, or science, with an environmental focus. Preferred: Masters or advanced degree.
2. Five (5) or more years experience in a related field, three (3) of which must be in implementing environmental or sustainability programs.
3. Leadership experience in environmental initiatives, resource management, and teaching/presenting information.
4. Knowledge of environmental management policies, issues, and initiatives.
Experience with energy, water, and waste conservation in buildings.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, working with diverse groups of individuals and building partnerships.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, including writing and public speaking.
7. Ability to work independently, to be a team leader, and to work as a team member.
8. Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and an ability to learn other software as needed.
10. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and to work with shifting priorities and schedules.
11. Preferred Qualifications
Website management skills
Experience in a university environment, or a non-profit
LEED Accredited Professional or the ability to gain accreditation within two years.
D. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general management of the Director Physical Plant, but is expected to work independently within the guidelines established.
E. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 0
Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 0
Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 20
Job description (2nd position)
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description (3rd position)
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.