Sustainability Program Manager

Under general guidance from the Manager of Environmental, Health & Safety, provides leadership and subject matter expertise to the agency on sustainability best practices. The Sustainability Program Manager uses effective communication and management to drive company-wide buy-in and support while developing an Environmental and Sustainability Management System conforming to ISO 14001 and the FTA Guidebook of Best Management Practices for the Development of an Environmental and Sustainability Management System.  This includes integrating sustainability practices throughout all facets of the organization and managing the organization's public facing reporting and disclosures. 

1. Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS): Develops, implements, and directs Community Transit’s Environmental and Sustainability Management System conforming to the current version of ISO 14001 and the FTA Guidebook of Best Management Practices for the Development and updates an Environmental and Sustainability Management System. Serves as the agency’s subject matter expert (SME) for ESMS and provides oversight of all ESMS elements. Creates a strategic roadmap to successfully implement the elements of ESMS, with key milestones and deliverables. Develops and/or conducts decision briefs or informational presentations to the Executive Leadership Team, managers, employees, and regional partners. Drafts standards, policies, and procedures as needed.
2. Sustainability: Develops, implements, directs, and manages an agency-wide strategic sustainability framework. Leads analytical research and develops recommendations to support the implementation of sustainability policies and practices across the agency. Develops strategic planning documents and implements related plan goals and targets. Leads agency stakeholder processes to implement specific sustainability goals and annual sustainability targets.
3. Division Liaison: Attends meetings, conducts training and provides guidance for other departments to ensure organizational practices meet ESMS goals and objectives. Position serves as a resource and subject matter expert for agency managers and executives as it relates to all sustainability efforts and the ESMS program.
4. Research and Analysis: Leads analytical research and develops recommendations to support the implementation of sustainability policies and practices across the agency. Prepares through research and analysis, statistical data-compiling reports, surveys, and metrics to inform business decisions. Position serves as a resource and subject matter expert for agency managers and executives as it relates to Environmental and Sustainability Performance Indicators and Environmental and Sustainability Performance Measures.
5. Manages consultant contracts, scopes of work; develops scopes of work and requests for proposals (RFPs) for sustainability/ESMS consulting service contracts and manages existing contracts; prepares scopes, schedules, and budgets associated with service contracts; and oversees and manages the consultant contracts once projects are underway.
6. Supports division work planning efforts and annual budgeting for program area. Monitors budget and expenditures, approves payments within budget authority.
7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelors’ Degree in environmental studies, environmental science, urban planning, land use, biology, public administration or closely related field and six years of experience in environmental, urban or natural resource planning or public administration, or closely related field
2. Minimum 3 years’ experience in developing and managing sustainability programs
3. Valid Washington State driver’s license by date of hire

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above may be considered in rare instances.

Preferred

1. Experience in Environmental Management System (EMS) or Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) program development
2. Public transit, public agency, or regulated private industry experience.
3. Possession of environmental and sustainability certifications.

Entry Requirements for: Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

1. Research, data collection, data analysis and reporting methods for sustainability.
2. Environmental management and sustainability policy.
3. Environmental and land use laws and regulations and practices related to compliance.
4. Operations, services, and activities of an environmental planning program.
5. State and federal environmental laws and regulations, as well as industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues and sustainability policies.
6. Federal, state, and local transportation planning and project development requirements.
7. Principles and practices of contract administration and understanding of contractual relationships for consultants and contracts.
8. Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation and strong writing skills, including English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
9. Principles, procedures, and maintenance of record keeping.
10. Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
11. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases. Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Skill In:

1. Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
2. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
3. Professional communication including applying principles and practices of community outreach and working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
4. Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
5. Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
6. Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
7. Preparing, analyzing, and managing requests for proposals (RFPs), consulting contracts, and associated scopes, schedules, and budgets.
8. Developing, interpreting and administering multiple, overlapping plans and policies.
9. Anticipating impacts of alternative courses of action and inaction.
10. Applying advanced project management techniques and principles.
11. Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other agency staff, all levels of management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the public.

Proficient Performance Requirements for Knowledge and Skills

Qualification to fulfill the full range of this position’s duties requires the following knowledge, which may be gained or further developed after entering the job:

1. Federal, state, and local transportation planning and project development requirements
2. Federal Transit Administration regulations pertaining to safety in the workplace and for capital projects.
3. Governmental budget preparation and administration.

Qualification to fulfill the full range of this position’s duties requires the following skills, which may be gained or further developed after entering the job:

1. Project management

Physical Requirements

Climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Light Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

May occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions or hazardous traffic situations when working in the field.

Afterhours availability may be required to meet operational needs.

Application and Selection Process:

• Only on-line applications accepted.  
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests. 

Employee Benefits:

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan. In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and nine (9) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

Effective January 1, 2022, all new employees must provide proof of fully vaccinated status on or before their first workday. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. 

If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.  As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.