Location of Service: UT Office of Sustainability – 2040 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
About UT Office of Sustainability:
The UT Office of Sustainability is committed to promoting the responsible consumption of human, economic, and environmental resources on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. We use holistic data collection and analysis to inform sustainability initiatives and develop collaborations with campus and community partners to reduce the environmental impacts of the University’s operations, all while engaging the campus community in what it means to Make Orange Green.
Position Summary:
- Manage food waste collection routes and data to support the Compost Driver.
- Work with campus entities to develop and integrate new ways to expand composting on campus.
- Problem-solve issues related to the food waste collection route as they arise.
- Coordinate compost education across campus including creating and distributing educational materials on proper compost practices.
- Track and manage compost bags and compost bin inventories.
- Give presentations to small or large groups about composting on campus or in general.
- Collaborate with Zero Waste Coordinator and the Recycling team for planning and hosting Zero Waste events.
- Work with Office of Sustainability staff and student volunteers on Zero Waste Game Days for football in the fall, including working weekends for home games.
- Oversee logistics of food waste collection and stage compost bins around Neyland Stadium prior to each home football game.
- Assist with operational duties at the Compost Facility which may include the use of heavy equipment and the following:
- Handle the food waste collection route when other drivers are unavailable
- Take temperatures and other metrics of compost windrows and accurately record collected data
- Assist with miscellaneous projects to improve and keep the site in good condition
- Deliver finished compost to partners on and off campus
- Oversee compost student worker(s) and volunteers
- Participate in educational interventions for k-12 students to educate potential college students on sustainability practices
- Occasionally assist the Compost Supervisor or other team members with recycling or other tasks and serve as a representative of the Office of Sustainability at campus and community events that can happen at night or on the weekend, including UT Home football games.
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Leadership
- Project management
- Volunteer management
- Problem solving
- Public speaking and presentations
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Heavy equipment usage and preventative maintenance
- Truck and trailer usage
- Route management
- Science of composting
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in soils science, planning, sustainability, or environmental field strongly preferred
- Valid driver’s license
- Knowledge of sustainability efforts within higher education or community organizations or experience working with a college or university sustainability office
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a wide range of tasks
- Ability to create and give presentations to small and large (30+) groups
- Ability to or willingness to learn to drive large trucks, haul trailers, and operate heavy equipment such as a skidsteer, backhoe, and excavator
Equal Opportunity Statement: AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, generic information, military service, or reprisal.