Location of Service: University of Tennessee Office of Sustainability – 2040 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
About University of Tennessee 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:
- Work to improve and institutionalize the Office of Sustainability’s social sustainability efforts by
- ○ diverting resources destined for the landfill to people or organizations that need them
- ○ managing and coordinating daily and special events through the Free Store, a campus thrift shop that serves students at no cost to them
- ○ creating and fostering educational programs that further teach students how to be self-sustaining – examples including but not limited to: mending ripped clothing, how to apply for SNAP benefits
- Recruit, train, and direct a team of student workers who will maintain the operations of the Free Store and social media as well as assist with event planning
- Coordinate events such as Free Store pop-ups and sustainable/slow fashion shows and workshops to increase awareness and accessibility of the office’s various initiatives
- Recruit and oversee student volunteers to maintain the initiatives this position oversees at the Free Store and affiliated student organization Food Recovery Network
- Create and foster relationships across campus to spread awareness of these initiatives and to expand the presence and further the impact of social sustainability at the University of Tennessee
- Oversee and take part in food recovery operations after home football games and other events which involves recruiting, training, and overseeing numerous student volunteers
- Oversee and take part in move-out donations collections from residence halls and Greek housing on campus
- Serve as an ambassador for the Office of Sustainability at events as needed
- Serve as on various committees, potentially even as a subcommittee chairperson and coordinate meetings to plan events and make changes on campus that increase food security
- Work with student organizations to support and further their progress in advocating for and providing basic needs (housing, food, clothing) to students on campus
- Maintain records of donations
- When needed, assist other Office of Sustainability AmeriCorps members and staff in a diverse range of tasks, which can sometimes be physically demanding and require working with trash, recycling, and compost
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/experience:
- Supervision/leadership
- Retail management
- Event Planning and Execution
- Volunteer Management
- Collaboration
- Public speaking
- Creative problem-solving
- Self-motivation
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, in a social work or environmental field (Social Work, Anthropology, Sociology, Nutrition, Plant Science, etc)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a wide range of tasks
- Ability to create and give presentations to small and large (30+) groups
- Strong commitment to sustainability, resource conservation, waste reduction, and poverty alleviation
- Proficient at volunteer recruitment and coordination
- Knowledge of and experience with event planning
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (especially Excel), G Suite, and social media platforms
- Ability to manage project budgets and create reports for stakeholders
- Grant writing and proposal experience preferred
- Valid driver’s license
Equity and Inclusion: The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will take action to ensure that members and employees are treated equally without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, romantic/sexual orientation, age, handicap, cultural or religious convictions. CAC AmeriCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the recruitment / employment process.