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:

• Work to further the Office of Sustainability’s mission to become a zero-waste institution.
• Assist the Recycling Supervisor in coordinating the Office of Sustainability’s waste reduction efforts through involvement with a variety of programs and initiatives
• Oversee the implementation of the My Tiny Trash program and completing campus-wide bin and signage standardization
• Recruit, train, and oversee student workers helping to implement zero waste programs
• Conduct in-depth, building-by-building waste audits that will inform new diversion strategies unique to the needs of specific buildings and campus departments
• Provide education and training on proper composting and recycling practices
• Work with event planners and catering to make events Zero Waste and troubleshoot problems with waste diversion efforts
• Report data on event waste
• Oversee implementation of the Green Office Certification Program, helping offices get the process started and maintain their efforts to make their offices more sustainable, utilizing available funding to provide signage, promotional events and materials and purchase more efficient equipment and infrastructure
• Maintain existing programs and create new programs and policies that further our Zero Waste Commitment goals and our Sustainability Master Plan
• Assist with recycling operations, including serving as assistant to the Recycling Supervisor
• Serve as a representative of the Office of Sustainability at campus and community events that may occur at night or on the weekend
• Serve in a leadership role for the Zero Waste Gameday team which includes working weekends for home football games
• 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/credentials:

• Forklift certification
• Supervisory skills
• WordPress skills
• Social media skills
• Public speaking skills
• Data analysis and waste audit skills
• Heavy truck driving skills

Site Preferences/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental field strongly preferred
• Solid organization, leadership, and communication skills
• Comfortable creating and giving presentations to small and large (30+) groups
• Knowledge of sustainability efforts within higher education or community organizations or experience working with a college or university sustainability office
• Ability to work long hours while standing or walking in moderately strenuous working conditions (rain, heat, sun, cold, etc.)
• 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.