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31 May 2022

Full-Time Senior Sustainability Specialist – Waste Reduction

County of San Mateo – Posted by spinrec Redwood City, California, United States

Job Description

Senior Sustainability Specialist

Waste Reduction

County of San Mateo

$8,715 – $10,897 / Month

Are you passionate about finding new ways to reduce the amount of edible food going into the landfill and exploring the different ways compost and mulch can be used around your community? Would you like to be part of a team of enthusiastic sustainability professionals and help the County of San Mateo develop and implement programs to address critical sustainability issues around waste reduction and diversion in the community?

The County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability (OOS) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Sustainability Specialist – Waste Reduction. We want “sustainability champions” with experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are looking for candidates with excellent project management and communication skills to lead initiatives and help our employees, community partners, and community members take meaningful actions on sustainability. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will:

  • Have an extensive background in the areas of solid waste management, recycling and composting, source reduction, and public policy.
  • Have experience leading diverse project teams and managing high-profile, complex programs and projects.
  • Have worked effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Possess strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects at different stages simultaneously.
  • Have a strong commitment to public service and serving the local community.
  • Have initiative, drive, and follow through to ensure all necessary tasks are completed on time with little supervision.
  • Have strong communications and writing skills.
  • Be able to incorporate the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a project or initiative.
  • Be able to incorporate an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities to improve project design and implementation.
  • Be able to speak effectively, make public presentations, conduct outreach, training and/or public education as necessary to a variety of different audiences.
  • Be comfortable in a fast-paced, people-focused environment.

Job Duties

Reporting to the Waste Reduction Program Manager, as the Senior Sustainability Specialist, you will be responsible for leading a team to support the County’s compliance with various requirements of California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383). You will play a pivotal role in shaping, implementing, and guiding the County in its goal to reduce avoidable waste, spark innovation, create synergies, and bring the community together. Your work will focus on two main areas: edible food recovery and procurement of recycled organic materials (e.g., paper products, compost, mulch).

Edible Food Recovery (EFR) Program: The County has partnered with all of the cities and eligible special districts in San Mateo County to design and implement one countywide edible food recovery program to comply with the requirements of SB 1383. The OOS has taken on the role of managing and implementing this program on behalf of all those participating. Since its beginning in 2020, this program has recovered and redistributed over 10.5 million pounds of edible food to residents throughout the county, supplying important supplemental food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recycled Organic Product Procurement Program: One of the requirements of SB 1383 is that all jurisdictions, including the County, will need to procure a certain amount of recycled organic products (e.g., compost, mulch, renewable natural gas). The County is currently leading a coordinated effort with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) and many other cities in the county to comply with this requirement. Additionally, another requirement is that the County will need to adopt and implement internal policies that require all departments to adhere to specific procurement requirements around paper products, compost, and mulch.

We know work isn’t only about what you do; it’s also about who you work for and with! The OOS has a fun and supportive work environment that supports a work-life balance, including:

  • Flexible, hybrid work schedule opportunities
  • Wellness classes and resources to promote a healthy mind and body
  • Generous benefits package
  • Subsidy of up to $150 per month to cover the costs of public transit, vanpooling, carpooling, and bike and scooter share, or up to $480 per year for walking, biking, or carpooling to work
  • At least 20 hours of training provided annually

Note: This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies, so those interested in the Senior Sustainability Specialist position in one or any of the other working group(s) are encouraged to apply in this recruitment.

A competitive benefits package is associated with this position. For complete information regarding benefits please click here.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of program coordination experience in the field of sustainability and/or resource conservation.

FINAL FILING DATE:  June 16, 2022

To learn more about the position and to apply online, please visit our website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanmateo/jobs/3573250/senior-sustainability-specialist-waste-reduction-open-and-promotional. Applications are only accepted online. The following are required to be submitted: 1) regular online employment application form; 2) cover letter expressing interest in the position; 3) resume. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form, a resume, and a cover letter. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. EOE

How to Apply

  • To learn more about the position and to apply online, please click here. Applications are only accepted online.
  • The following are required to be submitted: 1) regular online employment application form; 2) cover letter expressing interest in the position; 3) resume. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form, a resume, and a cover letter. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. EOE
  • FINAL FILING DATE:  June 16, 2022

Job Categories: Sustainability. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: compost, edible food, recycling, sustainability, and Waste Reduction. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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