Sustainability Director - Facilities Management

Interested in joining Milwaukee County? Milwaukee County is searching for authentic people who are out to change the game and bring their whole selves to work every day.

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support Enforcement, Combined Court Operations, Sheriffs Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors in the Department on Aging, those with Disabilities, and Veterans Affairs. Our employees also remain committed to serve the cultural, human, recreational and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
 

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

Closing Date: August 14,2024 or upon the receipt of 50 application submissions.

Sustainability Director
DAS – Facilities Management

Annual Salary Range: $93,017.60 – $137,779.20

Job Summary:  The position of Sustainability Director is responsible for the overall administration, development, and management of all county-wide sustainability programs including climate action planning, energy management, environmentally preferable procurement, resource conservation, recycling, and waste reduction. The incumbent provides oversight and guidance in association to the work of project managers and staff to manage and reduce the County's use of natural resources.

In 2017 the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution supporting the Paris Agreement on climate change.  On Earth Day 2021 the Board further passed a resolution committing Milwaukee County to becoming carbon neutral in its operations by 2050 (see https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=9309128&GUID=0FA3BAF2-FE6A-4EE1-886C-B14BA6DE4DE4 ). The Sustainability Director is charged with leading the planning and implementation for climate action across the county to achieve this goal, which will be a major focus of the position.  Through this the Sustainability Director will work with all county departments to provide an actionable plan that redefines county operations to achieve the County’s vision of carbon neutral operations. The Sustainability Director will impact the entire county fleet and facilities portfolio and drive climate action for years to come. 

We are seeking a leader that collaborates effectively and can paint a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.  The Director of Sustainability must be effective in a variety of communication settings, group sizes, diverse styles and position levels, and must make sound and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.  The Director will need to advocate for moving sustainability to the beginning of decision-making and relate it to the triple bottom line of the County.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The position of Sustainability Director is responsible for the overall administration, development, and management of all county-wide sustainability programs including climate action planning, energy management, environmentally preferable procurement, resource conservation, recycling, and waste reduction. The incumbent provides oversight and guidance in association to the work of project managers and staff to manage and reduce the County's use of natural resources.
• Works with appropriate internal and external partners to development and implement programs, policies, and guidelines to achieve broad sustainability targets; consults with county agencies and staff of the implementation and develops performance systems.
• Develops and implements division goals, policies and strategic plans and participate in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and strategic plans. Also advises the Director on staffing needs and professional and technical expertise needed for programs.
• Develops agendas and reports for board(s) and committee meetings, reviews agenda items prepared by others as assigned and presents information to the board(s).
• Directs, assigns, and monitors the work of assigned staff, consultants, or contractors; serves as an advisor to program management staff. Directs and participates in the investigation and resolution of complaints related to assigned program area activities and contracts.
• Develop administer and monitor all program budgets, grants, and contracts. Track expenditures and funding needs; project future funding needs; identify appropriate and available funding sources; management grants. Supervise staff on fiscal activities and program compliance.
• Monitor, interpret and apply federal, state, and local sustainability laws and regulations to develop County policies that ensure compliance and optimal efficiency, effectiveness, and economy.
• Represent the department on sustainability programs.
• Conducts outreach to department heads and senior management, the Board of Supervisors, county agencies and others by making program presentations; designs and produces promotional publications; oversees the outreach activities of program staff.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current resident of the USA.
• Valid Driver's License and maintained throughout employment.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Urban Planning, Business, engineering, or Environmental Services or related field required
• At least five (5) years of experience in sustainability, resource conservation, or climate change
• At least one (1) year of supervisory/management experience required
• Intermediate knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.  
• Advanced knowledge of Energy Management Systems
• Intermediate knowledge of emissions inventory calculators

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to exchange of basic information with internal and/or external contacts, maintain sensitive or confidential information, explain and gather information, answer queries, or provide assistance to internal and/or external contacts, perform with a high degree of authority in securing understanding and cooperation with internal and/or external contacts, read, write and comprehend simple instructions, reports, short correspondence and memos; makes decisions of responsibility and final recommendations, which may result in the formulation of strategic plans of action to achieve the broad objectives for the organization; involves long-range future planning including scope, direction and goals, and perform within difficult or complex working conditions or situations not easily evaluated; decisions require considerable judgment, initiative and ingenuity in areas there is little precedent.

NOTE: This position is unclassified and not subject to Civil Service Rules and Regulations. This original application is open to qualified candidates authorized to work in the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of appointment and maintain such residency during incumbency. During the application process please upload your updated resume and cover letter outlining experience

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.