Sustainability Specialist

Job Title: Sustainability Specialist

Job Type: Permanent

Union: MRSA

Position Classification: SAD09 Administrative Services IX

Salary Grade: $65,500.00 - $82,916.00

FT or PT: Full-time

Hybrid Work: This position is ineligible

Location: MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

About This Position

About the Facilities Management Department

Mount Royal University’s Facilities Management department is responsible for the planning, development, construction, design, operation, maintenance, safety, security, and stewardship of all the buildings, infrastructure, sites, and services within Mount Royal's campus community. Through efficient and environmentally sustainable operation, we offer grounds, custodial, building operations, facilities planning, security services, and engineering professional services to provide a physical environment that supports and enhances our academic space for students and staff. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing customer service excellence. Our staff respond to daily service requests and emergency/priority situations as needed.

About The Role

The Sustainability Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing sustainability initiatives within the Facilities Management department. This role involves collaborating with diverse stakeholders to advance sustainable practices, minimize the environmental impact of campus operations, and foster sustainability awareness among staff and students. The role focuses on optimizing energy and resource management, conducting regular audits to improve efficiency, and leading the university's efforts in achieving sustainability goals such as the STARS certification. Key responsibilities include researching and applying for grants, engaging stakeholders across the university to foster sustainability awareness, and preparing comprehensive sustainability reports. The specialist ensures all practices comply with relevant regulations while continually seeking opportunities for improvement and innovation.

Responsibilities

Responsibility 1 (30%): Data Collection and Energy/Resource Management

• Conducts regular audits and assessments to identify potential areas for improvement in resource management and/or sustainability practices.
• Coordinate with a cross-functional MRU team to deliver the STARS program and provide recommendations to senior leadership for enhancing sustainability strategies and initiatives.
• Analyze utility data and leverage EnergyCAP to provide recommendations for informed sustainability decisions.
• Conduct sustainability audits to assess the university’s performance in areas such as energy use and waste management.
• Use data to benchmark MRU's performance against industry standards for measuring and tracking energy use and emissions.

Responsibility 2 (30%): Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance

• Monitor, analyze, and report on Facilities Management’s sustainability metrics and progress.
• Summarize and organize information to identify trends, assess performance, and recommend improvements.
• Monitor progress toward sustainability goals and provide regular updates to the AVP, FM and other stakeholders.
• Prepare annual sustainability reports.
• Design and maintain a data collection system to gather community feedback, track key sustainability performance indicators, and inform future initiatives.
• Prepare and submit data for sustainability reporting and certifications.

Responsibility 3 (30%): Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with the Facilities Management team to enhance energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and other resource management practices.
• Engage with students, faculty, staff, and external partners to promote sustainability awareness and participation in sustainability programs.
• Participate in committees, task forces, and workshops to engage with students, faculty, staff, and administration to support the development of tactics to operationalize the institution’s strategies and goals related to sustainability.
• Build and maintain connections with counterparts in other post-secondary institutions to collaborate and share ideas.
• Chair and coordinate meetings for the university's Sustainability Committee.
• Make recommendations to senior leadership to execute strategies to enhance our approach to sustainability initiatives.

Responsibility 4 (10%): Research and Grant Applications

• Conducts research to identify opportunities for grants, rebates, etc.; helps prepare and submit grant and rebate applications.
• Researches and stays current on industry best practices and emerging sustainability trends.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Facilities Management, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in sustainability or environmental management, preferably in a higher education or facilities management setting.
• Strong understanding of sustainability principles, energy management, waste reduction, and environmental compliance.
• LEED accreditation or other relevant sustainability certifications.
• Knowledge of sustainable building practices and green technologies.
• Prior STARS program experience preferred.
• Previous experience in a post-secondary environment is an asset.
• Experience with project management is an asset.
• Experience with identifying external funding opportunities and/or grant writing for sustainability-related projects is an asset.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and sustainability reporting tools.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.

Salary: $65,500.00 - $82,916.00 per annum

Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify erecruiter@mtroyal.ca and we will work together on your accommodation request.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning, and undergraduate research. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories, and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis. Learn more about MRU's Land Acknowledgement.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning, and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources, and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days, and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist, and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments, and certifications for students, employees, and the public.