Program Associate

Syracuse University's Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) seeks a skilled and dynamic Program Associate to support the Assistant Director of Reuse and Sustainable Organics Management with the implementation of sponsored programs (i.e., grants) funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY-ESF, and others. Grant focuses include sustainable materials management (i.e., waste reduction, reuse, and recycling), natural resources management, environmental sustainability, climate change, and environmental finance. The Program Associate will lead efforts for NYS communities and Native Nations to help advance the adoption of SMM solutions, especially those related to reuse and repair, textiles donation and recycling, and organics recycling. Tasks will include but are not limited to providing technical assistance, developing tools and resources, facilitating professional and community groups, conducting outreach and engagement, and grant writing. This is a 40-hour per week, year-round position. This position is based in Syracuse, NY. Periodic travel throughout NYS will be required. The Program Associate will report to the Center's Assistant Directors.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental science, environmental biology, natural resources management, sustainability, or closely related focus required.

• Experience working in the field(s) of waste reduction, sustainable materials management, natural resources management, environmental education, sustainable development, and/or environmental consulting.

Job Specific Qualifications

• Meeting planning and facilitation.

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication.

• Requires sustainable materials management concepts (e.g., waste reduction, reuse, and recycling).

• Knowledge of reuse and repair programs and infrastructure, outreach and engagement, time/task management, systems thinking, survey methods, grant writing, organics recycling (e.g., composting) systems, soil health practices, sustainable community development strategies, and environmental communication best practices.

Responsibilities

• Advance the mission and vision of the CSCS-EFC, the "Center", by leading grant-funded environmental and community focused projects throughout U.S. EPA Region 2 (i.e., New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight native nations).

• Support the Center's Assistant Directors with assessing and improving the environmental, social, and economic services it provides to NYS communities and beyond.

• Foster the development of professional skills, expertise and knowledge, and career goals of the Center's student interns through mentorship and by cultivating an inclusive and supportive work environment.

• Strengthen partnerships in NYS that enhance the Center's capacity and programming and that benefit its partners and stakeholders and their communities.

• Incorporate approaches to all Center-related work that strive for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.

• Lead NYS-based projects, activities, and tasks related to environmental/community sustainability and sustainable materials management (SMM).

• Develop and lead the facilitation of technical assistance and training opportunities for key stakeholders in rural and urban communities to advance SMM, reuse and repair, and organics recycling throughout NYS.

• Develop trainings, conference sessions, data collection activities, tours, and other events related to SMM, reuse and repair, and organics recycling initiatives, including planning, logistics, promotion, facilitation, and follow-up.

• Co-lead the NYS SMM Stewardship Program by educating college and university students on the fundamentals of SMM and by guiding them through implementation of community-based SMM projects.

• Develop and distribute SMM-related resources, tools, educational materials, outreach communications, and other outputs and deliverables for NYS-based programs.

• Convene community stakeholders, SMM professionals, and academic researchers by arranging meetings, facilitating communications, and managing group documents.

• Incorporate experiential knowledge, current scientific research, and up-to-date professional best practices into SMM projects, activities, outputs, products, and deliverables.

• Develop and implement feedback mechanisms (e.g., surveys) for project partners, stakeholders, and audiences served by Center projects and programs.

• Utilize program evaluation methods and metrics to assess successes, impacts, and opportunities for improvement of Center projects.

• Identify new funding opportunities for NYS programming related to environmental sustainability, SMM, reuse and repair, and organics recycling.

• Conceptualize new project ideas related to SMM, reuse and repair, and organics recycling, and lead the development of grant applications for future funding opportunities.

• Develop quarterly reports for grant-funded projects and activities including work conducted, grant deliverables completed, and qualitative and quantitative impacts.

• Other duties and tasks as determined and assigned.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.