Director, Environmental, Stewardship, and Sustainability

Primary Function:

The University of the South invites applications for its Director of the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee, comprises a nationally ranked residential College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology. The University is strongly committed to the values of intellectual inquiry, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and living and serving in community. Situated on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee is known for its stunning natural beauty while providing easy access to Chattanooga, Nashville, and Huntsville. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and seeks to help employees of all backgrounds and identities flourish.

 

Sewanee’s land, commonly called the “Domain” includes approximately 10,000 acres of forest, which provides an extraordinary opportunity for academic research and recreation. The University is in the process of implementing a Climate Action Plan, enhancing student-faculty research, and fostering sustainable development in the community and on campus. The position offers an excellent opportunity to lead the Office’s contribution to these important endeavors.

 

Leads the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability staff in the office’s strategic planning and works with offices across campus to implement the plan.

 

Provides overall leadership, direction, oversight, and promotion of the environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives and practices provided by the University of the South.  This includes collaboration between the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability (OESS) staff and the wider university community including senior administration, students, faculty, and staff. Accountable for environmental programs that support the core mission of the University: Domain Management, Sustain Sewanee, the University Farm, and the Sewanee Headwaters Initiative.

 

Works with faculty and key administrators to bridge curricular and co-curricular work related to environmental stewardship and sustainability activities, natural resource and land management, and research projects on the University’s 13,000 acres.

 

Opportunities for Leadership: 

This position works with considerable independence and self-direction. Only the general direction and scope of the work to be accomplished are discussed with the supervisor. The staff member is expected to carry out position duties independently and understands what is expected and how to do it. 

 

This position will directly:

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate:
  • Domain Manager
  • Research Coordinator
  • Farm Manager
  • University Archeologist
  • Sustainability Program Manager

This position will indirectly supervise: 

• Assistant Farm Manager
• Sustainability Fellows Coordinator
• Domain Ranger. 

 

Career Band: 3C

 

Typical Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate the University efforts to elevate our position as a leader in environmental stewardship.

2. Develops and recommends standards, policies, and ideas to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship; identifies desirable initiatives and assesses their feasibility and acceptance within the University community. 

3. Identifies and pursues external funding as appropriate.

4. Collaborates with decision-makers in various University programs (e.g., master planning and individual project planning) to advance environmental stewardship and sustainability standards.

5. Provides leadership and vision to create, foster, lead and implement strategic planning, operating plans, and programmatic goals for OESS and each individual program.  

6. Leads project planning and development for the Domain's large-scale thematic and fine-grained recreational, educational, and research use. 

7. Facilitates, and assists in maximizing the impact of, university research on the greater Domain by developing relationships with external partners.

8. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Machines & Equipment Used:

Potentially outdoor maintenance and management equipment such as chainsaws, driving ATVs and ATUs, prescribed fire equipment, and field survey equipment.

 

Judgment Required: 

The performance of the essential duties of this position is dependent upon independent ingenuity and developmental efforts.

Budgetary Responsibility: 

Directly prepares the budget for OESS programs and is responsible for planning, forecasting, approving, and balancing the budget.

 

Personal Interaction/Communication:

• Student Contact: As mentors, work-study, interns, and as needed for co-curricular activities.
• Internal: Senior Administration, collaboration with faculty and departments for environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives.
• External: NGOs, visitors, parents, other colleges, Agencies (USDA, TWRA, FWS, TDEC, etc..), Regents & Trustees.

 

Education:

M.S. in a field of environmental studies, Ph.D. preferred

Experience: 

• A minimum of 10 years of work experience with progression toward leadership functions in the following areas:
  • Collaborating with various stakeholders involved in natural resource conservation and management of protected areas for research and/or educational purposes.
  • Environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives and practices
  • In establishing and maintaining long-term databases
  • In success in securing major grants and other funding

Job-Related Skills: 

Diplomacy, team building, integration.

 

Confidential Information: 

Salaries & employment records of staff supervised, organizational plans/projects.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to climb (many stairs, and ladders).
• Must be able to crawl and or kneel.
• Must be able to push and/or pull objects.
• Must be able to navigate steep and rough terrain.
• Must be able to lift between 21-50 pounds (Medium work).

 

Any additional requirements specific to this position:

 

DEI Institutional Statement:

At the University of the South, our commitment to inclusion and belonging is grounded in our core values of community, courage, flourishing, and inquiry. We seek to build a community enriched by our diversity and centered on equity, justice, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of the South is an equal-opportunity educational institution that is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment.