Coordinator for Sustainability and Outdoor Programs

Job Summary

The Coordinator for Sustainability and Outdoor Programs is responsible for supporting the growth and development of Harvard College’s sustainability initiatives and outdoor programs through the lens of student engagement. This position will also assist the First-Year Outdoor Program Director in the management and execution of the First-Year Outdoor Program. This position is responsible for supporting Student Engagement’s sustainability initiatives including supporting student organizations, student events, and student leadership programs. The coordinator serves as a team member responsible for planning weekend trips, extended break trips, speaker programs, film events, and social programs. This position is a 2-year term-position.

Auto req ID

67560BR

Job Code

404038 Coordinator II (FSS)

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Coordinator for Sustainability and Outdoor Programs

Sub-Unit

College

Salary Grade

055

Time Status

Full-time

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
  
  

• One to three years of experience in the outdoor industry facilitating outdoor education. Experience as a direct in-the-field facilitator for outdoor trips is required. Experience managing the administration of a program, preferably in the outdoor industry, is also required for this role.
  
  

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s Degree preferred.
  
  

• Demonstrated experience engaging, advising, collaborating, and cultivating connections with college-aged populations.
  
  

• A strong understanding of sustainability and impact on communities
  
  
• Experience working with outdoor education and sustainability initiatives.
  
  
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required.
  
  

Additional Information

Risk Management & Safety (15%)

• Collaborate with First-Year Outdoor Program Directors to maintain and enhance the risk management and safety protocols of outdoor trips in accordance with industry best practices. This includes annual policy updates, improving trainings and additional in-the-field experience for our leaders, improving systems of communication for logistical and emergency response for trips in the field, and analyzing incident data and feedback each year to identify and rectify policies or practices that may have contributed to incidents in the field.
  
  

• Aid in organizing and facilitating Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid courses for student leaders, working with contractors from certification organizations such as NOLS or SOLO, and assisting in the delivery of the curriculum. The Sustainability coordinator should hold a Wilderness First Responder certification or higher medical certification to serve as an effective assistant facilitator during these trainings.
  
  

Sustainability Initiatives (25%)

• Lead sustainability initiatives within the First-Year Outdoor Program and collaborate with Student Engagement initiatives to improve the percentage of equipment sourced from federally recognized sustainable labels, improve waste streams, and review practices to reduce our environmental impact.
  
  

• Manage sustainability services for student organizations in conjunction with Student Organization staff. The coordinator will partner with these student organizations to assess current sustainable practices and work to improve on-campus events and partnerships with FOP (First year Outdoor Programs).
  
  

• Assist in developing and promoting sustainability programming and initiatives for campus events such as Crimson Jam and Harvard Yale to provide better access to local food, vegan or low carbon emission food, and merchandise sourced from companies with a federally recognized sustainability label.
  
  

Department

Dean of Students office

Pre-Employment Screening

CORI, DMV, Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday -Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

Position Description

First-Year Outdoor Program (30%)

• Advise and support the First-Year Outdoor Program Steering Committee and Leader Corps by guiding program development and participant engagement. The Steering Committee is responsible for reviewing and editing long-term program goals such as sustainability, EDI initiatives, new trip offerings and updating FOP policy, as well as shorter term projects like selecting and training new leaders, confirming itineraries of current trips, managing FOP swag, and managing program outreach through social media, email, and our website. The Sustainability coordinator will work with the FOP Director to support the SC in these initiatives as well as leadership development for the SC members. The LC is responsible for attending trainings, facilitating trainings (for returning leaders), gaining relevant certifications to safely operate, and facilitating the actual trips we lead in the field. The Sustainability Coordinator will work with the FOP director in designing and implementing these trainings, training LC facilitators to deliver good curriculum, working on additional LC leadership development initiatives, and co-facilitating logistical and emergency support for trips in the field. Thier role as an advisor focuses on helping these students to accomplish their goals as Steering Committee members and Leader Corps members.
  
  

• Work with the FOP Director to directly facilitate leadership training programs and initiatives for the First-Year Outdoor Program Steering Committee and Leader Corps. They will assist in the development and delivery of leadership curriculum for both SC and LC. Their role as a facilitator involves being physically present and delivering curriculum to our SC and LC.
  
  

• Each year there is a rigorous application for becoming a fop leader with more than double the amount of applicants as we have open spaces for. This position will assist the First-Year Outdoor Program Director in selecting, training, and developing members of the Steering Committee and Leader Corps. They will be in the room for the decision process and be an active part of FOP’s consensus-based model for leader decisions.
  
  

Trip & Outdoor Operations Management (30%)

• Manage logistical operations and expand offerings of Harvard Outdoor Programs in collaboration with the First-Year Outdoor Program Director. Logistical operations of Harvard Outdoor Programs include transportation, food, equipment, permits, campsites, lodging, and working with community partners for our on campus events and off campus camping trips.
  
  

• Planning operations include identifying and securing the necessary and appropriate transportation, lodging resources, as well as emergency response protocols for the trip leaders and participants.
  
  

• Work with student gear managers and the FOP Director to purchase, maintain and ensure the safety of all the equipment for both the rental & trip programs. They will be providing training to student gear managers on the proper use and maintenance of our equipment, applying for wholesale purchasing deals from our gear suppliers, and completing purchases of new gear.
  
  

• Coordinator will manage equipment inventory by tracking purchase, use, maintenance, and student feedback data over time to determine future gear purchases and decommissioning old or unsafe equipment.
  
  

• Manage the student gear managers to ensure a high quality of repair, and instruction for users.
  
  

• Track and process all trip and FOP related expenses and payments to both vendors and individuals in accordance with University Financial policies and procedures.
  
  

See remaining responsibilities in Additional Information section

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Certificates and Licenses

Yes: Driver’s License with clean record for the past 2 years

Physical Requirements

• Lifting, walking, and hiking long distances outdoors.
• A fully packed pack on one of our trips can be between 50-70 lbs.
• The equipment in the gear room ranges from less than one pound for single items, 20-40 pounds for a fully loaded bin of gear, and over 100 pounds to be carried by two people for a fully loaded bin of food.
• The distances on our trips range from 1-3 miles of walking per day to 9-11 miles of walking per day with considerable elevation gain on these hikes (1000-4000 feet of elevation gain depending on itinerary).

Working Conditions

• Office & frequently outside coordinating numerous outdoor trips throughout the fall and spring semester (day trips and single night overnights with the potential for longer trips facilitated over official school breaks),
• 8-10 training trips in May, as well as 40-50 FOP trips in August.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)



Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.