Climate Action Manager

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods. Swarthmore College was recently ranked number 3 in the 2021 US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/swarthmore-college-3370.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore College has a long history of honoring the natural environment and working to protect both it and the people who depend on it. Our ongoing environmental sustainability work builds proudly on our Quaker legacy of shared responsibility, social justice, and resource stewardship. The Office of Sustainability supports and inspires the College community to integrate sustainability into all aspects of campus life: teaching, learning, operations, and culture.

The Opportunity:

The Climate Action Manager will report to the Director of Sustainability and under general supervision will lead climate protection activities across the institution and in partnership with other organizations. This includes managing the College’s award-winning Carbon Charge program, leading projects to increase renewable energy and decrease carbon emissions associated with the College, developing strategies to address greenhouse gas emissions, and overseeing outreach and engagement efforts with the campus community and other groups.

The Climate Action Manager will work with the Director of Sustainability, the Associate Vice President for Sustainable Facilities Operation and Capital Planning, ITS, Maintenance, Capital Planning, Finance staff and other key stakeholders to support implementation of the Roadmap to Zero Carbon, the College’s Energy Plan that charts the path to eliminating Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in support of the College’s 2035 carbon neutrality commitment. The position will also lead efforts to develop a Scope 3 emissions reduction strategy and will manage projects to reduce campus carbon emissions. Such projects may include improving campus metering, measuring and reducing air travel, exploring low-carbon commuting options, and being part of sustainable construction projects.

This position will manage the Carbon Charge Program, which was established in 2016 to incentivize emissions reductions, engage the community, fund sustainability work, and build momentum for climate solutions. The Carbon Charge levies a fee on departments and offices for campus emissions that provides more than $300,000 annually for greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects. The program also includes a shadow price on carbon that is integrated into cost benefit analysis for capital planning decisions. This position will lead the Carbon Charge Committee in ongoing management and improvement of the program and will collaborate with other institutions to share the model more widely.

This position also plays a strategic leadership role in outreach, education, research, and projects to help Swarthmore respond to the urgency of climate change in teaching, learning, operations, and community engagement. The position oversees communication efforts for the Office of Sustainability, including social media and other campus communication efforts. The Climate Action Manager will also support the College’s annual delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) and related campus engagement efforts.

Who You Are:

• Excellent verbal and written communication, data compilation and analysis, and organizational skills; ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with a high degree of independent judgment and discretion under general supervision.
• Technical knowledge in at least three of the following areas: green building design and operation as evidenced by project experience and/or a LEED AP professional accreditation; greenhouse gas accounting; campus metering and measurement and verification of energy efficiency and conservation expertise; carbon pricing policy expertise; renewable energy, greenhouse gas mitigation, resilience planning, and/or life cycle cost analysis expertise.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3-5 years of professional work experience or the equivalent combination of work experience and education.
• Experience working in higher education and an advanced degree in a relevant field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental and social sustainability and climate protection through previous work, volunteer experience, and/or academic experience.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time, occasionally move equipment or boxes weighing up to 40 pounds across campus for various activity needs.
• Will need to participate in regular weekend or evening events, meetings, or other activities.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus. If you are excited about this role, we want to hear from you!

For full consideration, submit applications including resume and cover letter with pay expectations by April 29, 2022.

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Advertised: Apr 06 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: