Department:

UF IFAS Extension & Sustainability

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and raising awareness about sustainability? In this role, you'll educate community members and employees to inspire behavior change, promote savings, and help achieve sustainability goals. You'll support sustainability initiatives through education and engagement while serving as a resource for county and community partners on relevant topics. Apply today!

Education, Outreach and Engagement

Ensure a coordinated approach to community outreach and education including the adoption and implementation of relevant campaigns, prioritization of topics based on community need, promotion of priority messages and strategic engagement tools.Lead planning and implementation efforts for sustainability events and workshops:Workshops, events and meetings: Examples include the annual Sustainable Communities Workshop and other educational events and meetings throughout the year on key issues. Tasks include coordination of planning committees, identification of speakers, securing sponsorships, development of materials, event promotion, marketing, and oversight of budget, team members, and contracted services.Classes: Create and deliver sustainability trainings and classes on priority topics, with a particular focus on extreme heat, energy, green building, and sustainable living; engage new and diverse audiences; implement creative education strategies and technologies to achieve education goals.Assist with the Energy Upgrade volunteer program by helping with volunteer recruitment, marketing, organizing training sessions, communicating with volunteers, scheduling classes and upgrade installs, and working with program partners.Assist with grant projects by creating documents, tracking, reporting, implementing project and communication plans, working with project partners, and other tasks as needed. Grant projects currently include working with state and federal agencies, local non-profits, foundations, and other partners on assessing and implementing energy and water efficiency measures in buildings, energy equity outreach, clean air, pollution reduction and climate and resilience plans. Track and report results of education and outreach efforts according to Department guidance and in a way that will contribute to continuous improvement of programming.Develop and implement outreach programs, events and technical reports related to priority subject areas to foster a community culture of sustainability.Maintain an understanding of the policy and best practices for sustainability elsewhere around the state and country. Assist in development of programs and policy.Work directly with low-income, disadvantaged, and climate-vulnerable communities to co-design programs that address their unique needs and priorities, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.Lead efforts to reduce barriers to participation in sustainability programs by creating accessible outreach and leveraging partnerships with trusted community organizations.Play a key role in identifying and developing sustainability projects that align with your expertise.

Communication and Coordination

Develop and maintain communication tools for use with various partners such as County and Extension Sustainability websites, Employee Sustainability intranet site, subject-specific brochures, informative emails and e-newsletters, blogs, social media posts, GIS story maps, videos and other material that furthers the sustainability education mission.Showcase success stories both across the community and within the enterprise to highlight completed projects and support the spread of demonstration projects.Maintain regular communication with diverse, strategic community and enterprise partners and provide regular opportunities for networking and engagement with a goal of ensuring a connected and informed sustainability network.Represent county sustainability at community events and speaking engagements.Cultivate critical relationships both internally and externally: cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with agencies, organizations and business representatives; maintain knowledge of their sustainability priorities and incorporate that into development of new programs; facilitate opportunities to maintain and showcase Sarasota County’s leadership position.Develop and maintain Sarasota County’s reputation and relationship with key agencies and organizations responsible for program demonstrations, funding and collaboration opportunities, and leadership opportunities.Assist with scheduling various meetings and events for the sustainability program team.

Analysis and Consultation

Regularly research and maintain working knowledge of best practices in sustainability programs and policy, including green building, energy conservation, resilience and other identified subject matter expertise such as event planning; develop approachable technical reports and otherwise apply that knowledge in application of education goals above.Analyze policy options as necessary: work with staff to inform the community on opportunities and impediments related to community sustainability through local, state and federal policy.Provide as needed analytic and information services on a range of sustainability related tasks including benchmarking, emissions inventories, technology, funding, and networking; Serve as a consultant to internal and external stakeholders in their efforts to improve sustainability and implement innovative practices.Conduct and analyze surveys to determine program impact and metrics. Regularly track and report metrics to show success and evaluate opportunities for improvement.Assist in identifying and pursuing funding and sponsorship sources.Manage projects and project team members through the planning, organization, monitoring, reporting and control of assigned projects. This will include development of project plans with tasks, timelines, responsibilities and budgets as well as responsiveness to requests from others in a timely fashion and ensuring team members stay on track with tasks.Manage and analyze data in spreadsheets and other data management tools for the sustainability program team.Perform other tasks as requested by the Sustainability and Resilience Manager.

Work Hours: 

Monday – Friday8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.May work some nights and weekends, depending on scheduled events

About You

Minimum Qualifications:  

A Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Communications, Education or related field AND three (3) years of related experience.-OR- A Master’s Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Communications, Education or related field AND two (2) years of related experience.-OR- Related community events/activities planning may substitute for the required education. Some supervisory experience may be required.Valid Florida Driver's license at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience and education in sustainability, environmental work or related outreach and education, networking facilitation, event planning and coordination, and marketing.Sustainability-related accreditation such as LEED GA, LEED AP or International Society of Sustainability Professionals Certificate. Demonstrated understanding of and connections to the network of sustainability professionals and advocates in Sarasota County.

Job Competencies:  

Expertise on sustainability and an understanding or all or some of: energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative transportation, green building, social sustainability, equity, event planning, and environmental education and communication. Working knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply innovative educational techniques designed to engage the audience and ensure retention.Experience with database management and eNewsletter programs.

Physical Demands: May occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.

Level II Fingerprinting: This position is subject to passing a Level II Fingerprinting.

SPECIAL NOTE: Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

About Everything Else

Pay: $56,139.20 - $60,008.00/ annually, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.