Summary of Position
The Sustainability Manager supports and executes Allegheny College’s formal commitments to carbon neutrality (achieved in 2020), energy efficiency, decarbonization, environmental justice, and community resilience. Reporting to and collaborating closely with the Director of Sustainability, the Manager is essential in coordinating and advancing the unique and long-standing culture of sustainability, change-making, creativity, and inclusion on our small liberal arts campus. The Manager will contribute meaningfully to existing programs such as our campus organic garden, food forest, career closet, Bike Share, reusable takeout, and green move-out while also helping vision and develop new resources and strategies. The position requires a dynamic balance of independent work with direct partner engagement; administrative logistics with hands-on action; and existing knowledge and skills with the willingness and ability to learn and grow. The Sustainability Manager will uphold a strong commitment to balancing environmental, social, and financial responsibilities, and will support Allegheny College’s mission to prepare young adults for successful, meaningful lives in which they are equipped to meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world.
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Key Responsibilities
- Project & Program Implementation – Develop, manage, and facilitate diverse sustainability initiatives, programs and inclusive resources to meet college goals and objectives.
- Student Management – Provide training, oversight, leadership, and mentorship for students – including office and garden employees; and collaborators in student government, clubs, organizations, and themed housing.
- Research and Assessment – Conduct research on best practices and standards, peer methodologies, emerging technologies, policy developments, funding opportunities, and regulatory requirements in order to inform new efforts and policies. Assess campus operations and policies to quantify impact, identify areas of opportunity, and recommend improvements.
- Stakeholder Engagement – Build and maintain functional and reciprocal relationships across campus to support institutional goals of sustainability, engaged learning, recruitment and retention, and a vibrant and inclusive campus. Share information, facilitate understanding, encourage behavioral change, and promote cooperation.
- Event & Workshop Coordination – Coordinate and host events and workshops to engage the campus community in a multidimensional understanding of and experience with sustainability.
- Education & Communication – Develop and implement plans to raise awareness and educate both on and off-campus audiences through presentations, publications, educational materials, campaigns, engagement efforts, newsletters, and social media.
- Data Collection & Reporting – Collect, monitor, analyze, and report program data to campus partners and external bodies such as AASHE STARS, SIMAP, and Portfolio Manager.
- Uphold the Core Values of Allegheny College: always strive for success; be flexible; be a problem solver; take a creative approach; and collaborate with positive energy. This may include committee work and other duties to fulfill institutional functions rather than solely fulfilling the functions of this specific position.
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Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. All fields of study are welcome. Study of environmental science, sustainability, justice and equity are preferred.
- 1-3 years of related professional experience required
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Required Knowledge
To perform this job successfully, an individual must understand the interconnected nature of climate, justice, and equity and be able to effectively apply this knowledge on a small, residential, liberal arts campus. The ideal candidate should be knowledgeable of or equipped to quickly learn about many aspects of campus sustainability and community resilience and understand the intersection between social and environmental justice. Particularly strong knowledge and experience in one or more areas is preferred – including but not limited to project management; greenhouse gas inventories; energy management and retrofits; building operation and management; cultivating behavior change; managing an organic garden of vegetables, fruit trees, and bees; climate justice; community resilience; policy and systems change; etc.
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Required Skills and Abilities
The ideal Manager is skilled at researching, designing, facilitating, and effectively implementing collaborative programs and projects; actively listening and facilitating meetings and partnerships; building strong relationships; managing and analyzing data; communicating both verbally and in writing; and supervising student employees and/or interns. Self-motivation, creative problem-solving, a commitment to quality and details, self-accountability, and the ability to work well with a diverse team are all essential skills for this role.
Essential abilities include effectively communicating and collaborating with a diversity of partners and stakeholders; toggling seamlessly between long-term vision and short-term process details; working both independently and collaboratively; approaching projects and problems with creativity and confidence; and maintaining a willingness and ability to learn new skills and accept new challenges. Some weekend and evening duties to host and support events as well as share in the care of garden operations, will be required.
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Compensation
Starting salary will be competitive, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Expected starting salary: $52,000.00 – full time, exempt
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The Hiring Process
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and provide contact information for three references to the Office of Human Resources, Allegheny College, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or by e-mail to employment@allegheny.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
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ALLEGHENY COLLEGE
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s oldest and most innovative four-year colleges where multidisciplinary learning breaks the conventional mold. It is one of the few colleges in the United States with a unique requirement to choose both a major and minor for graduation, to provide students with a cross-disciplinary path in the sciences and humanities for educational depth and intellectual growth. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College is one of 44 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives.” In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s 100 top national liberal arts colleges — and including in the top 25 Undergraduate Teaching, Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects, First-Year Experience, and Senior Capstone.
Allegheny’s undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students’ intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny’s faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).
Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, creed, national/ethnic origin, ancestry, veterans, handicap or disability as those terms are defined under applicable law, or members of other underrepresented groups.
Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Office of Human Resources
Visit the Allegheny College Web Site at www.allegheny.edu