Conservation Program Coordinator (Circular Business Engagement)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture, Business, Environmental Studies, Natural Science, Planning, and Resource Management or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of related experience.
• Masters Degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

Austin Resource Recovery ( ARR ) provides many services to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. The City of Austin has a stated commitment to achieving Zero Waste, an initiative that requires new thinking, policy, and communications about the way we buy, use and dispose of everyday items. This position will seek to provide Austinites with the knowledge and ability to extend the life of their everyday items; provides circular economy businesses with economic development support that enables them to create good jobs, especially for underrepresented populations; and fosters a resilient zero waste ecosystem in Central Texas.

ARR is hiring a Conservation Program Coordinator to help grow and retain businesses supporting the zero waste and circular economy industry. This position will be responsible for enterprises that focus on waste as a resource, circular design, and sustainable material innovation. Circular businesses rethink how products and services are designed, used and handled at the end of life. These businesses play an important part of Austin’s shift towards achieving a sustainable circular economy, mitigating climate change and achieving environmental justice. This position will be part of the Circular Economy Program, and report to two managers, within Austin Resource Recovery and Economic Development.

This position will be expected to:
-Maintain relationships with local businesses through activities such as conducting business retention visits and facilitating industry roundtables.
-Establish and maintain relationships with community ecosystem partners (e.g. workforce development, chamber, higher education, and other economic development community partners).
-Identify and compile data and report on trends within the local industry.
-Coordinate existing programming to encourage and help grow small businesses and entrepreneurs in the circular ecosystem, such as Circular Accelerator and Showcase.
-Maintain a high level of communication and transparency as they collaborate across two different departments.
-If deemed appropriate based on skill set, assist with identifying business recruitment and expansion prospects (including developing leads, conducting site visits, facilitating connections with community partners)

Additional Information:

Benefits: Working with the City of Austin at Austin Resource Recovery ( ARR ) provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

Assessment
A competency assessment may be required to verify your skill set.

This posting may be used to fill other similar positions within Austin Resource Recovery outside of the division listed above.

Application Information:
A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Your application should reflect your complete employment history (to include all job duties responsibilities and employment dates) on your online application. Record all work experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more for determining salary. No other work history can be added after your application is submitted through e-Career. You will not be given the opportunity to provide additional work experience once you complete and submit your job application. If selected as the top candidate, you will not be permitted to present additional work experience for salary calculation purposes. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., “see resume” or “see Linked In Profile”). The responses to the supplemental questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on your application. No resumes for this job posting.

Skills Assessments: A competency assessment may be required to verify your skill set.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other similar positions within Austin Resource Recovery outside of the division listed above.

Virtual Interviews: Austin Resource Recovery may conduct virtual interviews.

Travel:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Military/Veteran - Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of interview.

Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All Austin Resource Recovery locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any ARR worksite - including parking lot or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
$32.23 - $40.29

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Employee may be required to work some early mornings (6:00 am), after hours and some weekends due to business needs
Job Close Date 03/12/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Resource Recovery Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience or education in a field related to sustainability, circular economy or zero waste
• Knowledge of business development acumen, such as economic development, small business financing, start-up funding, cluster development, and entrepreneurship ecosystems
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to host or organize events, such as business pitch events or community education events
• Ability to travel to more than one location

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Designs, develops, implements, and evaluates educational or outreach programs that promote energy, water, or natural resource conservation awareness and initiatives. Coordinates and manages educational or outreach events, small projects, contracts, marketing, and on-line literature content to promote energy, water, or natural resource conservation awareness and initiatives. Analyzes energy, water, or natural resource conservation-related research findings to inform or make recommendations on program structure or program delivery to City leadership and other stakeholders. Develops, establishes, and manages service agreements with other programs, departments, and agencies. Researches energy, water, or natural resource conservation policies, best practices, and legislation to recommend changes to conservation initiatives. Prepares studies, reports, memoranda, briefs, or other written materials on energy, water, or natural resource conservation to inform customers, City leadership, and other stakeholders. Provides analytical support for policy briefs and program development related to energy, water, or natural resource conservation. Prepares grant applications to obtain funding for programs related to energy, water, or natural resource conservation. Reviews permit or plan revisions with project engineers and contractors. Reviews, evaluates, and recommends changes to technical reports, studies, and other departmental written materials. Provides technical advice to Conservation Program personnel.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership; lead cross-functional and departmental conservation project teams; work assignments; evaluation; training; and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of energy or water efficiency technologies, practices, programs and rebate requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes, energy or water retrofit requirements and specifications.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of department energy or water resource initiatives and targets.
• Knowledge of construction materials, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to negotiate.
• Ability to determine quality of materials, workmanship and compliance with specifications..
• Ability to handle conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to lead cross-functional and departmental project teams.
• Ability to operate and maintain testing and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to use graphic instructions, such as blue prints, schematic drawings, plans, maps or other visual aids.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the position are graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture, Business, Environmental Studies, Natural Science, Planning, and Resource Management or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of related experience. Masters Degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience or education in a field related to sustainability, circular economy or zero waste. If this does not apply to you, please put "N/A."
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your knowledge of business development acumen, such as economic development, small business financing, start-up funding, cluster development, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience working with multiple stakeholders to host or organize events, such as business pitch events or community education events
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
(Open Ended Question)
* How did you hear about this opportunity? (The information requested is optional and is not considered as part of the application for employment.)

• Employee Referral
• Online Advertising/Media
• ARR Job Fair
• Workforce Solutions Job Fair
• COA Website
• CDL Driving School
• Other

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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