Sustainability Coordinator – City of La Crosse

Position Service Site: City of La Crosse (City Hall in La Crosse, WI)

Service Time: September 9, 2024 – August 22, 2025 (1,700 Hour AmeriCorps Term, 50 weeks, 35 hours per week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $23,000 ($460 per week). Education Award of approximately $7,300 upon successful completion of service. To find out more about the Award: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more.

Health insurance optional (1,700-hour positions only, available for individuals who are not already covered).

Requirements: Covid-19 vaccine required.

OVERVIEW:  The City of La Crosse’s goal is to provide young environmental leaders with the opportunity to gain relevant professional experiences that serve the environment and the community. The City is focused on combating climate change and building more sustainable practices within the municipal practices and communitywide. The City of La Crosse adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in January 2023. This plan establishes greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets through 2030.

Learn more at www.cityoflacrosse.org/climateaction

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The City’s Sustainability Coordinator will assist the Environmental Planner and Climate Action Plan Steering Committee (CAPSC) in implementing the CAP. The plan addresses nine sectors through 41 strategies which are supported by 281 actions. This role requires creative problem solving to take what’s on paper into the world using incentives, regulations, pilot projects, and community engagement. In addition, the City participates in multiple sustainability programs and has secured several grants that require data collection, reporting, and promotion. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Improvement

• Identifying sources for climate change information and compiling data to report to LEED for Cities, Green Tier Legacy Communities, and CDP.
• Support staff in meeting the benchmarks for action in the CAP.
• Help develop and guide an interdepartmental green team.
• Assist CAPSC working groups in researching program development of climate actions.

Programming

• Research and design projects that incorporate baseline information from the CAP.
• Design and implement programs on climate actions and create supporting documentation and presentation materials.
• Identify and develop virtual resources related to climate action.
• Assist with the implementation and reporting on granted projects.

Program Marketing

• Increase awareness of the CAP and promote climate action through community outreach events.
• Assist with designing, improving, and updating public engagement material for the CAP.
• Collaborate with community organizations on public awareness campaigns for climate action.
• Help create or curate simple “how-to” videos and infographics, including but not limited to sustainable lifestyles, recycling, composting, etc.
• Create an outreach plan to connect with local and environmental organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A team player and good communicator with flexible attitude and eagerness to learn.
• Physically active and able to lift at least 30 lbs. (occasionally 50lbs) with stooping and bending.
• Ability to present, virtually and in-person to a variety of stakeholders and the public.
• Able to work in all weather conditions conducive of Wisconsin, and willingness to be flexible for night and weekend service opportunities.
• Physically able to work long days outside on steep, rugged terrain, which involves some lifting, carrying, bending, and hiking across uneven terrain.
• An intrepid sense of curiosity and enthusiasm about research.
• Willing to interact inter-generationally and inter-culturally in a respectful manner.
• Ability to take direction and accept constructive criticism with a strong sense of responsibility and follow – through.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks with attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Education and/or experience in community health, recreation management, education, environmental studies, sustainability, and climate resilience a plus.
• Technology proficient in platforms such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and ArcGIS.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed.

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at [email protected] or Wisconsin Relay 711.