Sustainability Specialists

Urban Institute

National (OA)

National Occupational Frameworks

Documents

Individual state requirements may vary. Please contact your local apprenticeship office to ensure this version is suitable to your state’s requirements.

Work Process Schedule

Work Process Content

On the Job Training

Anonymous

Skills

Identifies opportunities for sustainability efforts

Collects information about current organizational practices related to sustainability (i.e., waste stream management, energy usage, production impacts, and property-level utility data)
Supports colleagues in the solicitation of areas of improvement from employees and leadership (i.e., through surveys, individual meetings, and focus groups)
Researches or demonstrates comprehension of relevant regulations, reporting standards, certification processes, and other sustainability-related subject areas
Analyzes reports on market trends in sustainable business practices at the request of senior colleagues
Contributes to research enabling leadership to compare potential sustainability initiatives based on cost, effectiveness, feasibility, strategic fit, and acceptance
Identifies potential sustainability indicators based on past initiatives, current practices, and future environmental targets
Gathers information about opportunities for grant funding or tax benefits to support sustainability efforts
Supports the creation, revision, and modification of materiality assessments

Engages in the decisionmaking process and development of plans for sustainability initiatives

Writes initial drafts of documents outlining the costs and benefits of various sustainability strategies
Investigates the most effective and beneficial sustainability initiatives using organizational criteria or frameworks
Aids senior staff in the development of specific objectives, strategies, and timelines for individual sustainability initiatives
Helps ensure that organizational plans reflect company values—including diversity, equity, and inclusion—and demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability
Supports efforts to obtain funding and other resources needed for the implementation of programs and projects through grants, rebates, and tax credits in collaboration with senior staff
Assists senior staff in making recommendations on the distribution of funding for sustainability-related grants or opportunities
Researches external partners and third-party vendors to deliver sustainability-related assessments and aid in project implementation

Participates in the implementation of sustainability programs, projects, and certification

Supports efforts to achieve each sustainability initiative’s core objective in collaboration with senior staff and teams across the organization
Supports the procurement of products and services to implement organizational sustainability programs and projects
Maintains detailed planning and budget documents related to sustainability projects
Supports sustainability engagement using a variety of outreach, marketing, or media strategies
Mitigates the risk of greenwashing throughout the implementation of programs, in communication strategies, and through investments
Supports engaging workshops with internal teams, clients, and other stakeholders
Assists senior staff in communicating and coordinating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Assists senior staff in engaging with external stakeholders such as auditors or certifying bodies (i.e., LEED, WELL, Carbon Neutral, Net-Zero, ESG reporting, Science Based Targets Initiative)

Exhibits technical research expertise on topics related to sustainability

Provides technical research support to other team members regarding sustainability programs or issues
Researches the application of efficiency and reduction measures for both energy and greenhouse gas emissions
Supports the development of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and scopes by gathering and importing data
Assists senior staff in life cycle assessments (LCAs) to model and analyze the carbon intensity of products across the organization’s value chain
Maintains historical data on specific items to support facility life cycle management (FLCM), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) environmental standards, energy and carbon analysis
Explores sustainability certifications, including their requirements and the benefits of completing the certification process for the organization
Examines environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports, corporate policies, sourcing procedures, and other sustainability-related materials for gaps, inflated claims (“greenwashing”), and opportunities for growth

Evaluates and reports on organizational progress toward sustainability goals

Monitors indicators such as water usage, carbon emissions, energy usage, natural resource inputs and impacts, waste generation, and recycling offsets/landfill diversion
Collects and assists in analyzing data, measuring organizational performance against sustainability targets, peer programs, and government requirements
Surveys or collects information on the outcomes and effectiveness of sustainability initiatives
Coordinates with others to review and recommend changes to sustainability programs for cost-effectiveness and impact, seeking and incorporating input from multiple stakeholders
Assists in drafting public-facing reports and sustainability disclosures for the organization
Collaborates with various internal stakeholders to support the development process for annual sustainability reports

Demonstrates project management and communications skills

Manages multiple initiatives independently, following project timelines
Shows cultural understanding in delivering support services
Exhibits effective oral communication skills, including the ability to promote potential initiatives and discuss ongoing programs
Exhibits compelling written communication skills, including the ability to tell a narrative of sustainability and create appealing presentations, reports, and other materials
Demonstrates problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and an ability to adapt to new information, processes, and technologies
Maintains the appropriate level of confidentiality when interacting with management, employees, or colleagues
Uses positive and respectful verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with coworkers and external stakeholders
Complies with organizational policies about inclusivity and equity
Assists in maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment by recognizing and working on one’s own biases
Collaborates with colleagues and functions well within a team
Remains sensitive to the priorities of other teams across the organization
Embodies a passion for sustainability in all organizational activities and a dedication to lifelong learning
Exhibits an understanding of sustainability concepts as they relate to environmental and social justice
Demonstrates an understanding of disproportionate environmental risks, exposures, and responsibility in program design, communications, and community engagement

Demonstrates technology and software skills

Utilizes organizational technology and software to communicate with colleagues, complete daily activities, and meet data demand needs (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Slack, Google Drive, Canva, web design)
Employs industry-standard sustainability management software to conduct initiatives and track program metrics (i.e.Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, IBM Envizi, Enablon Sustainability, emissions monitoring technologies)
Employs industry-standard procurement and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to track environmental impacts and optimize resource usage
Builds knowledge of key concepts in artificial intelligence and the environment, including its application in sustainability efforts
Cultivates an evolving understanding of commonly used artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the field of sustainability
Understands and follows organizational policy on AI and other new tools

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