Sustainability Manager (Waste and Environmental Compliance)

Job Title:                               Sustainability Manager (Waste and Environmental Compliance)

Department:                          Estates and Facilities

                                               Estates Operations

Grade:                                   Grade 7

Salary range:                        £35,333-£42,155

Working arrangements:      Permanent

                                               Full time (nominal 35 hours) 

                                              Hybrid Working

Closing date:                       26th September 2022

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here .

The Role and Department

The Sustainability Manager (Waste and Environmental Compliance) will be responsible for developing and implementing the University’s waste policy and procedures and ensuring environmental compliance with statutory and regulatory legislation.

You will also contribute to a wide-range of environmental activities, including behavioural change programmes, sustainability initiatives, and the University’s Environmental Management System and compliance.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a range of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (a total of 42 days per year).
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing, including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Onsite nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema, and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available, to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.   At Durham, we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community that is supportive and inclusive.  It is important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.  We will make adjustments to support the interview process, wherever it is reasonable to do so, and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV
• A supporting statement or covering letter, which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Simon Park, Senior Energy and Sustainability Manager, [email protected].

Further information about the role

Role Delivery

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Contribute to development of operational service activities, to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, management and monitoring of policies, procedures and management guidelines on waste.
• Responsible for managing the waste budget, keeping records and processing invoices, where applicable. 
• Provide management for the University’s Waste Policy and/or processes ensuring a high-quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff.
• Ensure the review and improvement of systems and procedures in line with University and Departmentor unit frameworks.
• Distribute waste information and provide advice to stakeholders regarding compliance and regulations.
• Ensure regulations and procedures are updated, to take account of internal and external changes.
• Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with statutory and regulatory legislation.
• Introduce procedures to achieve and maintain Environmental Management System accreditation.

Planning and Organisation

• Implement changes to the design and development of processes, techniques and deliverables for waste and environmental compliance.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of waste initiatives.
• Analyse waste data and provide reports to Service Heads making recommendations for improvement, as appropriate.
• Plan, organise and implement campus events and campaigns, to promote waste and environmental compliance, as required.

Teamwork

• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of environmental services.
• Provide cover for other colleagues within the Sustainability team, as required.

Communications and Networking

• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Contribute to and lead environmental meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Provide proactive and comprehensive input and support to the wider-University, to achieve strategic and operational environmental priorities.
• Provide advice to stakeholders in relation to University’s Environmental policy, procedures and regulations.
• Coordinate and oversee committee working and deal with complaints.
• Provide training and/or instruction to stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience

• Recognised professional sustainability practitioner and service specialist.
• Provide specialist environmental compliance expertise and support with complex data and information sources, interpretation and analysis.
• Identify and design activities to meet the University’s sustainability objectives.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals, such as widening participation and access, and provision of sustainability advice using specialist knowledge.
• Awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement , which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria