Job no: 501019
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Meal Plan Office
Union: USA/MTA
Categories: Administrative/Office Support, Food Service/Hospitality

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Track, analyze, and report on sustainability data, research current trends, and propose metrics to increase sustainability in division-wide procurement for Auxiliary Enterprises. Provide sustainability-related recommendations, projections and reports as needed, and/or requested in accordance with goals and objectives developed collaboratively with the Sustainability Director. Along with the Director, be a point of contact with community partners and identify opportunities for collaborative sustainability projects. Support sustainability projects through development, proposal writing, coordination, and data management.

Essential Functions

• Work with Sustainability Director to make recommendations to Purchasing Manager and Residential Dining Director, rendering local sustainable sourcing at UMass Amherst easier, more efficient, and more cost-effective. Monitor quality and cost controls for all local products. Monitor UMass Auxiliary’s spending on local and sustainable foods and beverages to support farmers and small businesses and accelerates growth in the New England food economy.
• Develop innovative procedures for finding, investigating and selecting new local farms and vendors to supply UMass Amherst. Support Sustainability Director in advising UMass Auxiliary’s Purchasing Manager and Residential Dining Director to ensure that new vendor products support campus commitments and goals. Research quantitative and qualitative measurements, defining industry standards and benchmarks.
• Coordinate pilot projects developed to strengthen the local food system and reduce food waste.
• Analyze and communicate data in a variety of ways to both monitor and promote progress of the sustainability initiatives for units of Auxiliary Enterprises, the campus community, and with local partners.
• Foster communication and collaboration between diverse stakeholders of regional farmers and community partners for UMass Auxiliary Enterprises. Make recommendations to the Sustainability Director to problem solve and promote mutually beneficial relationship with community partners thereby increasing the supply of locally produced foods and beverages and strengthen the food system more broadly.
• Uses existing tools to track and analyze food procurement data, provide detailed reports on measurable objectives, supporting UMass Dining’s local procurement initiative.
• Provides projections for dining services to support achieving departmental and campus goals related to local sourcing and sustainability.
• Research and analyze new tools and techniques to propose to Purchasing/FoodProMenu Management Manager for more efficient tracking of food purchasing data.
• Communicates with vendors, farmers, and local nonprofit organizations to source local foods affordably.
• Provide backup coverage for the Executive Director.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives
• Applies Title IX and other compliance standards.
• Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs and Campus Life.
• Operates motor vehicle to travel to work sites.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• At least 4 years experience working in an administrative capacity including project coordination and organizing information related to sustainability.
• Supervisory experience.
• Strong communication skills including writing and public speaking. Excellent interpersonal skills to include ability to resolve problems and create consensus among constituents.
• Experience coordinating projects with multiple partners.
• Experience working with data. Experience monitoring, tracking and evaluating objectives, milestones, and specific data points.
• Experience analyzing and reporting data to diverse audiences using methods such as infographics, presentations, reports, etc.
• General knowledge of food systems and the food service industry including knowledge about food access issues and interest in working on food system issues that benefit under-served populations and communities. Knowledge of sustainability best practices.
• Ability to work well under deadlines, to juggle multiple projects, and to present ideas in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently.
• Experience working with diverse teams of people.
• Must be computer literate, able to use Microsoft Office or equivalent software
• Capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Valid Class D Driver’s License
• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability field of study is strongly preferred

Work Schedule

Varies

Salary Information

Grade 15

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a resume and cover letter.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jun 14 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: