Sustainable Labs Specialist

The University of Virginia's Office for Sustainability is seeking a Sustainable Labs Specialist. The Sustainable Labs Specialist will expand the work being done to reduce the environmental impacts of UVA labs. This position reports directly to the Sustainable Labs Program Manager and will provide more dedicated and strategic support for some of the Program's higher-impact initiatives.

At UVA, labs contribute to a third of the university's energy use, despite accounting for only 10% of our square footage. To address the energy, water, and materials intensity of labs, in alignment with the UVA Sustainability Plan, UVA launched a Green Labs outreach and engagement program in 2015. Now, with UVA's recent commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and fossil fuel free by 2050, retro-commissioning our most resource-intensive buildings through the Smart Labs program, launched in 2019, will be critical for reaching these goals.

Today, the Sustainable Labs Program houses both the Smart and Green aspects of laboratory sustainability, offering the opportunity to bundle outreach and education initiatives with resource efficiency projects to capitalize on the many safety and sustainability opportunities found in labs.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead project communications for Sustainable Lab buildings, including issuing work notices to occupants, coordinating schedules, and minimizing disruption of research spaces.

• Carry out site visits to research labs across grounds, directly engaging with research scientists in and around their labs and lab buildings to coordinate Sustainable Labs work.

• Support the larger Sustainability Services team as needed for projects in laboratory research buildings, reporting directly to the Sustainable Labs Program Manager.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of supporting documents, databases, and reports for Sustainable Labs projects and buildings

• Support procurement and vendor relations for Sustainable Labs projects.

• Facilitate periodic meetings building project stakeholders and managers to report on project progress.

• Coordinate with the Green Labs Specialist to triangulate building-specific outreach and engagement strategies.

• Perform benchmarking, research, and collaborations within the UVA community and with other programs or institutions such as My Green Lab, the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, and more.

Required Skills:

Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in project management, change management, knowledge of sustainability issues, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience working in a professional setting managing several projects at once, working independently and as part of a team.

• Keen eye for lab safety, quality control, and attention to detail.

• Strong organizational skills to ensure all deliverables are high quality, submitted on time, and appropriately stored or historized.

• Excellent oral and written communication in daily interactions.

• Collaborative, innovative and solutions oriented, with a demonstrated enthusiasm for visiting laboratories and working directly with researchers, space managers, engineers, safety specialists, and more, to implement Smart Labs and Green Labs projects and initiatives.

Education & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree will be considered as experience. Preferred degrees in the fields of research science, health and safety, sustainability, project management, change management, construction management, or other relevant field.

• Required Experience: Minimum of 2 years required; successful incumbent will have 3 or more years' experience with project management in a professional/work setting leading and managing projects or programs.

• Preferred Experience:

  • Experience managing large-scale construction renovations and/or retrocomissioning.

  • Experience working in or around laboratories with an appreciation for and understanding of lab environments.

  • Experience in sustainability programs, outreach, consulting, communication, or training.

  • Experience developing and implementing sustainability strategies in large institutions.

Physical Demands: This position is primarily office-based but requires occasional travel to on-site locations, which may involve walking, climbing stairs, or navigating uneven terrain. The role may occasionally require lifting materials up to 20 pounds and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days on campus per week, with additional on-site presence as needed, in accordance with UVA's remote work guidelines.We support workplace flexibilitywhen appropriatebut 100% remote work is not possible.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $68,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To Apply:

Please apply online, and search for "R0077056." Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching "Find UVA Jobs." Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, at js9rk@virginia.edu.

About UVA and the Community

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The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.