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Housing Sustainability Student Coordinator

Application Open Now!

The Housing Sustainability Student Coordinator application is open!

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Position Summary

The Housing Sustainability Student Coordinator plays a key role in advancing sustainability, creating a sense of belonging, and promoting personal wellness within Western Washington University’s residential communities. Reporting to the Housing Sustainability Coordinator within University Residences Facilities, Student Coordinators design and lead educational outreach programs, coordinate and advance campus-wide engagement initiatives, and build partnerships that promote campus-wide sustainability practices for Social, Economic, and Ecological (SEE) justice.

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Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Housing Sustainability Coordinator, primary tasks include the following:

  • Develop a 9-month outreach and engagement plan with quarterly themes (Fall: Waste, Winter: Energy, Spring: Water) to help students practice sustainable habits and advance shared goals.
  • Create learning outcomes and objectives informed by Sustainable Action Plans and Program Standards.
  • Promote Housing Sustainability programs via website updates, social media, quarterly newsletters, zines, informational booths, community emails, and the Western Involvement Network.
  • Foster spaces for residents to engage in sustainable waste, water, and energy reduction practices.
  • Support expanding outreach for green move-in/move-out initiatives (the Residence Hall Reuse Program, Food and Recovery Drive, other) that promote equity, accessibility, and affordability.
  • Develop long-term partnerships with campus and community partners to co-host thematic events addressing the Social, Economic, and Ecological Justice concepts, increasing programmatic reach.
  • Support collaboration with key campus partners to inform outreach and educational material updates for waste management (sorting guides, signage, website, move-in communications).
  • Attend and present at conferences, coalition meetings, and residential community meetings to promote programs, seek engagement support, and expand community development opportunities.
  • Support advancing sustainability education on campus by supporting emerging initiatives, cataloging/promoting relevant campus/community partners, and sharing successes and best practices.
  • Providing leadership opportunities for residents through recruiting, training, and leading volunteer peers to support engagement initiatives.
  • Support growing and maintaining Housing Sustainability’s digital footprint by innovating educational campaigns.
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for operational cost-savings initiatives such as the Residence Hall Reuse Program and Go for The Green.
  • Support the development of analysis and assessment tools to assess program effectiveness and the change in culture of sustainability in the residence halls.
  • Collaborate with University Residences Facilities Assets Projects (URFAP) Central Office staff to identify learning outcomes and objectives for fostering a clean and safe living environment.
  • Attend recurring meetings with URFAP Central Office staff to inform and update Maintenance and Amenities outreach and educational materials for:
    • Fostering habits to maintain a clean and safe living environment
    • Expanding use and awareness of amenities and offerings (maintenance request system, laundry, communal kitchens and lounges, short- and long-term Resident Checkout Program, and other emerging offerings to enrich the residential experience).
  • Develop educational materials with UR Communications for incoming residents that provide awareness, stimulate interest in programming, and promote offerings.

Required Qualifications

  • Build and maintain relationships that support an inclusive and diverse community.
  • Ability to role model ethical decision-making that upholds the university’s values.
  • Serve as a problem solver, peer leader, and clear and effective communicator
  • Good work ethic (dependable, responsible, self-motivated, strong organizational skills).
  • Demonstrate effective collaboration in a team environment.
  • Experience providing customer service in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptable and flexible in response to frequent requests or changing needs.
  • Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to lift or carry up to 20 lbs. and sit or stand for long periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest and knowledge in Social, Economic, and Ecological (SEE) Justice.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Digital Design Platforms (Canva, Adobe, etc.) or the ability to acquire necessary skills quickly.
  • Experience with community engagement and program development.
  • Balancing multiple priorities at once while adhering to appropriate timelines and deadlines; maintaining up-to-date schedules and communications.
  • Adapting and quickly learning new technology.
  • Completing tasks independently, requiring high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Attributes

  • High familiarity with WWU departments/offices, resources, software/platforms, and buildings around campus.
  • Ability to grasp and apply new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Knowledge of state and local frontline communities, equity and social justice issues, and in particular, environment and climate justice.

Timeline & Materials

Deadline to apply: May 18, 2025

Interviews: Interviews are scheduled as materials are submitted, starting May 6, and no later than May 19

Estimated start date: May 26, 2025

Required materials: Resume, Cover Letter, and Sustainability Reflection (attach documents to the online application form)

1. One-page cover letter addressing the following prompts (no less than 300 words, no more than one-page single spaced):

  • How do your past experiences and personal strengths pair well with each of the required qualifications found on the Housing Sustainability Student Coordinator position website?
  • How do your past experiences and personal strengths make you an ideal candidate for the Housing Sustainability Student Coordinator position?

2. Resume (two pages maximum).

3. One-page Sustainability Reflection addressing the following prompts (this statement should be in a separate document from the cover letter and should not exceed 300 words):

  • State your personal values, understanding, and commitment to sustainability.
  • How do you plan to contribute to advancing Western's sustainability awareness, knowledge, and practices (protect local and global ecology, uphold social equity, create economic vitality, and maintain human health)?

For assistance creating your application materials, we recommend utilizing the WWU Career Center and SkillsFirst.

Eligibility & Conditions of Employment

Employment Eligibility:

  • Must be enrolled at least half time and must be a matriculated student, ie. Minimum six credit hours for undergraduate and post baccalaureate or minimum four credit hours for graduate.
    • Break period employment eligibility: Students must be a matriculated student (accepted for admission and degree or certificate seeking) during the prior quarter and plans to enroll as a matriculated student the following quarter.
  • Good standing in conduct and payment status.
  • Good standing in any current employment position at WWU (if applicable).

Conditions of Employment:

  • Probationary Period: Serve a 60 day probationary period to asses fit and ability to perform job duties while fulfilling all qualifications.
  • Evaluations: Participate in supervisor, peer, and self-evaluations to assess performance and qualification fulfillment. Receive regular evaluations from the Housing Sustainability Coordinator and actively address areas of improvement.
  • Year-Round Availability: Availability to work Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters, with availability in the Summer Intersession and intermittently during Winter and Spring breaks preferred.
  • Flexible Work Period: Provide evening, weekend, and holiday support as operational requirements dictate.
  • Recurring Training: Attend all mandatory initial and refresher training sessions.
  • Fulfill Qualifications: Conduct violations and/or performance evaluation may result in termination.
  • Additional requirements: Fulfill position requirements as described in this document, the position agreement, and as assigned while in the position.

Compensation & Employment Period

Pay Rate: Current WWU minimum wage.

Employment Period: Applicants should anticipate working two years preferred, from May 26, 2025, to June 15, 2027.

  • Availability to work Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters, with availability in the Summer Intersession and intermittently during Winter and Spring breaks preferred.
  • Average academic year weekly workload is ten (10) to nineteen (19) hours with an exception for break periods, which can be worked up to forty (40) hours. In addition, summer weekly workload is nineteen (19) to forty (40) hours, dependent upon academic coursework taken.
    • Hours worked will be reported in the Web4U system.
    • Staff members will need to submit a time off request to their designated supervisor five (5) business days in advance to ensure that adjustments to the schedule are made to minimize impact to operations (leave time is unpaid).
    • Typical hours worked are weekdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm.
  • On-campus housing accommodations are available for the summer at a discounted rate. Compensation does not include housing.

About Us

University Residences (UR) engages students in diverse, inclusive, healthy, safe and sustainable communities that foster academic success and personal growth. Through fifteen (15) residence halls and one (1) apartment community, UR provides on-campus housing for over 4,400 of Western’s 16,000 students. Nearly 200 students are employed by UR in part-time positions ranging from entry level to paraprofessional. Questions about this job posting can be directed to UR Facilities (EH 119), vaughad3@wwu.edu or 360-650-7322.

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action

Western Washington University does not discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity & Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, WWU, Old Main 345, MS 9021, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360-650-3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); CRTC@wwu.edu.

Questions?

For any questions about this position, please contact Dora Vaughn at vaughad3@wwu.edu.