Sustainability Assistant

Position Information

Job Summary/Basic Function

The WSU Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC) team is excited to accept applications for a Sustainability Assistant. This position plays a key role in supporting the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator with organizing the annual Intermountain Sustainability Summit (ISS), as well as helping implement SPARC’s sustainability engagement programs. The ISS is a regional event that educates, connects, and inspires sustainability professionals, students, and emerging leaders throughout Utah and the Intermountain West. SPARC’s community programs aim to expand sustainability and conservation efforts—particularly within underserved populations—by offering accessible and inclusive engagement opportunities. The Sustainability Assistant will also assist in creating and delivering sustainability-focused educational materials and events for both students and the broader community. This is a part-time position averaging 25 hours per week and is supervised by the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator.

PRIMARY DUTIES (approximately 80%) Support the coordination and implementation of the Intermountain Sustainability Summit, including:

• Assist with large-scale event logistics and planning.
• Coordinate and manage event registration (oversee the registration platform to ensure it is ready for the event, organize and track attendee numbers and generate data reports, manually input registration as needed).
• Coordinate and manage event speakers and moderators.
• Assist with the coordination of exhibitors and volunteers as needed.
• Research and coordinate with food catering as needed.
• Assist with creating and updating ISS marketing materials (track and implement updates for webpages, prepping verbiage and formatting for newsletters, and brainstorming social media ideas).
• Lead the ISS Awards (develop the content and promotional materials for the awards, create and manage the submission google forms, coordinate with review committee to determine winners, and secure custom plaque awards for winners).

Assist with SPARC community programs, such as:

• Develop environmental educational materials for students and the public.
• Co-develop and host events (i.e., reserve event spaces, coordinate guest speakers, recruit and manage volunteers, etc.).
• Update the Sustainability websites as needed.

Assist with workforce development activities, including:

• Help to identify majors, minors and certificate programs that involve sustainability learning outcomes.
• Research SUS courses for relevant learning outcomes for workforce development opportunities.
• Schedule, and co-present to classes about workforce development internships or student job opportunities.
• Work with SPARC staff to connect students to workforce opportunities.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES & TRAINING (up to 20%)

• Support strategic planning for the 2025–2030 WSU Sustainability Plan and AASHE STARS goals.
• Contribute to advancing WSU’s strategic goal of helping the region strive for carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Assist with data collection and reporting for SPARC’s annual reports and AASHE STARS submissions.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest or academic background in Sustainability, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Social Science, Political Science, Public Policy, Energy, Education, or a closely related field – or – related experience in outreach and/or education.
• Familiarity with sustainability topics such as climate change, clean energy, or water conservation, etc.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency using Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and cloud-based file sharing tools, such as Box.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Sustainability, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Social Science, Political Science, Public Policy, Energy, Education, or a closely related field.
• Experience in managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of people and in collaborative environments.
• Proficiency in creating educational and outreach marketing materials (e.g., print, digital, web, social media, etc.).
• One or more years of experience in outreach/event planning, or program coordination.