Sustainability Coordinator

Waste & Materials Strategy 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive waste and materials sustainability strategy aligned with the university’s mission, values, and strategic plan. 

• Lead efforts to increase waste diversion rates and reduce landfill disposal through recycling, composting, reuse, and source reduction programs. 

• Support waste diversion activities for GWU sustainability events, including but not limited to Green Move Out and ReUse Market. 

• Support dining waste collection programs to reduce landfill disposal and improve waste diversion outcomes. 

• Support event composting programs, as requested by GWU, and collaborate with GWU on the expansion and scaling of composting services across all locations. 

Waste Program Management & Operations 

• Oversee daily and long-term operation of campus waste systems, including recycling, composting, surplus property, donation, and specialty recycling programs. 

• Manage vendor relationships and contracts with waste haulers, recycling processors, composting facilities, and reuse partners. 

• Partner with Dining Services, Housing & Residential Life, Events, and Procurement to reduce single-use materials and packaging. 

• Support zero-waste events and campus-wide material reduction initiatives. 

Compliance, Data & Reporting 

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal waste-related regulations, including solid and universal waste requirements. 

• Track waste generation, diversion rates, and program outcomes; maintain accurate data systems and dashboards. 

• Prepare reports for senior leadership, trustees, donors, and external frameworks such as AASHE STARS or sustainability disclosures aligned with private institutional benchmarks. 

Campus Engagement & Education 

• Design and deliver education and outreach programs for students, faculty, and staff focused on correct sorting, waste reduction, and responsible consumption. 

• Develop clear signage, standards, and communications to ensure consistency across academic, residential, and administrative spaces. 

• Collaborate with student organizations and academic departments to support experiential learning, internships, and research related to waste and materials. 

• Train staff on sustainable landscaping practices at onboarding and regularly thereafter. 

• Collaborate with GWU offices, academic programs, and student organizations on sustainability initiatives, including environmental justice efforts. 

• Support living lab projects, research, and applied sustainability initiatives. 

• Assist with installation of educational signage for sustainable landscape features. 

Planning & Cross‑Campus Collaboration 

• Serve as the university’s subject‑matter expert on waste management, circular economy practices, and sustainable materials. 

• Contribute to institutional policies related to procurement, events, move‑outs, renovations, and campus standards with a focus on waste prevention. 

• Represent the university in external sustainability networks, professional organizations, and peer collaborations. 

Green Cleaning Policy & Procurement 

• Support implementation of Green Cleaning Policy aligned with contract requirements. 

• Oversee procurement of cost-effective, high-quality cleaning products that meet GWU sustainability standards. 

• Provide the Office of Sustainability with regular reports on purchased cleaning materials to support product evaluation, pilots, and adoption of sustainable alternatives. 

• Maintain documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for green cleaning practices; provide upon request. 

• Track and maintain staff training records on green cleaning and environmental compliance; provide upon request. 

• Partner with GWU to establish baselines, KPIs, and continuous improvement strategies for green cleaning outcomes. 

Water & Irrigation Management 

• Optimize irrigation schedules, avoiding watering during/after rainfall, and reducing evaporation. 

• Monitor irrigation systems, identify deficiencies, and coordinate repairs with GWU stakeholders. 

• Identify opportunities for more efficient irrigation; support planning and implementation. 

Landscape Practices & Chemical Use 

• Maintain and annually update tree/plant inventory maps; submit updates to GWU and the Office of Sustainability. 

• Advise on minimizing chemical inputs; prioritize least-toxic, environmentally preferred herbicides and fertilizers. 

• Support utilization of organic treatment methods whenever practicable. 

• Maintain transparent chemical use records; provide to GWU upon request. 

• Clear debris from stormwater infrastructure to support drainage and compliance. 

• Compost green waste (leaves, grass, trimmings) and reuse organic materials (e.g., mulch, chipped wood) on site when feasible. 

• Limit plastic use in landscaping operations and support GWU’s single-use plastic reduction goals. 

• Maintain designated sustainable landscape sites (e.g., Sq80) according to design intent. 

• Research and support transition to electric or low-emission landscaping equipment where feasible. 

• Coordinate waste and litter collection across grounds in alignment with custodial services.