Sustainability Coordinator

Job Description

The Energy and Sustainability Coordinator leads and implements the client’s energy management and sustainability initiatives. This role optimizes energy consumption, reduces environmental impacts, and ensures compliance with sustainability goals. The manager partners with all ABM on-site team members to meet stakeholder expectations and scope.

Compensation: $ 65,000 annual salary (US Dollars)

The pay listed is the salary range for this position. Any specific offer will vary based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, and alignment with market data. You may be eligible to participate in a Company incentive or bonus program

Benefits: ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package. For information about ABM’s benefits, visit

Benefits | Staff & Management

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate sustainability initiatives at GWU with a primary focus on waste reduction, recycling, composting, reuse, and sustainable materials management. Working within a private university governance structure, this role advances institutional sustainability goals while supporting operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and GWU’s public sustainability commitments.

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.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, or related field
• 3-5 years of proven experience in waste management, facility operations, sustainability, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors, contracts, and multi-departmental programs.
• Strong analytical skills for sustainability metrics
• Excellent communication skills to engage internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in sustainability (e.g., LEED Accredited Professional (AP), ISO 14001)
• Experience with AASHE STARS, zero-waste certifications, or sustainability reporting for private institutions.
• Familiarity with sustainable purchasing, reuse systems, and circular economy projects
• Knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and standards
  
  
  

Key Responsibilities

ABOUT US

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, our over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience.

ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, education, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together.

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