Sustainability Engagement Associate

Job Description Summary

The Sustainability Engagement Associate supports the development and execution of campus-wide sustainability engagement and outreach initiatives for The George Washington University’s Office of Sustainability. This role is responsible for increasing visibility, awareness, participation, and institutional understanding of sustainability initiatives across the campus community.

The position plays a critical role in educating students, faculty, and staff about the university’s sustainability goals, operational initiatives, student programs, climate commitments, and institutional progress. Responsibilities include supporting engagement programs (e.g., Green Office Network), coordinating annual and quarterly reporting, developing content for various university channels, and promoting sustainability programs and events across campus.

This role will collaborate closely with sustainability staff, student employees, operational partners, and university communications teams to strengthen sustainability culture, encourage behavior change, increase engagement, and support GW’s long-term sustainability and climate goals.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainability Engagement & Outreach

• Support engagement programs including Earth Month, sustainability orientations, tabling events, workshops, campaigns, presentations, Green Office Network initiatives, Eco-Reps, and additional campus outreach activities.
• Coordinate promotional efforts to increase participation in sustainability programs and events.
• Support outreach to students, faculty, staff, and campus partners regarding sustainability initiatives and opportunities for involvement.
• Assist with event planning, logistics, materials preparation, and on-site coordination for sustainability programs and engagement activities.
• Create and manage sustainability-related content for social media, newsletters, websites, presentations, signage, and promotional materials.
• Track and analyze communications and engagement metrics to improve outreach effectiveness and audience engagement.

Student Staff & Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate and support student employees, interns, and volunteers assisting with communications, outreach, and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with university communications teams, operational departments, student organizations, and external partners to support sustainability messaging and campaigns.
• Serve as a point of contact for sustainability communications and engagement coordination.

Reporting & Publications

• Coordinate development of annual sustainability reports and quarterly sustainability updates.
• Assist with collecting, organizing, and presenting sustainability metrics, accomplishments, and program highlights for institutional reporting.
• Support preparation of executive summaries, presentations, briefing materials, and communication assets for university leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with operational and program teams to translate technical sustainability work into accessible communications materials.
• Develop storytelling content that highlights sustainability projects, student involvement, operational achievements, partnerships, and campus impact.

Administrative & Program Support

• Maintain organized materials, templates, contact lists, schedules, and outreach records.
• Assist with purchasing and coordination of materials, signage, and engagement supplies.
• Review and approve timecards and work schedules for student employees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental studies, community engagement, communications, marketing, journalism, public policy, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 2+ years of experience in sustainability or environmental engagement, communications, program coordination, or related fields is highly desired.
• Demonstrated organizational and project coordination skills are a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience creating content for social media, websites, newsletters, or marketing materials is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Reliable, proactive, responsive, and detail-oriented.
• Familiarity with sustainability concepts, climate initiatives, or campus sustainability programs is desired.
• Familiarity with behavior change concepts and methodologies is preferred.
• Experience working in higher education, sustainability, or nonprofit sectors is a plus.
• Experience supporting annual reports and institutional storytelling is preferred.
• Experience coordinating student staff, interns, or volunteers is a plus.
• Knowledge of graphic design, photography, video editing, or digital communications tools is desired.
• Experience managing websites and social media analytics is preferred.

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Passion for sustainability and community engagement.
• Creative thinker with strong visual and written storytelling abilities.
• Ability to translate technical or operational sustainability work into engaging and accessible programs and content is a plus.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a highly collaborative team environment.

Hiring Range
$61,400.35 – $79,820.46

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Division of Safety and Operation

Family: Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family: Sustainability

Stream: Individual Contributor

Level: Level 2

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Will this job require the employee to work on site?
Yes

Employee Onsite Status
Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check
Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S014279

Job Open Date: 07/07/2026

Background Screening
Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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