SUSTAINABILITY TECHNICIAN – Academic Hourly
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. PRI houses 5 large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.
Our Mission is to encourage and assist citizens, businesses, and government agencies to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, and reduce waste to protect human health and the environment of Illinois and beyond.
ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse.
Position Location: This is a remote position with some travel required, however candidates must be located within Illinois or the St. Louis metro region. The ideal candidate will be located in the Chicagoland or Champaign-Urbana area.
Position Hours: This position is estimated to work 20-30 hours per week, dependent on project and funding availability.
Position description: This position will be part of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) at ISTC. This position will primarily support others who work with companies and organizations to evaluate and identify opportunities to improve their sustainability, and to support and document their actual implementation of sustainability activities associated with materials, processes, water and wastewater, energy utilization, waste minimization and recycling.
Duties & Responsibilities: This position will work on pollution prevention and energy efficiency (P2E2) assistance with ISTC clients, including industrial and manufacturing businesses. Activities include assisting during site visits as well as conducting primary data analysis. This position will work with ISTC clients to promote their successful sustainable efforts by developing case studies, fact sheets, reports, and other material to communicate and highlight sustainability efforts and practices. Some travel required.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required in environmental sciences, sustainability, engineering, or related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered based upon the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
Experience: Required: One year experience in a professional work setting. Internships may be considered as experience. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team; interest in learning about Illinois businesses and industries; excellent computer and data management skills; attention to detail. Must possess a valid driver’s license and access to transportation. Preferred: One year of experience in manufacturing, engineering, environmental or other related field. Knowledge of current sustainability issues within private sector industrial and manufacturing field such as energy efficiency, water consumption, waste reduction, and recycling; and environmental/compliance experience. Public speaking skills. Experience with sustainability planning, reporting, and energy management.
Position Start Date: As soon as possible
Prospective candidates may email the following materials to Deb Jacobson (djacobso@illinois.edu) with the subject line “Sustainability Technician”: brief cover letter, resume, names and contact information for three references. Application review will commence immediately and continue until positions are filled.
Compensation: This is an hourly position dependent upon funding availability. Hourly compensation will be commensurate with experience and education.
