STARS Content Specialist Job Description

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) seeks a Content Specialist to contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). STARS is a voluntary, self-reporting framework for gauging relative progress toward sustainability for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. More information about STARS is available at stars.aashe.org.

Duties

The STARS Content Specialist’s primary responsibility will be to lead the ongoing refinement of the STARS credits. This work will involve researching best practices and relevant standards, preparing draft versions of credits for public review, and coordinating Technical Advisors across many disciplines. In addition, the Content Specialist will work with IT and other staff to enhance the online Reporting Tool. In order to contribute to the continued improvement of STARS, the Content Specialist will:

• Develop an understanding of credit background
• Coordinate volunteer Technical Advisors
• Work with Technical Advisors to prepare credit revisions
• Present proposals to the STARS Steering Committee related to credit revisions and other system improvements
• Coordinate public comment periods, conference calls, public forums, and other events to gather feedback from the community
• Identify and develop support materials for STARS Participants
• Respond to questions and issues related to the STARS credits and standards
• Publish periodic updates to the STARS Technical Manual after Steering Committee approval
• Participate in other activities, as assigned, within AASHE and the STARS Program

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience and skill with large-scale writing and editing projects
• Evidence of recent use of and comfort with mathematics
• Evidence of strong organizational skills and the ability to synthesize complex projects
• Evidence of strong attention to detail in the workplace
• Evidence of a conscientious work ethic
• Evidence of strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with working in teams and facilitating groups
• Evidence of internet researching skills
• Evidence of self-motivation and ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Evidence of open-mindedness and willingness to consider feedback and new perspectives
• Evidence of a collaborative attitude
• Experience and comfort with testing and reviewing documents, web content or features, etc.
• Experience with a range of computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations
• Commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education
• Bachelor’s degree (graduate degree preferred)
• At least 3 years of related successful work experience
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in sustainability in a higher education setting,
• Background with development and/or use of rating systems,
• Familiarity with STARS

Location

AASHE has offices in Denver, CO, and Lexington, KY. The STARS Content Specialist may work remotely from a home office anywhere in the continental United States. Preference will be given to candidates located in the same community as other STARS staff members (the Boston to Philadelphia corridor) or AASHE offices in Lexington and Denver.

Hours and Compensation

This is a full-time exempt position. Starting salary is $40,000-–$44,000, depending on experience. Health insurance and other benefits are included.

Reporting

This position reports to the STARS Program Manager.

Application Instructions

Using our online application form, please submit:

• A cover letter that addresses the skills and qualifications noted above,
• Resume
• Completed AASHE employment application (doc), and
• Brief writing sample on a topic related to sustainability in higher education. The writing sample shall be about 3 pages (an excerpt of a longer piece is acceptable) and we prefer samples in which the applicant is the sole author.

If you don’t have one already, you will have to create an AASHE website account in order to use the online system.

Review of applications will begin on April 16, and will continue until the position is filled.

AASHE is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and to achieving an inclusive, diverse workplace that values every individual. Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. AASHE conducts pre-employment screening.

All applicants will receive consideration for positions without regard race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, citizenship status, gender, marital status, genetic information, U. S. veteran status, or any other protected classifications, activities, or conditions as required by federal, state and local laws.