Climate Action Project Assistant - temporary

Climate Action Project Assistant
FM division Office of Sustainability
Job code 8422SU
Job class title Pro 2 Sustainability
January-June 2026

Position Overview
Facilities Management is a department within University Services which is composed of the departments and people who deliver the non-academic operations across the University of Minnesota system. Facilities Management (FM) is responsible for all buildings, grounds and the energy management needs of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Facilities Management works to provide a safe, reliable and welcoming campus in support of the University's mission of teaching, research and outreach. FM's responsibilities include over 25 million square feet in more than 280 buildings across 1200 acres in the Twin Cities.

The Office of Sustainability is a part of Facilities Management but serves the whole University by collaborating with departments and units across campus to advance the environmental and social sustainability goals of the institution, including carbon neutrality and all other strategies and goals of the 2023 Climate Action Plan.

The purpose of this position is to take clear point on several strategies of the 2023 Climate Action Plan. There are some strategies that do not relate directly to any one particular role at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. This position will pull together key stakeholders, data, industry knowledge, etc to complete climate action strategies. This position acts as a project manager to gather all necessary information to make clear decisions and outcomes which lead to emissions reductions and climate adaptation. Many of the "champions" for these strategies are within Facilities Management and some are across the institution. This position is responsible for building and sustaining institution-wide collaboration that delivers climate action. This is a temporary position, lasting no more than 12 months.

The role will oversee 2-3 projects at a time, including, but not limited to EV Fleet implementation, Landcare climate resilience strategies, IT climate resilience tactics, USponsored travel strategies, etc. The role will also offer lighter support for ongoing climate action oversight of the Office of Sustainability (data gathering, editing, administration, etc). This role will have moderate oversight from other lead staff of the Office of Sustainability.

Position Responsibilities
Coordinate Climate Action Projects (70%)
* Serve as point person for Climate Action Plan projects, including coordination, communications, deliverables, and reporting to ensure alignment with the Climate Action Plan
* Analyze supportive data for Climate Action Plan strategies, including, but not limited to: emissions impact, total cost of ownership, spatial analysis, and cost
* Coordinate with campus stakeholders to facilitate Climate Action Plan Implementation Steps into action: identify barriers, shared challenges, and opportunities to develop solutions.
Data & Administrative Support for Climate Action (20%)
* Broad support for Climate Action Plan with data analysis, events, project brainstorming, etc
* Support all regular Climate Action Champion project meetings by scheduling sessions, recording minutes, and tracking follow-up items to ensure team accountability

Miscellaneous (10%)
* Attend all required trainings
* Participate in all Office of Sustainability Team Meetings and plans
* Mentor student work within the Office

Physical and environmental requirements
Work is hybrid with typical office arrangement.

Position Qualifications
Required (minimum) qualifications
* BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
* One year of project management experience
* Ability to collaborate and communicate with an interdisciplinary team
* Understanding of data gathering, cleaning, and visualization to inform decision-making
* Ability to evaluate data accuracy and make judgements on proxy information
* Ability to communicate effectively across disciplines in a timely manner and organize feedback from various perspectives
* Strong desire to learn and to apply findings to practical applications

Preferred qualifications
* Sustainability project implementation experience
* Knowledge of greenhouse gas reporting, green infrastructure, IT climate resilience, and carbon offsets
* Knowledge and application of systems thinking
* Committee participation

Pay Range: $29.93-$49.38, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).