R

Sustainability Specialist

Research Compliance Office at the Texas A&M University System United States Added on Aug 1, 2026
Apply →

As a Sustainability Specialist, you will act as a pivotal link between administrative strategy and student action at Texas A&M University. You will take the lead on the STARS assessment framework, ensuring that campus data is accurately captured and reported to drive institutional improvement. Beyond data management, you will oversee the OSCE Student Intern Program, mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders while managing events like Earth Month and campus-wide outreach campaigns.

This role is essential because it bridges the gap between high-level sustainability planning and the daily habits of a massive university community. By managing the Sustainability Master Plan metrics, you directly influence how one of the largest academic institutions in the US reduces its footprint and educates thousands of future professionals. It is a rare opportunity to turn institutional data into tangible behavioral change.

This suits someone who is a collaborative communicator with a knack for data organization and a passion for mentoring students within a large, complex academic ecosystem.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves managing the STARS assessment lifecycle, which includes data collection, stakeholder coordination, and reporting to benchmark the university's environmental performance. You will be responsible for translating these metrics into actionable strategies for the Sustainability Master Plan. Additionally, you will lead the Student Intern Program, overseeing the hiring, training, and mentoring of undergraduate students. This involves ensuring they have the tools to conduct research and contribute to the university’s broader environmental and social goals. Communication is also central, as you will produce the Annual Sustainability Highlights Report and manage social media channels to foster a culture of sustainability across the diverse campus community.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the STARS framework (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), which is the gold standard for sustainability benchmarking in higher education. This technical knowledge is highly transferable to ESG reporting roles in other sectors. Mentorship and leadership skills will be a primary area of growth as you manage a revolving cohort of student interns. You will learn how to provide professional development to others while managing a budget for campus enrichment projects. Exposure to large-scale institutional governance is another benefit. Navigating the committees and advisory groups of a major university system provides a unique understanding of how to drive change within complex, bureaucratic organizations.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a degree in a field like Environmental Science or Business and demonstrates a high degree of organizational proficiency. While this is an entry-level to junior role, familiarity with Adobe, Canva, and social media management tools like Sprout is highly valued. Analytical skills are crucial, particularly the ability to use Excel for data visualization and reporting. A candidate who can bridge the gap between technical data analysis and creative storytelling will be the most successful in this multidisciplinary environment. Soft skills such as public speaking and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders—from faculty members to student activists—are essential for the outreach components of the position.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your cover letter on your ability to collaborate across departments. Since this role requires collecting data from many different campus units, providing examples of how you have successfully managed cross-functional projects will be very persuasive. If you have experience with behavioral change programs or student-led initiatives, highlight these specifically. The university is looking for someone who can not only track data but also inspire a community to act on it. Showcase your technical literacy. Mentioning specific experience with STARS or similar reporting frameworks (like GRI or CDP) even in a volunteer or academic capacity can set you apart from other junior applicants.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on institutional transparency and performance tracking. By managing the STARS submission, you are essentially documenting the university's progress in areas ranging from carbon emissions to social equity in campus operations. There is also a significant focus on social sustainability through the empowerment of the student body. By facilitating the intern program, the role ensures that sustainability is integrated into the educational mission of the university, not just its facilities management. Waste reduction and campus engagement are likely to be major themes during Earth Month and other outreach events, where the goal is to shift campus culture toward more circular and conscious consumption habits.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is data acquisition. You will need to influence stakeholders across the university who may not prioritize sustainability reporting, requiring persistence and strong interpersonal diplomacy. Balancing technical reporting with creative outreach can also be difficult. The role requires a person who is comfortable switching between rigorous Excel spreadsheets and high-energy public speaking or social media content creation. Managing the expectations and workflows of student interns can be unpredictable. You will need to be adaptable to academic schedules and varying levels of professional experience while keeping projects on track for administrative deadlines.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical morning might involve meeting with a cross-functional STARS team to review progress on energy or waste metrics, followed by a session mentoring student interns on their latest research projects. Afternoons could be spent designing content for Campus Sustainability Month or drafting sections of the Annual Highlights Report. You might also prepare agendas for the University Sustainability Advisory Committee to ensure leadership is aligned on upcoming goals. The day often ends with stakeholder engagement, which could involve responding to inquiries from campus groups or coordinating with facilities staff to monitor the progress of Sustainability Master Plan initiatives.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role serves as a strong foundation for a career in ESG reporting or campus administration. Successful performance can lead to more senior specialist roles or management positions within the Office of Sustainability. You will build a professional network across the entire Texas A&M System, opening doors to sustainability roles within various state agencies or academic departments. The experience gained in institutional reporting is a high-value skill set in the current job market. Participation in high-level committees like the Sustainability & Environmental Management Committee provides visibility to university leadership, which can lead to involvement in larger strategic planning and policy-making projects.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with university students, specifically the interns you manage and the broader student body during outreach events and educational talks. Internal administrative stakeholders include members of the USAC and SEMC committees, who provide the oversight and authority needed to implement large-scale sustainability changes across the campus. External stakeholders may include sustainability professionals at other higher education institutions and representatives from AASHE (the organization behind STARS), as you benchmark Texas A&M's performance against global peers.

CSR Jobs newsletter

Never miss the next opportunity

Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.