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Sustainability Officer Job Description

What does a Sustainability Officer do?

As a Sustainability Officer, your primary responsibility is to ensure that a company is operating sustainably and taking steps to reduce its environmental impact. Your day-to-day tasks may include conducting energy audits, developing strategies to reduce waste, promoting alternative transportation methods among employees, managing the company’s environmental reporting requirements, and liaising with external stakeholders such as regulators and suppliers. You will need to have a deep understanding of sustainability principles, as well as excellent communication and project management skills to effectively drive change within the organisation.

Our Sustainability Officer job description includes the Sustainability Officer responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Sustainability Officer Example


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If you need an example job description for a Sustainability Officer download the one below, alternatively we have many other Telecommunications job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Sustainability Officer do?

The Sustainability Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring sustainability initiatives within the organisation. The role will involve working with colleagues to ensure that the organisation meets its sustainability objectives and targets, and is committed to reducing its environmental impacts.

The Sustainability Officer will be responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive sustainability strategy, engaging with stakeholders, and providing advice and guidance on sustainability issues. They will also be required to monitor the organisation's progress towards its sustainability goals and provide regular progress reports.

The successful candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. They will have strong organisational skills and an eye for detail, and be able to work to tight deadlines. Knowledge of the principles of sustainability and experience of implementing sustainability initiatives is essential.

Sustainability Officer Role Purpose

The purpose of the role of a Sustainability Officer is to develop, implement and manage sustainability strategies, plans and initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of the organisation’s operations and promote environmental sustainability. The Sustainability Officer is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s environmental performance, monitoring the use of resources and assessing the impact of activities on the environment. They will also be responsible for driving the organisation’s sustainability agenda, developing and maintaining sustainable practices, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This role is essential in helping the organisation to reduce its environmental footprint and achieve its sustainability goals.

Sustainability Officer Role

The sustainability officer is responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s operations are conducted in a sustainable manner. This includes developing and implementing policies, procedures and programmes to protect the environment, conserve resources, and reduce negative impacts on the environment. The sustainability officer will also ensure that the organisation meets all applicable legal and ethical standards.

Sustainability Officer Duties

  • Lead the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives and programmes
  • Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to deliver sustainability objectives
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives
  • Provide advice and guidance on sustainability matters
  • Organise and facilitate sustainability forums and workshops
  • Prepare and present reports and recommendations
  • Keep up to date with developments in the field of sustainability

Sustainability Officer Requirements

  • A degree in a related field, such as environmental science, engineering, or business
  • Familiarity with sustainability initiatives, practices, and technologies
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Sustainability Officer Skills

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong understanding of environmental sustainability issues
  • Ability to analyse data and develop strategies
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships
  • Proven project management experience

Sustainability Officer Personal Traits

  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong organisational and project management skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of environmental legislation and sustainability principles

How to write a Sustainability Officer Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Sustainability Officer Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Sustainability Officer Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Sustainability Officer Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Sustainability Officer

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