Director, NYS Pollution Prevention Institute

Job Summary

The Director leads and directs the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I), a statewide technology development, transfer and assistance center whose mission is to make New York State more environmentally sustainable for businesses, workers and the public through more efficient use of raw materials, energy and water and reductions in toxic chemical use, emissions to the environment and waste generation.  NYSP2I is an integrated program of several major elements: direct technical assistance to industry and organizations; research, development and diffusion; outreach and education; a community grants program; and support of New York State's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, climate action plan and other initiatives.  NYSP2I is lead by Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) and is a partnership among RIT, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University at Binghamton and Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership.  The primary source of funding for NYSP2I is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through the Environmental Protection Fund as a dedicated line item.  The Director will lead the Institute and manage a team or professionals at RIT.

This role will contribute to NYSP2I's success by delivering quality work in the following service areas:

• Engage New York State industry and organizations for the purpose of providing direct assistance in the areas of toxic chemical use reduction, process improvement and resource conservation;
• Research, develop and transfer pollution prevention (P2) technologies to NY companies;
• Assist NYS companies with introducing green technologies to the market;
• Help companies achieve sustainable supply chain goals, including sustainability, zero waste and management system planning;
• Develop P2 assessment tools and deliver P2 training to businesses, technical assistance providers and community organizations;
• Provide research and technical support to the MEPs; 
• Develop and implement P2 priority setting and performance tracking programs to maximize program effectiveness; and
• Provide grants to community projects that help to achieve pollution prevention

Job Responsibilities

Project/Program Leadership

• Lead and support development of strategies and plans for NYSP2I
• Provide and promote high standards of professionalism, integrity and leadership
• Supervise NYSP2I program managers in the planning and execution of the Institute's programs, including technical assistance, sustainable supply chain assistance, green technology acceleration, outreach and education, research and development, community grant and other programs
• Lead development and execution of new research programs with industry and government sponsors beyond NYS DEC in collaboration with the Associate Director and research staff
• Develop the Institute's annual work plan and oversee all workplan activities to ensure deliverables are met
• Engage Partner Universities to support the Institute's annual workplan
• Collaborate with MEPs in support of direct company assistance and sector outreach projects
• Work closely with the NYS DEC to ensure efficient delivery of programs and alignment with NYS priorities
• Create, review and provide guidance to reports and presentations
• Evaluate proposed projects to ensure alignment with NYSP2I priorities and goals
• Stay abreast of the State's environmental challenges and opportunities and explore solutions, potentially developing new programs and initiatives that lead to improved environmental outcomes for NYS
• Work with the GIS senior staff to develop and collaborate on projects with mutually aligned goals and promote multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving, leveraging the broader GIS resource pool

Stakeholder Outreach and Facilitation

• Establish and maintain relationships with NYSP2I partners, industry, government, non-government organizations and other important stakeholders
• Travel throughout New York State to promote the Institute, encourage environmental stewardship and engage with partners, stakeholders and thought leaders on a regular basis, out of state travel may be required on occasion
• Recruit members to and facilitate the meetings of a diverse, multi-interest Advisory Board
• Communicate NYSP2I priorities of the Institute's Technical Advisory Committee
• Work with NYS DEC and the Advisory Board to identify priorities, determine targeted industry sectors, and gain insight into emerging focus areas; oversee the analysis of targeted industry sectors and other focus areas

Financial Management

• Manage a current total annual budget of approximately $4 million; pursue additional funding sources and develop proposals to grow and ensure continuity of NYSP2I
• Effectively utilize program funding to optimize NYSP2I activities while remaining within budget
• Periodically review and plan NYSP2I finances with the GIS Finance Director
• Develop operational budgets for yearly funding

Communications and Marketing

• Oversee the Institute's marketing activities, providing direction on messaging and guidance to NYSP2I marketing staff in development of a comprehensive communications and marketing plan/approach
• Represent NYSP2I at regional, state-wide and national conferences, events, symposia, and meetings; introduce concepts, tools and skills for pollution prevention adoption and implementation
• Deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences that promote pollution prevention and NYSP2I services

Human Resources

• Lead NYSP2I team of approximately 15 full time and part time staff and grow the team with the Institute
• Assess resource needs, coordinate and hire staff resources
• Motivate, develop and sustain a cohesive, collaborative NYSP2I team, including performance goal setting and evaluation; mentor NYSP2I staff

Required Qualifications

The required minimum degree is a Master's Degree in a technical field of study (i.e. engineering, chemistry environmental studies, sustainability or related fields).  PhD strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering, science, green chemistry, environmental science or sustainability, in addition to project and business management principles, methods and techniques. 
• A minimum of 10 years related work experience is required
• Must have a minimum of five years of experience in a technical P2, green chemistry, environmental science or sustainability position, in addition to experience in a leadership role with supervisory responsibility
• Must have experience in the following areas: project/program management, technical assistance and training, P2 technologies/approaches, manufacturing and/or P2 assessments
• Experience in environmental regulatory compliance and management systems will also be considered
• Experience with proposal development and securing grant funding
• Experience working with state and/or federal funding and contracting processes preferred

Skills:

• Highly motivated and self directed
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge and ability to work with a variety of persons and organizations having diverse issues, concerns and agendas
• Knowledge and ability to coordinate meetings, deliver presentations and collaborate with stakeholders
• Knowledge and ability to lead; think creatively; proactively adapt to changing environment; act decisively and inspire and empower others
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and expertise in pollution prevention and sustainable consumption and production
• Project organization and management skills
• Effective verbal communication and public speaking skills
• Comfortable working with clients, sponsors, stakeholders and partners at all levels, including C-suite

PLEASE NOTE: The individual hired for this position will be required to have a pre-employment Motor Vehicle check, and the Motor Vehicle Report must clear RIT's Safe Driving Policy. (see Page 4)  

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD strongly preferred

Required Minimum Education Level:

• Masters-Other

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.