Director of Sustainability, Grand Canyon South Rim

Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the nation's largest park concessions management company. Our operations span the country from the lush wilderness of Ohio's state parks to the magical desert of Death Valley.

Our desert oasis resort is located 120 miles NW of Las Vegas, NV and 275 miles NE of Los Angeles, CA. in Death Valley National Park.

Position Overview:

Xanterra is seeking a Sustainability Director to serve as the company's sustainability conscience, ambassador and spokesperson, working to make Xanterra's South Rim of the Grand Canyon operations the national leader in environmentally responsible business and tourism practices.

The basic function of this postion is to develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive multi-media sustainability strategies and programs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts' (Xanterra) South Rim of the Grand Canyon (Xanterra South Rim) lodging, retail, restaurant, transportation, and hospitality operations. 

This person will lead, influence, educate, and mold Xanterra's 1,300 2,000 employees at the South Rim into the most sustainably  aware and responsible organization in the hospitality industry. This agenda is supported at the highest levels in the company, a key ingredient for success.

The director will participate in designing the methodology for approaching and achieving this direction and drive its application. Few positions in any organization afford such tremendous influence over such unique areas of the world, as well as to the communities in which the company does business.

This is a rare opportunity to apply passion, technical knowledge, communication and people skills to facilitate cutting-edge business practices that benefit the local national park environment, as well as the planet.

This posiiton directly reports to South Rim General Manager and indirect reporting structure to the corporate Vice President of Sustainability. Please go to our website to get more information on the company and its environmental initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain sustainability strategies and programs for Xanterra South Rim consistent with the company's environmental management system (Ecologix) and ISO 14001 standards. Maintain certification of the EMS under ISO 14001 standards.
• Coordinate with property departments - such as engineering and purchasing - in implementing projects, setting standards, and monitoring results on sustainability goals.  
• Develop and implement appropriate training programs to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, company requirements, and general sustainability awareness. 
• Ensure legal compliance with local, NPS, state, and federal environmental statutes and regulations and minimize legal liabilities from potential hazards. This may include regulatory requirements with hazardous materials, hazardous waste (RCRA), universal waste, CFCs/halons, asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, pesticides, and fuel storage and delivery system management. This includes providing training to staff on changes in regulations affecting operations.
• Monitor environmental programs for effectiveness and develop projects for improvement, as needed.  Monitor regulatory developments and communicate changes affecting company operations to appropriate personnel.  
• Develop new environmental programs and procedures, as necessary.
• Serve as sustainability spokesperson for Xanterra's Grand Canyon National Park operations:  communicating with and educating guests and employees and working with the National Park Service and governmental agencies on resolving sustainability challenges and achieving goals. 
• Promote company stewardship with local, regional, and national sustainability groups through committee participation and award application/recognition.
• Research, test, and implement proactive sustainable technologies and procedures not only for South Rim operations but also to share with other applicable Xanterra operations. 
• Manage the company's Green Team, holding regularly scheduled meetings and establish goals and objectives for the committee.
• Measure impact of programs and prepare required reports for Xanterra and the National Park Service.  Communicate these results with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with National Park Service staff, state and federal government agencies, and outside stakeholders.
• Responsible for the selection and monitoring any environmental consultants and contractors needed to achieve company goals. 
• Responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the sustainability specialist.
• Prepare and administer the annual financial plan for the sustainability department.
• Act as property-wide Director on Duty, as assigned.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Other key responsibilities:

Work with the General Manager, operations departments, and the corporate Vice President of Sustainability to develop and implement programs in the following areas:

• Solid waste management.
• Energy and water efficiency of operational systems (including renewable energy).
• Pollution prevention and waste reduction.
• Sustainable design and construction practices (including the LEED rating system).
• Hazardous materials and waste management.
• Air emissions control.
• Sustainability communication and education.
• Comprehensive affirmative procurement strategies.
• Underground and aboveground storage tank (fuel dispensing and storage management) compliance.
• Sustainable food.
• Sustainable retail. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, engineering, or related field, plus minimum four years professional experience in all aspects of environmental management, preferably within the hospitality industry. Individual reputation, knowledge and experience in the environmental and sustainability sector will also be a key criterion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience in technical writing and public speaking. The Director must communicate effectively with both corporate and field employees to identify opportunities to minimize the environmental impacts of Xanterra's business practices. 
• He or she will be a thought leader with regard to sustainability issues and eco-tourism.
• Must possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including experience interacting with the media. This person must demonstrate a political sensibility and be keenly sensitive to various constituencies and the diplomacy appropriate for each.
• The Director must be savvy as to proper business practices and present programs that are practical and financially sound. The Director must genuinely enjoy people and be an effective team player, while also carefully introducing, promoting and driving change. He/She will face rejection from time to time, but must be resilient and continue to plant seeds while being creative in finding alternate routes to the desired outcomes. This will include engaging in healthy debate and losing some battles in order to win the war.
• The Director needs to have a personality and management style that inspires others, encourages employees to present their ideas and motivates a highly diverse group of people to understand what is expected and how to achieve/own those objectives. He/She must gain the respect of others by virtue of style, character, expertise and example, rather than through force or position.
• He or she must be highly-organized and have strong administrative and leadership skills, including experience with operating budgets and the related accountability.
• Experience in environmental report writing including EMS development, ISO 14001 certification, and environmental compliance auditing.
• Experience in developing environmental initiatives and implementing all phases of a company-wide sustainability program in a cooperative government agency setting.
• Familiarity with environmental laws and regulations as they relate to the hospitality industry, and an ability to keep abreast of this developing and complex field.
• Well-developed personal computer skills.
• Proven ability to build productive relationships by positively interacting with a diversity of coworkers and clients.
• Possess or be able to obtain a valid Arizona Driver's License and comply with Xanterra South Rim's Company Vehicle Policy.
• Compensation: Position includes standard benefits package with health plan, 401k, vacation, sick days, etc., but also includes a three-bedroom a house rent free, company vehicle and signing privileges for all restaurants.

To Apply:

Please click below "Apply Here!" to submit your resume and cover letter.