When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!
Description
The City of Royal Oak is seeking a visionary and driven Sustainability Systems Manager to champion our community’s commitment to building a more sustainable future. This exciting, non-classified position in the City Manager’s Office offers a unique opportunity to lead transformative change, advance environmental stewardship, and shape the systems that will define the city’s climate legacy.
At the heart of this role is the implementation of the City’s 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S-CAP)—a bold roadmap to a greener, healthier Royal Oak. The successful candidate will guide the integration of sustainability into everyday government operations, working across departments and with community partners to bring our goals to life.
As the Sustainability Systems Manager, you will be at the center of major initiatives that will reduce emissions, eliminate waste, and enhance resilience, including:
- Partnering with Public Services to operationalize a fleet emissions reduction policy.
- Collaborating with our Facilities Manager to implement a greenhouse gas reduction strategy across City buildings.
- Supporting our Environmental Advisory Board in developing clear, actionable progress measures.
- Driving the City toward zero-waste practices, including designing a neighborhood-level residential composting program and developing a downtown waste management plan.
- Working alongside the IT and Finance Directors to digitize government processes and reduce paper use.
- Serving as a strategic connector across all departments to amplify sustainability efforts and environmental leadership.
Note: You will also be responsible for maximizing impact by aggressively pursuing external grants, building collaborative partnerships, and exploring innovative sponsorship opportunities.
Ongoing & Upcoming Project You’ll Lead
Your work will build upon several exciting, in-progress initiatives, including:
- A compost drop-off program at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.
- Oversight of the Battle of the Buildings competition in partnership with EGLE, which challenges local buildings to reduce energy use and share results.
- A solar installation project on the Royal Oak Public Library roof.
- A feasibility study for solar carports atop the City’s 11 Mile parking garage.
- A citywide standardization of EV charging stations in public parking areas and at the Senior Center.
- Strategic collaboration with DTE Energy on long-term grid planning.
- Participation in a comprehensive zoning ordinance revision that embeds the values and policies of our 2022 S-CAP plan.
We are looking for a values-driven leader who thrives at the intersection of collaboration, innovation, and impact. The ideal candidate will bring substantial strengths in relationship-building and execution, and possess:
- Adaptability: You’re a “now” person—present, flexible, and ready to embrace change with energy and optimism.
- Inclusiveness and influence: You believe sustainability is for everyone and know how to bring diverse voices to the table. You’re confident in your ability to guide progress, even when challenges arise.
- Discipline and achievement: You start with collaboration but always follow through. You’re results-oriented and persistent, ensuring projects move forward through obstacles.
- Outcome awareness: You understand performance metrics and value continuous improvement. You believe success should be measured and celebrated.
- Growth oriented: You push for personal and professional development, understanding that what got you here won't get you there.
This is more than a job—it’s your opportunity to build a lasting legacy of climate leadership in a community that’s ready to lead by example.