Sustainability Coordinator, AAS

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Total Program Credits: 91-92

Estimated Program Length: Two years

Offered by Science  

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Requirements  

Program Coordinator Luis Maggiori, 541.463.5884

Dean Paul Ruscher

Purpose To prepare students for careers as sustainability professionals in resource management, corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, recycling, pollution prevention and energy, water or waste reduction analysis. Graduates may work for public agencies, school districts, colleges or universities, non-governmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, private businesses or corporations.

Learning Outcomes The student who successfully completes all Sustainability Coordinator requirements will:

• Demonstrate holistic understanding of interdisciplinary subjects related to sustainability including physical and biological sciences, social and behavioral sciences, economics, the regulatory environment, and business management.
• Develop policies that support the triple bottom line of sustain- ability: healthy economy, healthy environment, and healthy communities.
• Obtain information from public and research libraries, online sources, and regional, national, and international networks
• Demonstrate skills in data collection and analysis, statistical anal- ysis, and basic mathematics.
• Perform environmental audits, perform laboratory and field tests, conduct and coordinate research, and prepare written reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate understanding of the causes and the ecological, social, and economic costs of challenges to sustainability includ- ing pollution, climate change, loss of biodiversity, water quality and supply, and human health.
• Apply practical and technical strategies to objectives including pol- lution prevention, climate change reduction, energy conservation and use of alternative energy, efficient resource use, waste reduc- tion and recycling, LEED and other green building tools, water conservation, stormwater and wastewater management, indoor air quality, transportation, closed loop production and life cycle analysis.
• Articulate verbal and written understanding of laws and reg- ulations related to sustainable environment, business and community.
• Develop and implement action plans based on best practices; coordinate project management goals and tasks.
• Conduct public relations and social marketing efforts; develop edu- cational materials; and create community networks and resources to support sustainability practices in business and community.
• Demonstrate the ability to organize events, meetings, workshops, conferences and fundraising.
• Utilize collaborative team skills in the design and implementation of sustainable practices.

Admission Information For more information or to apply, go to https://www.lanecc.edu/science/sustainability-coordinator

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Co-op internship is a required and important part of the Sustainability Coordinator program. Through Co-op, students connect theory and practice, develop skills, expand career knowledge, and make contacts for the future. Work schedules and work sites vary. Please contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator.

Job Openings and Wages Projected through 2022

Career Pathways Roadmap

Sustainability Coordinator is an emerging occupation fro which State of Oregon historical data are not yet available. Market surveys of regional and statewide employers indicate job growth is expected to increase. Local, State, or Federal regulations with regard to climate change, resource conservation, and mandatory energy reporting will affect these trends.

Based on Oregon Employment Department wage data for related occupations including environmental science technician, environmental engineering technician, environmental engineering technician, life-physical-social science technician, and public relations specialist predicted average wages: Statewide Hourly - $20-$23, Lane County Hourly $15-$23. Predicted entry-level wages are $11-$16 hourly.

Estimated Program Cost

*Course fees may change during the year. See the online credit class schedule for fees assigned to courses.

Program Notes

• Prerequisites are required for some courses. See Courses  .
• If math is taken in the self-paced format through the Math Resource Center, then all credits must be completed to meet the math requirement.
• Please see the Program Coordinator for course exceptions if a required course is not offered during the current year.