Sustainability Coordinator

Location:

Integrated Services Center

Worker Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Day Shift (United States of America)

Pay Range:

The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.

$60,840.00 - $91,520.00

Position Highlights

You Belong at Avera

Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.

A Brief Overview
The Sustainability Coordinator serves as the system-wide lead organizer for Avera Health's sustainability strategy and initiatives. Reporting to the System Vice President of Supply Chain while representing the entire organization, this role coordinates sustainability efforts across all ministries, facilities, and service lines. The Sustainability Coordinator collaborates with site-based "Green Teams," tracks and reports organizational progress, and drives initiatives that reduce environmental impact while strengthening operational performance and community health. Rooted in Avera's Catholic identity and the legacy of the Presentation Sisters and Benedictine Sisters, this position advances stewardship of creation as an expression of faith and mission. The Sustainability Coordinator champions initiatives that extend beyond organizational boundaries—seeking measurable impact for the health of our communities and the planet.

What you will do

• Coordinate development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of Avera Health’s system-wide sustainability roadmap aligned with mission, operational priorities, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish, guide, and sustain multidisciplinary Green Teams at hospitals, clinics, and other facilities; provide tools, education, and structure to ensure engagement and measurable results.
• Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms to monitor key sustainability metrics (e.g., energy use, waste diversion, sustainable purchasing, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions) and provide regular reports to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Facilities, Construction, Environmental Services, Clinical Operations, Food & Nutrition, IT, and other departments to embed sustainable practices into daily operations and strategic initiatives.
• Work with Supply Chain leadership to promote environmentally preferable purchasing, waste reduction in packaging, and vendor engagement strategies that align with system sustainability goals.
• Monitor healthcare environmental regulations, reporting requirements, and best practices; ensure compliance and proactively position Avera as a leader in healthcare sustainability.
• Design and deliver education, communications, and awareness campaigns that connect sustainability initiatives to Avera’s mission, Catholic social teaching, and the stewardship tradition of the founding congregations.
• Lead or support projects that reduce environmental impact and operational costs, including energy conservation, waste reduction, recycling programs, reprocessing initiatives, and sustainable construction practices.
• Lead efforts to build internal enthusiasm and engagement around sustainability initiatives across Avera Health. Inspire caregivers, leaders, and departments to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors and embed stewardship into daily operations. Support Green Teams and system-wide education efforts that encourage culture change while positioning Avera as a visible role model for the communities and regions we serve.
• Contribute to capital planning, facility development, and grant or funding opportunities related to sustainability and environmental initiatives.

Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:

• Bachelor's in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Business, Supply Chain, Facilities Management, or related field and/or equivalent combination of 5 years experience and education in sustainability, environmental programs, healthcare operations, facilities management, supply chain, or related area.
• 4-6 years experience in sustainability, environmental programs, healthcare operations, facilities management, supply chain, or related area.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and produce executive-level reports.

Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing projects with measurable outcomes
• Experience in healthcare sustainability or hospital operations.
• Familiarity with ESG reporting frameworks, greenhouse gas accounting, or sustainability benchmarking tools.

Expectations and Standards

• Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
• Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
• Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
• Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.

Benefits You Need & Then Some

Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
• Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
• Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship

Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.