Sustainability Student Worker for Sodexo George Mason University

UNIT DESCRIPTION

Sustainability Student Worker 

 

Job Description: 

• Mason Dining is looking to hire a part-time position to build upon and implement our zero-waste and sustainability initiatives. The sustainability coordinator will report directly to the Marketing Coordinator. As a team, they will ensure the correct disposal of our food waste, create accessible information about sustainable consumption for students, and create original campaigns to promote a greener facility as seen fit. This part-time position is not a typical office position, but rather a hands-on position in the field which actively works with our kitchen management as well as George Mason University departments. 

 

Commitment: 

• 20-30 hours /week  
• Potential to transition from part to full time 

 

Qualifications: 

• Passionate about sustainability and waste reduction at Mason  
• Knowledge of composting and recycling on industrial scale 
• Experience with executing sustainability projects and campaigns  
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. 

• Must be able to collect, organize, and analyze basic data. 
• Strong communication and community building skills. 
• Must work well both independently and as a team. 

 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Oversee the implementation of sustainability initiatives and programs in dining halls and kitchens around campus, including but not limited to Leanpath. 
• Conduct research into a variety of sustainability, decarbonization, resilience, and equity topics (e.g., embodied carbon, alternative refrigerants, energy metering, technology, funding/financing/incentives, sustainability and/or resilience policy, and social equity). 
• Conduct food waste audits, analyze waste reports, and distribute findings to staff for improvement. 
• Create food sustainability campaigns that support Sodexo’s 2025 goals and educate students on sustainable food practices. 
• Keep track of our zero waste progress and research ways to minimiaze waste. 

• Improve communications from back-of-house waste program to students. 
• Collaborate on zero waste projects with other sustainability stakeholders on-campus, such as the Office of Sustainability, Mason Bee Keeper, green house, etc. 
• Contribute to program coordination and project deliverables including presentations and reports, managing sub-tasks to assist the team in tracking project deliverables and schedules. 

 

Expectations: 

• Keep the Sustainability Coordinator updated weekly on the progress of all assignments and programs. A weekly meeting will be planned to review progress. 
• Show up to shifts prepared and on time. Communicate with the Sustainability Coordinator as soon as possible about any shift conflicts, late arrivals, emergencies, or anything else that might prevent you from showing up on time for your shift.  
• Represent Sodexo and Campus Dining Services in a professional manner. 

Position Summary

The Student Worker may work in any type of food location on client premises. This individual will work under the direct supervision of on-site management and will serve in a food service role as mutually agreed upon with management.

 

General Responsibilities:

• Understands and follows all policies and procedures.
• Assists in ensuring a safe working environment throughout the facility for all employees.
• Attends all allergy and foodborne illness in-service training.
• Complies with all Sodexo HACCP policies and procedures.
• Reports all accidents and injuries in a timely manner.
• Complies with all company safety and risk management policies and procedures.
• Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Willingness to be open to learning and growing.
• Maturity of judgment and behavior.
• Maintains high standards for work areas and appearance.
• Maintains a positive attitude.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule helpful.
• Must comply with any dress code requirements.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends and some holidays.
• Attends work and shows up for scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity.

Experience/Knowledge:

• High School diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Skills/Aptitude:
• Presents self in a highly professional manner to others and understands that honesty and ethics are essential.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
• Ability to communicate with co-workers and other departments with professionalism and respect.
• Maintains a professional relationship with all coworkers, vendor representatives, supervisors, managers, customers, and client representatives.

License/Qualifications

• ServSafe Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
• Significant walking or other means of mobility.
• Ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 8 hours).
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds.

Working Conditions (may add additional conditions specific to defined work location):

• Generally in an indoor setting; however, may supervise outside activities and events.
• Varying schedule to include evenings, holidays, weekends and extended hours as business dictates.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily in a controlled, temperate environment; however, may be exposed to heat/cold during support of outside activities.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer.

Benefits Eligibility

Part Time Benefits: At Sodexo, we believe every employee should have the resources to be their best. As part of our overall rewards, we offer benefits like paid time off, financial and savings programs and access to our employee assistance program and other discounts (eligibility varies by unit and may not be available to all employees).