Sustainability specialists promote responsible ways to manage resources like water and energy.

Sustainability specialists look at how businesses, schools, or other organizations use resources such as water and energy. They look for ways to save money for organizations by utilizing principles of sustainability. They develop organizational sustainability plans and help organizations meet the goals of their sustainability plan.

Sustainability specialists meet with managers, business leaders, and employees to learn about their concerns. They assess the organization's impact on the environment. For example, they may look at a factory's waste management system and how much material is recycled. They may also look at how a company educates the public about their sustainability practices.

A sustainability plan may contain one or more of the following goals:

• Reduce greenhouse emissions
• Increase recycling
• Reduce power usage
• Increase the use of public transportation by employees

To implement plans, sustainability specialists work with other managers to find out what equipment is required, how work can be done differently, and how to train employees. They help put together budgets and may write proposals to funding agencies or other investors.

They check the progress made towards the goals of the plan. They measure energy use, the rate of recycling, or increased use of public transportation. They keep records of progress and make adjustments when necessary.

Specialists communicate sustainability plans by writing reports and talking with employees and members of the public. They also work with leaders from different organizations to improve cooperation on sustainability goals.