Waste Reduction and Reuse Coordinator

About The Department: 

Macalester College is a small liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Macalester campus community consists of approximately 2,150 students and 700 faculty/staff. Macalester is known for valuing internationalism and multiculturalism, being academically rigorous and encouraging students to engage with hands-on learning both on campus and in the local community. 

The Macalester College Sustainability Office is the central coordinator of sustainability projects at Macalester College. The office's mission is to be a catalyst, convener, and champion of urban sustainability and environmental justice ideas and actions across and beyond campus. Sustainability Office projects involve environmental stewardship, curricular innovation and gift economies, climate change adaptation, and deep student engagement around environmental and social justice themes. The office employs one full time Sustainability Director, a part time coordinator, and a team of student employees. The office works closely with committed faculty, staff and students throughout campus to promote sustainability, resilience, and well being both on campus and in the local community.

Macalester College currently has a goal of achieving zero waste by meaning that we are working to prevent 90% of the waste produced on campus from entering a landfill or incinerator. The waste reduction and reuse coordinator will play a key goal in helping Macalester to achieve this goal. The waste reduction and reuse coordinator will lead and enhance the college’s zero waste efforts with a focus on expanding waste reduction and reuse systems across campus and promoting waste diversion. The position will be responsible for growing and managing the campus reuse center, developing and implementing educational programming around waste diversion and reduction, supporting food waste reduction and recovery initiatives, and overseeing initiatives that reduce dependence on single-use disposable items and containers. The ideal candidate will have a passion for sustainability, strong organizational skills, and a desire to actively engage with students, faculty, and staff. Responsibilities include: 

Expand Access to and Manage Campus Reuse Center

• Coordinate a team of student workers employed in the reuse center and oversee the daily operations of the campus reuse center, ensuring the space is organized and accessible to the campus community. 
• Work with departments, student organizations, and community partners to increase redistribution of reusable goods (e.g., furniture, electronics, dorm items). 
• Track and report on usage, inventory, and impact of the reuse center including maintaining records detailing the quantity of items moving through the reuse center, the number of individuals served, and avoided costs. This information will be used for annual reporting and formative evaluations. 
• Maintain regular reuse center open hours to ensure the space is accessible to the campus community. 
• Manage relationships with partner organizations and volunteers and encourage increased participation in the reuse center. 

Conduct Zero Waste Education and Outreach

• Design and implement educational initiatives, workshops, and campaigns focused on zero waste principles, waste reduction strategies, repair skills, and the environmental benefits of reusing materials. 
• Create and maintain communications, including social media and print materials, to raise awareness about the importance of waste diversion and reuse and promote campus-wide initiatives. 
• Participate in sustainability-related events and campus committees, helping to integrate zero waste into broader campus sustainability goals. 
• Engage with external organizations and sustainability networks to stay informed on best practices and emerging trends in zero waste.
• Educate stakeholders on and off campus about the economic, social and environmental impacts of waste reduction and reuse. 

Surplus Materials Management

•  Manage Macalester’s Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) to promote the reuse of office supplies and furniture and redistribute surplus materials such as furniture, office supplies, and electronics within the college community. 
• Identify opportunities to resell surplus items and materials. 
• Work with departments across campus to ensure that incoming and leaving faculty/staff maximize the reuse of goods on campus.

Promote Dining Sustainability

•  Lead the expansion and promotion of the reusable to-go container program across campus dining facilities. Collaborate with dining services to ensure the program is accessible, easy to use, and incentivized for students, faculty, and staff. Monitor and assess the success of reusable to-go container programs, using data to refine strategies and increase adoption rates. 
• Serve on a dining sustainability committee that works in collaboration with Bon Appetit. The team will strengthen communication between sustainability staff and dining staff on dining sustainability efforts, food recovery network chapter efforts, and additional food recovery efforts on campus.  

Data Collection and Reporting

• Collect, track, and analyze data related to campus waste streams, reuse rates, and the social, economic and environmental impact of programs. 
• Prepare regular reports to share with campus leadership, sustainability committees, and other stakeholders. 
• Provide recommendations for further improvements and expansion of zero waste programs based on data analysis.

Other Responsibilities assigned. 

• Participates as an active member of the team. 
• Participates in department and college activities and supports implementation of shared goals and initiatives.
• Provides backup support to other members of sustainability office team as needed 

Compensation:

The hourly wage for this position will be between $27.62 - $28.87. depending on experience.

Benefits:

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Generous Parental Leave. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including a generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

This position is represented by MAPE. 

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by August 28th, 2025. No applications will be received after this date.

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

Macalester is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from everyone who would add richness to our community, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals.  Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.