11-1011.03 - Chief Sustainability Officers

Updated 2016

Summary Report for:
11-1011.03 - Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

Sample of reported job titles: Corporate Sustainability Process Manager; Director of Sustainability; Director of Sustainability Programs; Director of Sustainable Design; Supply Chain Manager, Sustainability and Energy; Sustainability Coordinator; Sustainability Director; Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (VP CSR and Sustainability)

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.
Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
Research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests.
Develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives.
Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
Evaluate and approve proposals for sustainability projects, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and integration with other initiatives.
Develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.
Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.
Create and maintain sustainability program documents, such as schedules and budgets.
Direct sustainability program operations to ensure compliance with environmental or governmental regulations.
Identify educational, training, or other development opportunities for sustainability employees or volunteers.
Develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.
Review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.
Formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.
Identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the sustainability research agenda.
Conduct sustainability- or environment-related risk assessments.
Write project proposals, grant applications, or other documents to pursue funding for environmental initiatives.
Write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.

Find occupations related to multiple tasks

Technology Skills

Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software
Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software — Email software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics GP ; SAP
Internet browser software — Web browser software
Office suite software — Microsoft Office
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software — Microsoft Project
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software — Teleconferencing software
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

Tools Used

Desktop calculator — 10-key calculators
Desktop computers
Mobile phones — Smartphones
Notebook computers — Laptop computers
Personal computers
Photocopiers — Photocopying equipment
Portable data input terminals — Handheld computers
Scanners — Computer data input scanners
Special purpose telephones — Multi-line telephone systems
Videoconferencing systems — Video teleconferencing systems

Knowledge

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Work Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Detailed Work Activities

Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.
Implement organizational process or policy changes.
Identify environmental concerns.
Supervise workers performing environmentally sustainable activities.
Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.
Evaluate program effectiveness.
Develop marketing plans or strategies for environmental initiatives.
Analyze data to determine project feasibility.
Evaluate environmental or sustainability projects.
Manage outreach activities.
Manage control system activities in organizations.
Maintain operational records for green energy processes or other environmentally-sustainable activities.
Schedule activities or facility use.
Direct organizational operations, projects, or services.
Prepare operational progress or status reports.
Present sustainable products or services information to the public.
Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations.
Identify opportunities for green initiatives.
Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding.
Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities

Work Context

Electronic Mail — 96% responded “Every day.”
Telephone — 88% responded “Every day.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 80% responded “Every day.”
Duration of Typical Work Week — 77% responded “More than 40 hours.”
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 77% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 52% responded “Extremely important.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 54% responded “A lot of freedom.”
Contact With Others — 54% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Spend Time Sitting — 46% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 48% responded “A lot of freedom.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 50% responded “Very important.”
Letters and Memos — 60% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 56% responded “Important results.”
Deal With External Customers — 46% responded “Very important.”
Time Pressure — 54% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 44% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Level of Competition — 46% responded “Highly competitive.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 42% responded “Very important.”
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 44% responded “High responsibility.”

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education	Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related Experience	Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job Training	Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, surgeons, and veterinarians.
SVP Range	(8.0 and above)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
42	Bachelor's degree
31	Master's degree
19	Post-baccalaureate certificate

Credentials

Interests

Interest code: ECI

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages data collected from Chief Executives.
Employment data collected from Chief Executives.
Industry data collected from Chief Executives.

Median wages (2016)	$87.12 hourly, $181,210 annual
State wages

Employment (2014)	343,000 employees
Projected growth (2014-2024)	Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Projected job openings (2014-2024)	58,400
State trends

Top industries (2014)	Self-Employed

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 wage data and 2014-2024 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Top executives . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition.
International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) , 1429 Park Rd., Suite 114, Hartford, CT 6106. Phone: (860) 231-9197.