Graduate Assistantship - 0155-GA20 Sustainability/Facilities Ser

Graduate Assistantship - 0155-GA20 Sustainability/Facilities Services/Administration and Finance

Position Type: Graduate Assistantship

This form is used to collect application information for the Graduate Assistantship - 0155-GA20 Sustainability/Facilities Services/Administration and Finance position. Please review the position details and eligibility requirements below before submitting your application.

This assistantship is governed by Graduate School policies on assistantships, workload, and eligibility.

Position Code	0155-GAS20
Department / Unit	Sustainability/Facilities Services/Administration and Finance
Supervisor	Kate Spector
Supervisor Title	Chief Sustainability Officer
Supervisor Department	Sustainability
Supervisor Email	katherine.spector@oswego.edu
Term	Spring 2026
Expected Weekly Hours	20
Work Location	Office of Sustainability - 206 Service Building 20
Can this position be performed remotely?	No
Compensation	Tuition: $2,718 Stipend: $1,200
Application Deadline	February 1, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

To hold this assistantship, students must:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0.
• Be registered for at least 9 graduate credits during each term of the assistantship.
• Be enrolled as a full-time graduate student in good academic standing.

Additional eligibility or program-specific requirements may apply as outlined by the Graduate School and the appointing department.

Position Overview

The Sustainability Graduate Assistant assists the Office of Sustainability in advancing environmentally responsible practices, strengthening engagement, and promoting a culture of sustainability across SUNY Oswego. This position provides administrative, communication, and logistical support to sustainability initiatives that foster awareness and participation across campus.

Working closely with staff, student interns, and campus partners, the Graduate Assistant will assist in coordinating projects, developing educational content, and maintaining digital and outreach materials that highlight sustainability opportunities and accomplishments. Core responsibilities include coordinating logistics (room reservations, scheduling, calendar invites, office email, and phone), assisting with event preparation, and supporting sustainability marketing through social media and website content. 

The role may also support data collection and reporting for sustainability metrics, facilitate communication between campus departments and the Office of Sustainability, and help connect students with sustainability-related volunteer and learning opportunities. The Graduate Assistant plays an active role in promoting sustainability programs and contributes to building a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment. The Graduate Assistant will receive mentorship and regular feedback from the Chief Sustainability Officer.

This position is ideal for graduate students interested in sustainability, higher education, communication, design, management or environmental engagement who are eager to develop professional skills while contributing to SUNY Oswego’s strategic sustainability goals.

This position is primarily in-person. Occasional remote work may be approved by the supervisor when appropriate, but regular duties (events, meetings, outreach, student interactions) are expected to be completed on campus.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative & Operational Support
Provide administrative support, including scheduling meetings, sending calendar invitations, reserving rooms, and managing office email and phone communications.
Assist with preparation for events (materials, set-up, tabling, marketing, guest coordination).
Support general office communication to ensure smooth and timely operations.
Demonstrating physical capability or performing physical tasks.

Marketing, Outreach, & Digital Content
Assist with sustainability marketing efforts, including social media posting, photography, and website content updates.
Develop and maintain digital and physical outreach materials to promote sustainability programs and events.
Help design and distribute communications that highlight sustainability accomplishments and opportunities.

Academic & Program Support
Support the coordination of sustainability projects and initiatives.
Assist in connecting campus community members to sustainability-related volunteer, coursework, and co-curricular opportunities.
Gather information for sustainability reports and metrics as assigned.

Event Assistance & Campus Engagement
Assist with planning and implementing sustainability events throughout the semester.
Support staff and student interns at outreach tables, orientations, presentations, and campus events.
Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment during engagement activities.

Collaboration & Communication
Work closely with faculty, staff, student interns, and campus partners on shared sustainability goals.
Support the flow of communication among the Office of Sustainability, on-campus departments, and external partners.
Represent the office in a professional manner at campus events and meetings as appropriate.
List any Learning Outcomes related to the GAs Academic Program.
 
By the end of this assistantship, the Graduate Assistant will be able to:

Professional Skills
Demonstrate effective project coordination skills, including organizing schedules, meetings, and event logistics, including seeing through project ideation to completion.
Communicate professionally across email, digital platforms, and in-person engagements.
Apply basic project management strategies to office operations.

Marketing & Communication
Work with a team to create and publish marketing and outreach content for campus audiences using social media and website platforms.
Develop visual and written communications that align with campus branding and sustainability messaging.
Create visual and written content that highlights sustainability initiatives and campus engagement.

Collaboration & Leadership
Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, interns, and student volunteers to support shared goals.
Contribute to a positive, inclusive office culture.
Develop confidence in representing university programs at public events.

Sustainability Literacy & Engagement
Demonstrate understanding of SUNY Oswego’s sustainability initiatives, mission, and strategic goals.
Explain sustainability programs to students, faculty, staff, and visitors during outreach and orientation events.
Support data collection and reporting practices for sustainability efforts.

Career Development
Demonstrate how experience from this position strengthens professional competencies and supports future career goals.
Reflect on and document growth through completed projects, communications, and campus engagement activities.
Any restrictions to the type of student who would be eligible?
 
Students who are interested in sustainability, higher education, communication, design, management, or environmental engagement should apply.

Required Qualifications

• Strong interest in sustainability, environmental issues, higher education, communication, marketing, or related fields.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic campus environment.
• Availability to work 20 hours per week and occasional support of evening or weekend events as needed.
• Familiarity with basic technologies (email, scheduling tools, shared drives, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with web content creation for social media and digital communications.
• Experience coordinating events, meetings, or campus activities.
• Previous involvement in sustainability, environmental clubs, peer education, or community engagement.
• Previous experience tabling, presenting, or supporting events.
• Comfortable collaborating with a wide range of students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

Behavior Expectations:

• Maintain professional and respectful communication with supervisors, staff, students, and campus partners.
• Notify the supervisor as soon as possible when unable to attend a scheduled shift, ideally via email or text at least one hour before the start of the shift.
• Respond to messages from the supervisor within a reasonable timeframe (typically within one business day).
• Maintain confidentiality and follow university policies and procedures.
• Positively represent the Office of Sustainability at events, meetings, and public-facing activities.
• Uphold a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment.