University of California, Irvine
EN-9: Staff Professional Development and Training

OVERVIEW

UCI offers sustainability professional development and training opportunities to all staff throughout the year. These professional development opportunities are in alignment with UCI’s 2016 Strategic Plan goal to implement an ethos of sustainability for all campus staff (https://strategicplan.uci.edu/).

SUSTAINABILITY FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING FOR UCI STAFF

In 2021, UCI transitioned the Sustainability Fundamentals Training for Staff from being an in-person, occasional opportunity to an online, permanent opportunity. Developed by staff in the Office of Campus Physical and Environmental Planning, the online format allows staff to have greater accessibility to the training regardless of their work setting – on campus, remotely, or hybrid. The training provides an overview of simple sustainable actions that can easily be integrated into the workplace.

The seven sustainability themes covered include 1) Build Community, 2) Conserve Water, 3) Enhance Workplace Wellbeing, 4) Purchase Sustainably, 5) Reduce Waste, 6) Save Energy, and 7) Sustainable Transportation. Each theme has its own unique, downloadable infographic, containing sustainable actions and resources applicable to all work settings. Additional topics covered include defining sustainability, gaining insight into UC systemwide sustainability goals, and learning about UCI’s progress towards achieving those goals.

This training includes the Sustainability Fundamentals presentation followed by a certification quiz. Upon successful completion, UCI staff are certified as official Sustainability Ambassadors, demonstrating their gained knowledge in sustainability and a commitment to helping to strengthen the culture of campus sustainability.

Learn more about the Sustainability Fundamentals Training for UCI Staff here: https://sustainability.uci.edu/education/staff-professional-development-and-training/

ADDITIONAL SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES OF HIGHLIGHT

EMBODYING RESILIENCE WORKSHOPS

In the fall of 2019, Embodying Resilience was a workshop held in collaboration by the UCI Community Resilience Projects and the Africana Institute of Creativity, Recognition, and Elevation for campus staff, faculty, and students. The four-week training focused on movement that inspires the mind; to sharpen the skills and sensibilities necessary to build and sustain a creative responsive and resilient community. The workshop series educated participants on the practices of personal resilience and the important roles it plays in informing and building community resilience.

Learn more here: https://communityresilience.uci.edu/er/

WORKPLACE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) TRAINING

In partnership with UCI Division of Continuing Education, the Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) launched a pilot Workplace English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Staff members from Facilities Management attended class once a week from March through June 2021, completing beginner levels A & B. The purpose of the program is to provide foundational English language skills to participants, upholding DFA’s ongoing commitment to learning and growth. Throughout the summer, participants will engage in independent study activities such as journaling, ESL workbook exercises, and peer-to-peer practice sessions with the goal of finishing beginner levels C & D by the end of the calendar year.

Throughout the year and in alignment with their job responsibilities, UCI staff attend several external conferences, workshops, and accreditation trainings pertaining to sustainability. UCI staff receive financial support through payment and reimbursement, and consider these opportunities to be professional development training.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

-- The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education: Exchange effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. (http://www.aashe.org/conference/)

-- Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit: Explore emerging technologies and share innovative strategies in energy and water efficiency. (https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/summit)

-- California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC): Focuses on the sharing of best practices and lessons learned from the people on the front lines of implementing sustainability efforts in California higher education. (https://chesc.org)

-- Climate Leadership Conference: Explores energy and climate solutions and opportunities. (https://www.climateleadershipconference.org/)

-- California Association of Environmental Professionals Conference: Session tracks on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. (https://www.califaep.org/2020_aep_virtual_conference.php)

-- UC Sustainability Officers Retreat & Priority Setting Workshop: UC systemwide retreat and priority setting and training on campus sustainability.

-- LEED Accreditation: The University of California provides campuses with a Silver level membership in USGBC. Through this all campus faculty, staff, and students can access a wide array of resources and are able to participate in LEED and other Green Building training. (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/cmp-guide)

Consistent with UCI Human Resources policy, all staff are required to plan, document and review progress towards their work goals using ACHIEVEonline, UCI’s online performance management system. These goals are selected by the employee as a 1 ) Performance goal or 2) Professional Development Goal. Staff members throughout campus may include sustainability performance goals and/or professional development goals. These goals may be sustainability-focused or sustainability-related depending upon the project, initiative, program, or policy.

ACHIEVEonline: https://hr.uci.edu/partnership/achieveonline/ (*UCI Log-in required)

Note: UCI sustainability staff are currently exploring opportunities to make the Sustainability Fundamentals Training for UCI Staff available through the University of California Learning Center, the main hub for professional development trainings. (https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/working-at-uc/your-career/talent-management/uc-learning-center.html)