EASTON, Pa. — The third of the Lehigh Valley’s major cities is hiring a sustainability coordinator.
“We have several candidates, and hope to onboard someone in March,” Easton Public Works Secretary Dave Hopkins said.
City officials in December advertised for the new position after passing a $70.86 million budget for 2025 with no tax increases.
It marks the third of the region’s major cities to carve out a position dedicated to sustainability initiatives and fighting the worsening impacts of climate change.
The budgeted salary for the position is $52,000.
This position will coordinate efforts with the city’s [Environmental Advisory Council], manage the climate action plan and associated reporting, seek efficiencies in use of utilities for all city departments, help with the city’s MS4 program, manage public outreach and education around related issues, and create initiatives that lower costs through technology.Dave Hopkins, director of Easton's Public Works department
“This position will coordinate efforts with the city’s [Environmental Advisory Council], manage the climate action plan and associated reporting, seek efficiencies in use of utilities for all city departments, help with the city’s MS4 program, manage public outreach and education around related issues, and create initiatives that lower costs through technology,” Hopkins said.
An MS4 program is a permit program through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection that regulates stormwater runoff, ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act.
Valley’s sustainability managers
Allentown and Bethlehem already have carved out and filled positions dedicated to sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Allentown in March hired Veronika Vostinak as its first sustainability coordinator after a contentious 2024 budgeting process, coupled with campaigns from the city’s environmental advocates promoting the importance of the position.
Her position has since been renewed for another year. The 2025 budget shows a salary increase from $66,976 to $71,630.
Sarah DeGrendel in early December was hired as Bethlehem’s first sustainability manager. A 2023 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Crawford County, she studied environmental science and sustainability.
The city’s 2025 budget, passed in December with no tax increase, shows a $76,312 salary for DeGrendel’s position.
Climate change mitigation planning has been ongoing in the Lehigh Valley for several years, both at the regional and the municipal level.
Easton’s climate action plan, published in October 2021, includes goals such as a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, increasing to 80% by 2050.
Duties, responsibilities
A job description for the Easton position, posted online and now marked closed, shows a similar framework to listings in Allentown and Bethlehem — a focus on projects that promote sustainability, as well as capturing the grant funding to help pay for them.
Situated in the city’s Public Works department, the city’s sustainability coordinator “works collaboratively with administration, staff and the public to develop, coordinate and promote sustainability initiatives through the city,” according to the description.
The job listing references more than a dozen essential duties and responsibilities for the role. <br/>They include “promoting energy and water conservation, waste minimization, recycling, sustainable building and landscape design and alternative transportation procurement or green products, etc.”Easton sustainability coordinator job listing
“Responsibilities include educating the community about sustainability and coordinating city and neighborhood programming, activities and projects related to sustainability,"
Also, "promoting sustainability and energy conservation initiatives for resident[s] and businesses, supporting sustainability research and annual reporting.”
The listing references more than a dozen essential duties and responsibilities for the role.
They include “promoting energy and water conservation, waste minimization, recycling, sustainable building and landscape design and alternative transportation procurement or green products, etc.”
Also, compiling data to make sure the city is meeting the goals of its climate action plan, as well as identifying and applying for grant funding.
The coordinator also will be tasked with developing and maintaining a website or webpage about the city’s sustainability efforts as well as resources for residents.
Minimum qualifications include: a degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or other related science from a four-year college or university.
Also, two years related experience and skills, such as: excellent verbal and written communication, initiative and attention to detail, among others.
