Julie Rosenbach will take up the reins and become South Portland’s first ever full-time sustainability coordinator next week. The position was approved by the City Council as part of the city’s new Climate Action Plan.

According to City Manager Jim Gailey, Rosenbach will begin her duties on Monday, March 9. Her salary is $57,837. In a press release Gailey said Rosenbach was one of 135 people who applied for the job.

“Julie comes to the city with a vast knowledge in sustainability most recently serving as the manager of sustainability initiatives (at Bates College). Prior to Bates, Julie worked for the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., as an environmental protection specialists,” Gailey said.

In addition, Rosenbach has presented at numerous conferences around the country on various sustainability topics. She has also authored two papers, “Greening Electronics Product Design: A Summary of Initiatives and Influences” and a “Guidance Document on the Environmentally Sound Management of Used and End-of-Life Mobile Phones.”

Rosenbach has a master’s degree from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a bachelor’s from the University of New Hampshire where she concentrated on environmental conservation. She is also a senior fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program and co-organizer of the Green Campus Consortium of Maine.

Overall, Gailey said, “Julie possesses the right skills, knowledge and work ethic that we need here in South Portland. The college/university systems are far ahead of most in the world of implementing sustainability practices. (This) opportunity to bring (her on board) will only strengthen the (city’s) goals in becoming a leader in sustainable practices in the state of Maine.”

Rosenbach is originally from Connecticut and has lived overseas, as well as on the West Coast, but said that she’s a New Englander at heart. She first moved to Maine in 2006 after leaving her position in D.C.

She lives in South Portland, in the Meetinghouse Hill neighborhood, with her wife, two daughters, two dogs and a cat. During her time working at Bates, Rosenbach said she considered moving to Lewiston, but was loath to leave South Portland because “we love our neighborhood and the community.”

This week Rosenbach spoke with the Current about her new position with the city.

Q: Why were you attracted to the sustainability coordinator position in South Portland?

A: I’ve been working on sustainability issues for 15 years and was delighted at the prospect of being able to continue this work in my home community.

What I am most looking forward to is being part of a great team and working for a great community, as well as walking to work every day.

I’m excited to join an amazing team of people dedicated to making South Portland a great city. I look forward to building on notable accomplishments and helping our community grow more sustainable and resilient.

Q: What do you see as your top priorities?

A: Certainly developing partnerships and initiatives that help move the Climate Action Plan forward. There is a lot that’s already been accomplished and I look forward to building on that work.

Q: Why is it important for municipalities to focus on sustainability issues?

A: Because sustainability is not just environmental conservation. It is also the pursuit of environmentally sound practices that are financially viable and socially beneficial to our community. This is important because it will help South Portland continue to be a thriving, livable and resilient city.

Q: What are you most proud of during your time at Bates?

A: I had a number of accomplishments including development of the college’s first five-year sustainability plan and climate action plan, spearheading campus renewable energy initiatives, such as producing solar photovoltaic and thermal energy and increasing campus recycling from 23 percent to 40 percent, developing a green certification program for faculty and students and lecturing in the environmental studies program.

Julie Rosenbach is the new sustainability coordinator for the city of South Portland. She will be on the job starting March 9.Courtesy photo