Crystal Jackson
Sustainability Professional
Decatur,GA
Summary
Dedicated sustainability professional offering 20 years of experience in helping people to think wholistically and employ environmentally-friendly practices. Gifted communicator with dynamic and creative personality, diplomatic nature and relationship-driven mentality.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Principal Planner, Sustainability
Atlanta Regional Commission
Atlanta, GA
04.2012 - Current
- Developed and managed Sustainable Connections Internship Program and Green Communities certification
- Provided policy guidance and technical assistance to communities
- Cultivated partnerships with/served as sustainability liaison to partner organizations
- Created and maintained sustainability vision for ARC's Natural Resources Group
- Shared region’s sustainability story via social media platforms
- Co-chaired ARC Green Team to raise sustainability awareness and workplace action
- Partnered on cross-departmental Climate Change group
- Coordinated Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) leadership program for high school students
Senior Program Specialist, Government Services
Atlanta Regional Commission
Atlanta, GA
06.2007 - 04.2012
- Provided technical assistance to communities in for management and operations, community planning education, and leadership development
- Planed and coordinated Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) and LINK programs to increase partnership around regional issues
- Established RLI Alumni Network for continued regional relationship building
- Designed Community Planning Academy curriculum
- Conducted Pay and Classification and High Performance Organization studies for jurisdictions
- Facilitated strategic planning retreats for elected officials
- Authored City of Kennesaw Redevelopment Incentives Study and City of Chamblee Green Building Ordinance Implementation Study
Blueprints Program Manager
Georgia Conservancy
Atlanta, GA
01.2001 - 06.2007
- Coordinated Blueprints for Successful Communities technical assistance program
- Facilitated Blueprints community design workshops
- Convened Blueprints stakeholders
- Negotiated consulting agreements for technical assistance and managed budget
- Planned Blueprints symposia and educational events
- Developed promotional materials and workshop reports
- Built and maintained working partnerships with quality growth related organizations
- Assisted development colleagues with grant writing and fundraising
- Served as advisor on organizational smart growth policies
Assistant Public Programs Manager
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Roswell, GA
02.1999 - 10.2000
- Created and taught nature-focused lessons, environmental education events and curriculum for ages 2 to 80+
- Managed dedicated team of part-time staff and volunteers to accomplish a wide array of public programs
Group Initiatives Course Facilitator/Trip Leader
UNC Charlotte, Venture
Charlotte, NC
09.1994 - 12.1998
- Led group initiative courses and wilderness trips for university students, faculty, collegiate organizations, and private businesses
- Provided transformative experiences for individuals and groups through judicious application of tailored challenges, support and reflection
Education
Master of City and Regional Planning - Environmental & Land Use Planning
Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Earth Sciences & Geography, Environmental Sciences
University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Skills
Project planning and development
Strategic planning
Project Management
Partnership development
Verbal and written communication
Facilitation
Coaching and mentoring
Experiential learning
Leadership development
Multitasking Abilities
Interpersonal Communication
Training and Development
Collaboration
Organization and Time Management
Critical Thinking
Flexible and Adaptable
Teamwork and Collaboration
MS Office
G-Suite
Lifelong learner
Affiliations
- Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL) – Class of 2017
- RCE Greater Atlanta – Founding Member and Steering Committee, 2017 – 2020, Current Member
- Atlanta Compost Council – Steering Committee Member, 2020 – Present
- Georgia Institute of Technology – Guest Lecturer, Sustainable Urban Development, 2019 - Present
Certification
LEED Green Associate
Clifton Strengths
Empathy
Learner
Achiever
Developer
Connectedness
Timeline
Principal Planner, Sustainability
Atlanta Regional Commission
04.2012 - Current
Senior Program Specialist, Government Services
Atlanta Regional Commission
06.2007 - 04.2012
Blueprints Program Manager
Georgia Conservancy
01.2001 - 06.2007
Assistant Public Programs Manager
Chattahoochee Nature Center
02.1999 - 10.2000
Group Initiatives Course Facilitator/Trip Leader
UNC Charlotte, Venture
09.1994 - 12.1998
Master of City and Regional Planning - Environmental & Land Use Planning
Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Earth Sciences & Geography, Environmental Sciences
University of North Carolina At Charlotte