Office of Sustainability & Innovation

The Office of Sustainability & Innovation (OSI), operates within the Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Property, Printing, & Transportation. OSI is charged with the oversight of sustainable policy, development, and implementation within the Department and by extension the Government enterprise.

 

 

 

The Office of Sustainability & Innovation (OSI), is a newly created subdivision of the Office of the Commissioner. OSI is charged with oversight of sustainable policy, development, and implementation in the Department and throughout the Government Enterprise. Change in Government is not easily accepted and “business as usual” has been the motto for far too long when new ideas or methods are introduced. However, in any organization, change is inevitable or we risk being left behind and unable to compete in today's world. The public sector must lead as it encourages sustainable development and employs best practices to ensure a better U.S. Virgin Islands that can withstand the test of time and climate changes.

Effective public governance is characterized as being: participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and adhering to the Rule of Law. Good governance is responsive to the present and future needs of the organization, exercises prudence in policy-setting and decision-making, and that the best interests of all stakeholders are taken into account.

GovernancePro.com

 

Dimensions of Sustainability

OSI's goals takes into account the needs of private and public stakeholders and is powered by the Four (4) Dimensions of Sustainability...

  • Effective Governance
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Economic Prosperity
  • Social Equity

 

The Office of Sustainability & Innovation provides a variety of complimentary consulting and technical services to the Executive Branch to include:

  • Sustainable Management & Innovation
  • Green Supply Chain Management
  • Green Project Management 360 Consulting & Assessments
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Continuous Process Improvement
  • EcoMetrics (Total Cost of Ownership, Lifecycle Assessments, Sustainable Return on Investment, etc.)
  • Energy/Water/Waste Management
  • Resource Management
  • Climate Change, Resiliency & Continuity of Government
Goals
  • Digital Government
  • Sustainable Procurement
  • Paper Waste Reduction Program
  • GVI Fleet Transformation
  • ENERGYSTAR Portfolio Manager
 

Green Project Management puts a green focus on the project management process to ensure that projects and programs adhere to best practices in sustainability and project management with the use of various sustainable frameworks and standards.

 
 

 

Green Supply Chain Management integrates eco-friendly aspects into conventional supply-chain management practices to include designing, sourcing, contracting, processes, transportation and logistics, and end-of-life product management, to become environmentally conducive.

 

 
 

 

A component on Green Supply Chain Management, sustainable procurement seeks to employ best of class products that incorporate recycled materials, sustainably manufactured and transported goods, environmentally preferred products, and energy-efficient appliances and technology.

 

 
 

 

Energy/Water/Waste Management program initiatives in Government are in the developmental phase and will seek to reduce our carbon footprint and power consumption levels.

 

 
 

 

The Clean Transportation Initiative promotes the use of renewable-powered and alternative-fueled vehicles in the Government fleet. A commitment to transition from  low MPG to hybrid or electric vehicles has been spurred by the recent Vehicle Moratorium.

 

 

The Office of Sustainability & Innovation has adopted a series of national and international professional methodologies, standards, and frameworks to guide its work these include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, GRI Global Compact, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Green Project Management Global, Project Management Institute, Institute of Management Consultants USA, the Association of Supply Chain Management, and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.

Jozette J. Cantois, CPM®, GPM-RCA, serves as Assistant Commissioner (St. Croix) at the Department of Property and Procurement within the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. A GVI employee for more than seven (7) years, she has held various senior management positions to include Executive Assistant to the Director (Energy Office), Deputy Director (Energy Office), and most recently as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff (Office of the Governor). Collectively, she holds more than 20 years of private and public sector experience in executive operations, event/project management, green business, and marketing communications.

AC Cantois is tasked with the strategic planning, development, and implementation of sustainability best practices and policies in Government and is a member of the DPP Core Operations Team. Additionally, AC Cantois has direct oversight of the Transportation, Property, and Sustainability Divisions. With her millennial mindset, she offers interdisciplinary proficiencies in administrative operations, policy/program development, sustainable management, green project management, supply chain functions, energy/water/waste management, and sustainable innovation. Additional skillsets include advanced acumen in procurement, contract administration, negotiation skills, data analysis, Lean Six Sigma, and continous process improvement.

AC Cantois holds a degree in Public Relations & Organizational Communications, as well as numerous professional certifications. She is a current student at the University of Wisconsin and Brandman University with concentrations in Sustainable Management and Supply Chain Management & Logistics respectively. Her professional designations include Certified Public Manager® (CPM), GPM360° Registered Consultant and Assessor (GPM-RCA), and Federal Acquisition Certified - Contracting Officer Representative (FAC-COR). AC Cantois is also a professional member of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®, the Institute of Management Consultants USA, the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, Green Project Management® Global, and the Association for Supply Chain Management. She is also the current Chair of the Board of Directors at Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism, Inc. a Virgin Islands stalwart for historic and environmental preservation.