Solar Oak Park?

From atop the Avenue parking garage, K.C. Poulos takes in a panoramic view of Oak Park and sees lots of opportunities for solar panels.

"That phrase -- think globally, act locally. That's borne out on the municipal level," she said.

Poulos is chatting with Village Manager Tom Barwin and a representative from the lllinois Science and Technology Coalition while the trio waits on the parking garage's deck for the arrival of a small delegation of Korean businessmen from the energy industry.

The group is in town on a follow-up visit after their late July trip to Oak Park, ostensibly to revisit Oak Park's energy efficiency policies.

It's really hot and the Korean officials are very late, but Poulos doesn't seem to sweat it.

Since being named the village's sustainability manager in August 2009, Puolos considers meeting foreign officials, pondering ways to conserve energy and giving tours of the town all in a day's work. But she's mostly concerned with finding ways to make Oak Park a leader in energy efficiency improvements and a pioneer in the exploration of alternative energy sources.

"It's the municipalities that are hearing this from their residents and local governments are more flexible than state and federal governments," Puolos added. "So, the municipality is becoming a leader in environmental movements. We take that seriously."

She had better.

Her position is funded partly by a federal energy grant and through Oak Park's solid waste and sewer funds.

Village officials haven't put an expiration date on the roughly $73,000-a-year position. But they say the more energy and cost savings Poulos can find for Oak Park taxpayers, the better her chances are of staying on the payroll.

"If she helps the village realize additional savings, she'll essentially be self-funded," said village spokesman David Powers.

Don't miss: Patch recently caught up with Poulos to discuss sustainability. Check out the question-and-answer session.