NEWARK -- There is a new "CSO" in town.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced Monday the addition of a new position to his administration - "Chief Sustainability Officer" - a person who will be responsible for working to make Newark a "healthier and greener" city, he said.

File photo of Mayor Ras Baraka. (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Baraka has hired Nathaly Agosto Filion, a former manager with Sustainable Jersey, as the administration's first CSO.

"Bringing on a Chief Sustainability Officer as part of my administration is an important milestone in a long history of Newark residents fighting for a cleaner, healthier environment," Baraka said in an announcement about the hire.

"All of Newark's children should grow up in an environment that nurtures them. This means getting dangerous toxins out of our neighborhoods, and making sure families have access to the same environmental assets that their suburban counterparts enjoy - parks, playgrounds, trees, healthy food, affordable energy bills, working water infrastructure, and green job opportunities."

The city has long dealt with numerous health and environmental issues, including air pollution and elevated asthma rates among city kids, the pollution of the Passaic River, and high levels of lead found in the school system's drinking water, caused by aging infrastructure, among other issues.

In the new role, Filion will partner with other local and government agencies to work toward a list of sustainability goals for the city. Those goals including the development of a green storm water infrastructure system, the creation of clean energy and efficiency plans, and the expansion of the city's support of community-led green initiatives, like urban farming and tree planting.

Filion started in the position this week, city officials confirmed. Her salary was not immediately available.

"I'm honored to be working alongside the interdepartmental sustainability team Mayor Baraka has convened to carry forward the work of making Newark a greener and cleaner city," Filion said in a statement.

"Newark is blessed with fiercely committed staff and community partners who have (already) accomplished a great deal."

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.