Specialist, State & Local Policy | USGBC

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To 85,000.00 Annually

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a global, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., working to improve environmental sustainability, human health, and resilience in the built environment through its programs and rating systems including LEED. Today, people in over 150 countries and territories live, work, and learn in LEED certified buildings, communities, and cities that protect health, climate, and natural resources, and enhance quality of life.

The State & Local Policy Specialist will serve as a critical member of USGBC’s Advocacy & Policy team, engaged in core policy functions and executing critical green building advocacy and policy projects. The Specialist will participate in department-wide activities and selected research projects. These responsibilities involve engagement with internal and external stakeholders, project execution, state and local policy research and analysis, writing of a range of advocacy materials and managing information on state and local policies. 

 The Specialist will work closely with other members of the Advocacy and Policy team on collaborative projects as well as have his/her own projects, which may involve requesting and coordinating contributions or tasks done by others along with performing work. In addition, the Specialist will assist some team-wide projects and contribute to team reporting.

 
Specific Responsibilities:

All responsibilities will be under the direction of the Associate Director, State & Local Advocacy.

Primary state and local advocacy and policy responsibilities include:

• Lead the team’s state legislation and local policy tracking including screening new policy, review and categorization of bills and ordinances, and using the tracking system to coordinate next steps and bill actions.
• Evaluate proposed policies and recommend USGBC’s position, including identifying areas for potential change and appropriate advocacy actions.
• Oversee the organization’s Public Policy Library.
• Write letters, articles, and other advocacy communications for assigned bills, policies and green building policy topics.
• Conduct direct outreach to USGBC staff, USGBC members, business allies, advocates, and policymakers to support advocacy actions.  
• Collaborate with other team members to execute outreach campaigns to policymakers and state and local candidates.
• Contribute to regular updates and reports on the Team’s policy initiatives. Use team systems to track and report advocacy and lobbying activities.   

Other Responsibilities:

• Contribute to team projects which may include volunteer engagement, local government, special projects, and team work on events.
• Conduct policy research and writing as assigned, such as contributing to policy briefs and case studies.
• Lead on strategic policy projects and advocacy campaigns as assigned.  

Education & Training Requirements/Preferences:

• Undergraduate degree in public policy, government, environmental policy, urban planning, environmental studies, or related fields
• Graduate degree preferred but not required  

Experience Requirements:

• 4-7+ years professional experience, with demonstrated success in project execution
• Work history must show independent work and writing experience 
• Experience with analysis of bills and legislation required  

Other Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in government and policy
• Knowledge of the legislative process
• Excellent critical thinking and research skills
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to articulate clearly and develop persuasive arguments tailored to the target audience
• Positive team attitude and proactive teamwork 
• Familiarity with high performance building technologies and design strategies (preferred)
• Commitment to USGBC mission  

Metrics for Success:

• Ability to read, interpret, and summarize accurately state and local policies and policy proposals, including identifying questions and gray areas for further review with input from others.
• Ability to use and keep updated team systems for tracking legislative and regulatory activity.
• Ability to prepare accurate, high-quality advocacy materials on specific bills, written to appeal to target audience.
• Implement advocacy projects, such as follow up with policymakers, allies, and members, regarding an assigned bill.
• Ability to independently represent USGBC in public settings (e.g., participating in conferences and meetings, bimonthly Advocacy calls, presentations)
• Ability to independently contact policymakers and advocates including by email and calls to discuss bills, legislative schedules, and other issues.
• Willingness to learn and conduct policy research. 
• Continually develop working knowledge of USGBC/GBCI portfolio of tools and platforms, and awareness of green building industry issues and advances.  

Employee Supervision:

No supervisory responsibilities. The Specialist may be asked to direct an intern on a specific project.

Travel Requirements:

Travel for this position will range from day trips to occasional 2 to 5-day trips to domestic locations and may include up to one week at Greenbuild each fall. Some travel may fall on weekends. All travel expenses are subject to budgetary and department approval.

Details:

• Full Time, permanent, salaried, benefits-eligible, exempt status
• Location: 2101 L Street NW, Washington, DC or remote 
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm EST, 40 hours per week, including occasional evenings and weekends. Potential to adjust working hours to reflect time zone of residence.
• Travel – upon request and approval 
• USGBC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to advancing social equity in our work and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion  

Benefits:

Employees work for an established mission-based and member-driven nonprofit organization with a compelling vision, non-profit competitive compensation commensurate with experience and skill level, generous benefits package, 401(k) matching and comprehensive health insurance.  

The headquarters office is a LEED Platinum commercial interior space in a LEED certified building in the LEED Platinum certified central business district in the first LEED Platinum certified city, Washington, DC.   The office serves as an example for green design and construction products and practices.  It is close to public transportation and incorporates many healthy and environmentally friendly features.