State Policy Project Manager

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. 

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the premier certification body responsible for global delivery and quality oversight of green building and green business sustainability standards. Its integrated team of green building specialists administers credentials and certifications for the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), the International WELL Building Institute (WELL Building Standard), International Finance Corporation (EDGE), PEER, Sustainable SITES, TRUE Zero Waste, and IREE. 

The Advocacy & Policy team at USGBC supports community leaders and policymakers at every level of government.  We provide the tools, strategies, and resources they need to be inspired and to take action toward a sustainable built environment. 

The State Policy Project Manager will serve as a critical member of the Advocacy and Policy team, focused on policy, with responsibilities including research, analysis, advocacy, collaboration, and communications around policy priorities. The State Policy Project Manager’s scope will be predominately state level but may include occasional local government assignments. The State Policy Project Manager will develop subject matter expertise on assigned issue areas, write articles and briefs on a variety of topics, engage with internal and external stakeholders, and support department-wide activities. These responsibilities involve working closely with external partners to collaborate and communicate about USGBC priorities, as well as with other teams in the organization and other members of the Advocacy and Policy team.

Specific Responsibilities:

Advocacy Engagement

• Leading USGBC’s Advocacy Volunteer Network, including communication with volunteers, monthly newsletter, and monthly webinar. Developing additional engagement opportunities and strategies.
• Managing USGBC’s Advocacy Committees and Advocacy Days, including plans for growth.

Policy Advocacy

• Using the team’s legislation tracking systems, including review and categorization of bills as assigned. 
• Evaluating policies including bills, regulations, and other forms, and recommend USGBC position. With input from other team members, identifying proposed changes to bills and other draft policies to meet specified objectives. Identifying and implementing appropriate advocacy actions.
• Conducting direct outreach to elected and government officials, ally organizations, and USGBC members, staff, and volunteers in support of objectives on assigned bills and other policies. Creating and implementing outreach strategies to advocate for USGBC objectives.

Communications through Writing and Presentations

• Researching, writing, and contributing to projects such as briefs, case studies, and other resources to support USGBC objectives, policy priorities, and team projects, as assigned.
• Making presentations in meetings, virtual meetings, hearings, public meetings, conferences, webinars, and other events.

Team Support

• Collaborating with team members to support outreach with federal policymakers and government staff, including communicating state issues and perspectives. Support the team members engaged in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) related projects.
• Communicating progress such as through emails, articles, reports, and team systems. 

Education & Training Requirements/Preferences:

• Undergraduate degree in public policy, government, environmental policy, environmental science, urban planning, or related fields. 

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of post-college experience; 7+ years preferred.
• 5+ years of proven experience managing state or local advocacy or policy, required. 
• Experience in managing policy across multiple states and/or local jurisdictions preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit or government position preferred. 
• Work history must show independent work and writing experience, along with demonstrated success in project execution.

Other Required Skills and Qualifications:

• High level of comfort in initiating outreach. 
• Excellent writing skills, willingness to develop skills for persuasive arguments tailored to the target audience.
• Positive team attitude and proactive teamwork.
• Commitment to USGBC mission. 
• Ability to thrive as part of a virtual team.

Employee Supervision:

• No supervisory responsibilities. The State Policy Project Manager may be asked to direct an intern on a specific project.

Metrics for Success:

• Ability to proactively manage activities and make progress on assigned projects. 
• Ability to prepare accurate, high-quality advocacy communications with limited supervision. 
• Developing subject matter expertise in assigned areas.
• Ability to collaborate with team members, internal and external partners. 
• Ability to frequently and confidently represent USGBC in public settings (e.g., presentations, participating in conferences and meetings). 
• Willingness to learn about green building policy and advocacy. 
• Continually develop working knowledge of USGBC/GBCI/Arc portfolio of tools and platforms, and awareness of green building industry issues and advances.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel varies from day trips to occasional 2 to 5-day trips to domestic locations, and may include up to one week at Greenbuild each fall. Estimated travel between 20 – 40 days per year. Some travel may fall on weekends. All travel expenses are subject to budgetary and department approval. 

Benefits:

Employees work for an established mission-based and member-driven nonprofit organization with a compelling vision, nonprofit competitive compensation that includes 401k matching, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive health insurance, employer sponsored Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA), generous paid leave, in addition to a renewal leave of six weeks for employees celebrating monumental employment anniversary.  

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, including an on-site gym, rooftop lounge and healthy snacks for staff.