USGBC-CA

Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Sacramento or surrounding areas, CA
Full Time
Mid Level


USGBC-CA Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

This position supports the U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA’s) efforts in policymaking, advocacy, government affairs with a focus on climate, green buildings, and sustainability. As our Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, you will help to analyze local, regional, and statewide policy and make recommendations on strategy, represent the organization at advocacy and community events, build relationships with State lawmakers and public agencies, drive member endeavors, and contribute to the organization’s goals leading the statewide Green Building Movement. This position is slated to begin in March 2025, and will be an integral part of our USGBC-CA team reporting to our Senior Community & Events Manager. 

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker, working collaboratively internally and externally to advocate for change via the lens of green building practices. They are eager to dive into the research, develop the relationships needed to promote and implement our policy and advocacy goals, and support our mission for a healthier environment for all.

 

TASKS:

  • Advise on implementation strategy for the organization’s policy advocacy locally, statewide, and nationally, researching relevant legislation, providing recommendations to senior leadership, drafting policy support letters, and participating in lobby meetings.
  • Serve as the organization’s representative as needed in meetings with elected representatives and their teams as well as federal, state, local, and public agency staff as needed.
  • Work with the Marketing team to effectively communicate with staff, members, and the USGBC-CA member community about the organization’s advocacy efforts, including but not limited to staff presentations, newsletter articles, the Policy & Advocacy community in the Community Hub, and reporting.
  • Assist the Development Department with grants, partnerships, and collaboration around funding pursuits related to our advocacy work when appropriate.
  • Track and analyze policy related to green buildings, ability to report and present findings. 
  • Prepares and presents reports and/or presentations to stakeholders, committees, and other working groups, as necessary.
  • Support the CalBPS Peer Learning Collaborative meeting series and the development of the USGBC-CA Building Performance Resource Hub.
  • Attend meetings and conferences, take excellent notes, form relationships with key organizations, public agencies, and individuals, and drive follow up on action items.
  • Implements community outreach and stakeholder engagement initiatives to support projects and programs and increase public awareness and understanding of green building practices.
  • Assist with the planning, producing, and execution of USGBC California’s Advocacy Day.
 

 

SKILLS NEEDED:

  • A 3-5 years experience, reviewing and recommending climate policy and legislation demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the California built environment ecosystem; experience with representing an agency at external events, meetings, and coalition tables.
  • Familiarity with the inner workings of local, regional, and/or state government, including State public agencies and State legislature. 
  • Basic to intermediate level understanding of: 
    • Legislative and/or budget process 
    • Advocacy, grassroots organizing, and/or social change campaigns 
    • Politics and current events
  • Ability to interact with and serve as a representative of USGBC-CA with elected officials
  • Google Workspace, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, CANVA, or similar programs required; experience with task management platforms such as Monday or Notion preferred, but not required. 
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to communicate professionally and efficiently with all levels of management and with community members.
  • Knowledge of principles and best practices of project management and community engagement. 
  • Experience supporting project tasks, scheduling meetings, and maintaining a professional demeanor in stakeholder meetings.
  • Familiarity with environmental sustainability concepts: resilience and climate adaptation, water conservation, building decarbonization, embodied carbon, renewable energy technologies, energy management systems, or some combination thereof.
  • Possesses a collaborative spirit, with the ability to contribute to annual strategic planning, work closely with other departments across the organization and work creatively toward goals. 
  • Desire to learn, adapt, and explore new skills, technology, and workflow processes.

A bonus if you also have: 

  • Experience working in supportive collaboration with communities and diverse groups 
  • Appreciation for community expertise regarding resources and assistance that will meet their needs
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 
  • Capability for self-directed learning with little need for constant oversight and a willingness to take on multiple projects w/similar needs or requirements  
  • Flexibility to exist in a fast-paced, generative professional environment with multiple assignments
  • Desire to grow professionally as a contributor and a leader within the organization
  • A positive attitude and enthusiasm for contributing both independently and as part of a team
  • Collaborative problem-solving skills with curiosity for understanding the overall project vision, as well as technical details 
  • Professional maturity and self-awareness in knowing and communicating your strengths, limitations, and competencies to the management team
  • Emotional intelligence, intuition, and good instincts
  • Fluency in the Spanish language
 

TIME COMMITMENT & COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time, hybrid position. Location: anywhere within California, some travel to Sacramento. Annual salary range is $60,000-$75,000.

We offer a full benefits package with discretionary unlimited vacation, 13 paid holidays, healthcare coverage (including vision and dental), 401k, and life insurance. We have parental leave and offer an annual bonus program while working in a flexible, hybrid structure. 

Staff has the availability to attend our trainings and other industry events in our network and we also offer reimbursement for continuing education. We strive to have a work-life balance where we work to live and have regular team-building events to maintain our culture.

 

ABOUT USGBC California:

USGBC-CA is about people – Passionate, practical, and informed professionals and advocates who work together to transform California into a more sustainable region for all. USGBC-CA is the best place for anyone to learn the “why”, “who” and “how” of living sustainably, because business, as usual, is no longer an option. Volunteers and members believe in a sustainable built environment, gaining education, being exposed to innovation, and taking impactful action.


 
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