Program Officer, Zero Emissions Pathway

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

About ICLEI 

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is the first and largest global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments devoted to solving the world’s most intractable sustainability challenges. The worldwide network is active in 125+ countries, focused on influencing sustainability policies and driving local action across five key pathways: low emissions, resilient, equitable, people-centered,  nature-based, and circular development.

As the USA Office of the global ICLEI network, ICLEI USA develops and delivers leading-edge tools and resources, including its state-of-the-art emissions-management tool, ClearPath Climate Planner, to support local governments in their climate change efforts. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve lives and livelihoods and protect natural resources in the U.S. communities we serve. ICLEI USA and our network partners are working to keep 1.5 ℃ alive through a data-driven approach and focus on just and equitable communities.

About Our Members

Local government members (cities, counties, towns, and regions) are the core of our organization.  This network of government professionals are the catalysts for a movement toward deep reductions in carbon pollution and tangible improvements in sustainability and resilience. For over 30 years, ICLEI USA has partnered with our members to reduce emissions and become healthier, stronger, and more prepared.

Your Role 

The Program Officer(Zero Emissions) will work as part of a six-person zero emissions team to deliver climate mitigation planning projects (e.g. community and municipal operations GHG inventories, emissions reduction analysis, and climate action plans) and provide technical support to ICLEI USA members. 

This broad and challenging set of responsibilities is best suited for an individual who has demonstrated abilities to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively, and who has a keen ability to “think on their feet” with quick decision-making aptitude.

This fully remote position requires video conference calls several days each week.  Success requires a high-energy and personable approach, with a healthy dose of technical acumen to guide and direct local governments through phases of a holistic sustainability framework.

Job Responsibilities 

• Interface with local government clients to lead completion of greenhouse gas inventory and emissions reduction analysis projects.
• Collect data from online sources, perform allocation calculations, and enter data in ICLEI’s ClearPath and ClearPath 2.0 platforms.
• Advise members and clients in selecting and modeling emissions reduction strategies.
• Technical writing and research for guidance documents and funded projects.
• Create charts and graphs to display information visually.
• Support development and delivery of ICLEI USA’s zero emissions educational offerings (e.g. learning cohorts).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for 10-20 local government members, with ability to talk about ICLEI’s services and offerings across all pathways (zero emissions, circular, resilience, nature and equity); refer members to experts in other pathways as needed.
• Work with project stakeholders including e.g. city sustainability and community engagement staff and volunteers; excellent communication and client service skills will be required.

Position Requirements

• Experience and/or education in climate mitigation strategies, sustainability, and climate action planning.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Applicants must possess excellent analytical, technical, organizational, interpersonal, work planning, time management, communications, and writing skills.
• An ability to work independently in a dynamic and evolving organization is required.
• Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively in a virtual environment.
• Proficiency with Excel.
• Officers are expected to have a can-do attitude and be willing to problem-solve independently.
• Experience applying greenhouse gas protocols in a local government context (such as GPC, ICLEI’s US Community Protocol and Local Government Operations Protocol.)

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with local governments on the topics of sustainability, climate adaptation/preparedness and climate change mitigation.
• Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree in planning, geography, environmental science, sustainability, or a similar field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 4+ years experience in sustainability or closely related field, or 2+ years with advanced degree
• Familiarity with supporting underrepresented communities, neighborhoods, and populations who are at risk and vulnerable to climate change impacts.
• Experience with delivering trainings and technical assistance or customer service.

Indicators of Success

Within one month on the job, you’ll be familiar with and confident in your ability to discuss ICLEI’s Zero Emissions Pathway, the overall goal of which is to help local governments identify, implement and track local actions to rapidly reduce community and municipal operations GHG emissions. You will have begun working with other Zero Emissions team members to collect, analyze and enter data for GHG inventories and emissions reduction analysis, and to develop report documents for clients.

Within two months, you will start to operate with greater independence, conducting tasks for GHG inventory and climate action planning projects under supervision of other team members.

Within six months, you will be leading delivery of GHG and climate action planning projects for local government clients, with support from team members and the Zero Emissions Team Manager. You will be confident to respond to typical GHG inventory and emissions reduction related questions from members, and to deliver related training content.

Within one year, you will have contributed to 5-10 GHG and climate action planning projects. You will be contributing suggestions for the improvement of the zero emissions team strategy and service delivery processes.