USGBC is seeking applicants with a strong leadership background in green building, affordable housing, and federal policy to assume the position of Director for Affordable Housing within the Advocacy & Policy Department. The Director for Affordable Housing will be responsible for driving USGBC’s initiatives within this key sector, namely to work toward the goal that all housing should be both green and affordable. Affordable Housing is a primary platform for the organization’s social equity and residential development agendas.
The Director for Affordable Housing will cultivate, manage and grow key relationships and build coalitions within the green building, affordable housing, and public policy sectors. USGBC has a number of strong relationships with key stakeholders in the affordable housing and green residential space; the Director will embrace a coalition-approach in helping to better connect these disparate groups into a more unified group that can affect change on a national and local basis.
This individual will work with large donors and engage in key fundraising activities to fund programs and initiatives in support of USGBC’s affordable housing agenda. These initiatives would include program support for affordable projects, research, national stakeholder working groups, and the USGBC’s annual Affordable Housing Summit at Greenbuild.
Specific Responsibilities Include
- Refine, enhance, and execute USGBC’s existing Affordable Housing strategic plan, engaging in advocacy and policy efforts at all levels of government
- Lead and further develop the Coalition for Green Affordable Housing, an initiative begun in 2010 in concert with the National Housing Conference as well as fifteen other industry participants to improve overall industry coordination and jointly address legislative issues and regulatory fixes
- Lead the Public Housing Sustainability Network, a national partnership between USGBC and Enterprise Community Partners that targets PHA staff interested in implementing green building and sustainability measures in the design, construction and operation of public housing projects. The network currently includes representatives from approximately 40 U.S. cities, and hosts monthly conference calls focusing on case studies, green building education/training, and legislative initiatives
- Organize and represent USGBC on additional national coalitions that help to drive policy action around green affordable housing, including groups that are active within the tax-credit finance realm
- Work closely with USGBC development in pursuit of funding opportunities to further USGBC’s mission within the affordable housing sector
- Assist in developing educational programs designed to promote increased awareness of sustainability within the affordable housing sector
- Assist in coordinating with the current LEED for Homes Midrise pilot on issues specifically affecting affordable housing
- Assist in drafting amendments to the LEED for Homes Rating System that will make it more responsive to the affordable housing market
- Assist in defining the boundaries between LEED for Homes, LEED-NC, and other LEED products, as applicable to affordable housing projects
- Incorporate lessons learned in the LEED for Homes program infrastructure and supporting documents
- Drive program creation and coordination for the annual Affordable Housing Summit at Greenbuild (beginning 2011)
- Develop case studies on successful projects in the pilot demonstration of the LEED for Homes Initiative for Affordable Housing. The purpose of these case studies is to highlight the true costs and benefits of creating socially and environmentally responsible, affordable homes
Education and Training Requirements/Preferences
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Advanced degrees in environmental or public affairs preferred
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 5 years relevant professional experience working with issues of green building, affordable housing, and federal policy required
- Prior experience within the affordable housing sector is required
- Experience in sustainable building practices and/or residential construction is a plus
Other Required Qualifications/Skills
- Excellent interpersonal abilities with demonstrable track record of cultivating, managing and growing key relationships and building coalitions
- Strong analytical and presentation skills are required
- LEED AP or ASID credentials a plus
- USGBC experience and familiarity (e.g., chapter membership) strongly preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with public speaking
- Strong computer skills, including fluency in MS Office suite
- Excellent organization and multitasking abilities
- Ability to travel up to 50% of time
- Commitment to USGBC mission
