HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT
As a Senior Associate, Energy and Air Quality, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping advance the goals of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and its Technical Development team. The Technical Development team is seeking a skilled professional to expand our technical capabilities and contribute to two critical topic areas: energy and carbon and indoor environmental quality. In this role, you will assume ownership of pertinent committee operations and help guide the ongoing evolution, refinement, and optimization of USGBC products—including LEED—to ensure they remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned with USGBC’s mission and strategic objectives.
You’ll report to the Director of Energy and Carbon and be part of a highly collaborative matrixed team environment where your contributions will help shape impactful outcomes through USGBC products and thought leadership. You’ll work closely with Technical Development colleagues and other teams like Education, Innovation and Research, and Product Management and may regularly partner with Technical Customer Service or Certification to resolve questions regarding the interpretation of rating system language in relevant topic areas.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of strategic goals for energy and carbon and indoor environmental quality for LEED and other USGBC/GBCI products in key technical areas in such as:
- Energy benchmarking, building performance standards, and decarbonization.
- Indoor air quality (ventilation, filtration, monitoring, etc.).
- High-performance design analysis and practices.
- Identify and help understand the implications of new and developing industry issues, trends, scientific research, publications, technologies, regulatory requirements, and standards with a focus on the nexus between energy and air quality.
- Facilitate technical conversations, conduct research, and build consensus on technical solutions that enhance the usability, implementation, and impact of USGBC/GBCI products worldwide.
- Aid in the development and optimization of technical tools and resources, such as rating system guidance, addenda, sample forms, and adaptions to existing rating systems that support specific project types, regions, and innovative approaches.
- Cultivate engagement with global external subject matter experts focused on the built environment.
- Support the vision for volunteerism at USGBC by leading committee operations for at least two LEED Technical Advisory Groups (Energy and Atmosphere and Indoor Environmental Quality), including document development, agenda drafting, meeting coordination and facilitation, note taking, and acting as staff point of contact for volunteer industry professionals.
- Support in public speaking engagements and create technical content presentations, effectively communicating technical information on energy and environmental quality to diverse audiences.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- At least 2–5 years of relevant technical experience in engineering or energy management
- General knowledge of ASHRAE standards, especially 90.1 and 62.1
- Robust exposure to and familiarity with building energy management and high-performance building systems, including HVAC, and their interactions
- General knowledge of LEED rating systems
- Experience with LEED-certified projects preferred
- Combination of US and relevant international experience a plus
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or a related field required
Key Skills
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to high-performance building design processes, with a focus on energy and air quality aspects and the interaction among building systems
- Familiarity with building decarbonization approaches, such as building electrification measures, carbon assessments/projections, and strategic decarbonization planning
- Familiarity with prevalent model energy and IAQ codes
- Awareness of resilience considerations in the built environment
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Collaborative and constructive mindset with demonstrated success in team-oriented environments
- Ability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships with a diverse array of colleagues and external stakeholders
- Ability to research and present complex solutions to varied audiences
- Strong written and oral communication
- Consistent self-management, including balancing competing priorities and attention to detail
- Commitment to USGBC mission
Technology/System(s)
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required, including advanced Excel capabilities
- Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) preferred
- Experience with energy modeling (EnergyPlus/OpenStudio, eQUEST, IES, or similar) strongly preferred
- Proficiency with Smartsheet and Salesforce preferred but not required
Certifications
- LEED Accredited Professional (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire)
Language
ABOUT OUR TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE
Salary
Final compensation and benefits will be confirmed at the time of offer and may vary based on factors such as internal equity, relevant experience, qualifications, and employment status. Please note that salary negotiations will not extend beyond the top of the internal salary range.
Benefits
We offer you:
- Competitive compensation
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Professional development reimbursement
- We offer a healthcare plan through Cigna that includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs. USGBC covers 100% of the premiums and an HRA that will assist you and your dependents in reaching the in-network medical deductible. You will only be responsible for the $300 individual / $600 family up front deductible for medical services before the employer funded HRA will process payments for your in-network claims
- Generous paid time off (12 paid holidays, 9 paid personal sick days and based on career level either 2 to 3 weeks PTO), including operations closed for a full week between Christmas and New Year’s
- 6 weeks paid renewal leave after 7 years of continuous service
LOGISTICS
Location: This position is in the Washington DC office or remote in the U.S.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am–5:30 pm, in the team member’s local time zone, with occasional meetings scheduled in Eastern Time
Travel %: approximately 5% for occasional conferences, speaking events, and team retreats
EEO STATEMENT
The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
ABOUT US
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED, PERFORM, SITES, and TRUE Zero Waste.
We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.
Our Global Impact
- Over 120,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
- Millions of square feet of certified healthy, efficient, low-carbon space
- Recognition in 180+ countries for innovation in green building and business practices
Why Join Us
At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:
- A purpose-driven, inclusive culture
- Opportunities to grow your career and take ownership of meaningful work
- A chance to make a measurable impact on global sustainability efforts
- We’re seeking team members who thrive in collaborative environments, are committed to excellence, and want to build lasting partnerships that drive change in the built environment.
Meet Our Leaders and Learn More about our Mission:
Culture and Values Statement
Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.
