Regional Director, Houston

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability U.S.A., a non-profit association of local governments that works with cities, towns, and counties to offer technical expertise, tools and guidance on a range of environmental, sustainability projects, seeks a dynamic, experienced Regional Director to establish the new ICLEI South Central Regional Capacity Center.

Position Overview:

In coordination with the Deputy Director, this position will oversee and implement the ongoing strategy and development of ICLEI’s national scope of work and advance strategic alliances with local and state governments, non-profits and foundations to optimize the resources and service ICLEI provides to local governments in the region as well as across the United States.

This position will be supervised and supported by the Deputy Director located in ICLEI’s U.S. headquarters in Oakland, California. The Regional Director will supervise a Program Officer(s) as part of the overall responsibility for the effective delivery of ICLEI’s climate protection tools and technical expertise in the region, as well as to build upon the existing Texas Mayors’ Climate Network and Texas Cities for Climate Protection Network. The position will take a lead role in furthering ICLEI’s presence in the region and ability to support the members there.

Responsibilities include: 

* Lead the South Central Regional Capacity Center’s strategic planning and business development efforts. Actively seek and pursue funding opportunities through various sources to continue and expand ICLEI’s work in the South Central. Research and apply for grants to support the South Central RCC and the member jurisdictions it serves.
* Establish relationships with regional governments and the region’s state government agencies and offices responsible for implementing climate and energy policy.  
* Lead efforts to link state and local climate policy development.
* Expand the scope of the Texas Cities for Climate Protection Network through regional activities, recruitment, and business development.
* Develop regular means of communications with regional members to disseminate information. 
* Organize regional workshops and trainings for local governments, state agencies, and funders. 
* Represent ICLEI and its member communities at state and regional climate protection meetings. 
* Oversee full- and part-time regular and temporary staff assisting regional member local governments participating in ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign and efforts recruiting new jurisdictions to participate in ICLEI’s campaigns and initiatives
* Maintain an active knowledge of regional developments in the fields of climate change, emissions reduction, alternative fuels, energy policy, and other relevant areas.

Qualifications:

Qualified applicants will possess advanced knowledge of and/or experience working with local governments on the topics of climate, energy, and/or other sustainability initiatives.

The ideal candidate must hold an advanced degree in a technical or policy-related field and will have at least 7 – 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in energy/climate, transportation, waste, urban environmental issues, or related fields.

Prior experience working with or on behalf of a local or state government is desirable. Applicants must have experience with staff supervision, grant proposal writing, budget development and management, and possess excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal communications, and writing skills.

Applicants must be able to travel throughout Texas and the South Central region of the US.  

* Exceptional relationship-building skills and political sensitivity for working effectively with local government staff, elected officials, and funders in the region; 
* Understanding of and ability to explain the topics of global warming and climate change;
* A successful fundraising track record; 
* Work and/or volunteer experience with local government and national environmental nonprofit organizations; 
* Excellent interpersonal, phone, written communication, and public presentation skills; 
* Strong computer background, with experience in quantitative software programs, including database programs; 
* Clear understanding of how to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and implement various emissions reduction programs; 
* Demonstrated public speaking experience with high-level audiences; 
* Experience supervising professional staff; and
* Ability to work with a high level of independence.

Salary:

Initial salary placement is based on ICLEI's compensation plan for directors, with a hiring salary point between $70,000 and $75,000, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, regular position that includes ICLEI's excellent benefits package.

The job will be primarily based at the ICLEI U.S.A. South Central Regional Capacity Center, in the City of Houston, under a host agreement between the City of Houston and ICLEI. The position will require monthly travel within the region.

To Apply:

Please e-mail  a resume and cover letter that details and demonstrates your experience, qualifications, and why you would be the right choice for this position. No phone calls please.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Applications received after the listed review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

For more information about the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, please visit www.seattle.gov/environment.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability U.S.A., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, veterans, and members of other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.