Center for Green Schools Fellowship – New Jersey
Organization: U.S. Green Building Council
Position Title: Center for Green Schools Fellow
Location: New Jersey
Hours & Compensation: Full-time.
Position Dates: Three year commitment.
Posted On: March 5, 2013
Organization Overview:
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools was formed to expand USGBC’s efforts to drive change in how schools and campuses are designed, constructed and operated so they will enhance every aspect of student learning experience. The vision of the Center is green schools for every child within this generation. The Green Schools Fellowship program provides partner school districts or organizations with a dedicated expert to bring this vision to reality.
Description:
The Fellow placed within the New Jersey School Board Association will become part of, and work with, the NJSBA’s existing sustainability team to assist with and expand their three prong approach to meet the Association’s sustainability objectives. Over the past 24 months, NJSBA has established several goal statements to define what it believes will bring the Association into a leadership position in the state and nationally, blazing the trail for its school board members as well as other school board associations across the country. NJSBA holds itself responsible for transforming New Jersey Schools into sustainable places of learning, with additional focus on financial savings and student achievement gains.
Over the past two years, NJSBA has developed a three prong approach to educate school board members and give them the means to make their schools healthier and more efficient. NJSBA staff work to address (1) facilities, (2) curriculum, and (3) professional development for school board leadership and decision-making skills. This approach provides the opportunity to address school board members’ concerns and objections with accurate information from experts, helping them outline comprehensive solutions for their districts’ unique sustainability needs.
The Fellowship offers an extraordinary amount of independence paired with a rigorous training program. Green Schools Fellows are individuals who understand the patience and persistence that is required to be a change agent in a complex organization. Fellows will be selected based on the qualifications outlined below as well as the ability to make a three year commitment to New Jersey School Boards Association.
Responsibilities:
General Responsibilities
- Become thoroughly familiar with the Association’s structure, history, and staff responsibilities within the first month of hire
- Work with NJSBA staff to assess the practices of the NJSBA’s operations to find target areas for improvement in efficiency, resource conservation and environmental health
- Using current NJSBA sustainability objectives, set forth initial one, three and five year plans to progress New Jersey school districts toward more efficient, environmentally responsible, healthy schools
- Update these plans regularly throughout the three-year term of the Fellowship
- Respond to media inquiries and prepare for publicity opportunities with USGBC and NJSBA Communications teams
School Board Training and Assistance
- Assist NJSBA staff in developing and delivering sustainability training programs for school board members and other district staff
- Develop training program components that will help school board members to understand basic elements contained in the LEED for Schools and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Rating Systems, including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality
- Work with NJSBA staff to develop policy and contract language for school board members that can be disseminated through NJSBA channels and network. Necessary research and policy development may extend to improvements to school grounds, building projects, cleaning and maintenance, food, procurement, waste management and other topics that may influence the ability of districts to maintain efficient, environmentally responsible, healthy schools
- Provide information and resources for new LEED projects to disseminate to NJ school districts, connecting project teams with community resources and GBCI technical support as needed. By the end of the second year of the Fellowship, design and develop a handbook for school board members to assist them in achieving LEED certification
New Brunswick and Trenton School Board Assistance
- Provide extra attention and strategic guidance to School Board members and school district staff in Trenton and New Brunswick
- Pilot communications and policy recommendations with the staff of these two districts to gauge state-wide reaction and implementation
State-level NJSBA Program and Staff Assistance
- Assist with NJSBA staff to kick-off the first annual Sustainability Ingenuity Challenge, facilitated through NJSBA in collaboration with NJ Technology Engineering Educators Association
- Assist NJSBA staff and consultants in finishing the LEED certification process for NJSBA headquarters in Trenton, NJ
- Assist NJSBA’s current sustainability staff in aligning the LEED credit category subject areas to environmental education and core curriculum content standards
- With USGBC New Jersey, act as a convener of area green building practitioners and champions around the school districts of New Jersey
- Schedule meetings and attend regional events and conferences to make connections and partnerships for the benefit of NJSBA, representing the Center for Green Schools at USGBC
Administrative Responsibilities
- Report to USGBC monthly on successes and challenges, and participate in bi-weekly calls with the Center for Green Schools Fellowship Manager and other Fellows around the country
- Report monthly to the Executive Director of NJSBA and NJSBA’s sustainability team
- Proactively maintain regular communication with Center for Green Schools and NJSBA staff
- Provide green schools information for NJSBA School Notes and assist with green schools articles for NJSBA School Leader Magazine
- Attend and participate in professional development opportunities, including in-person trainings in Washington, DC, Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, and relevant regional conferences (as funded by the Fellowship)
Qualifications:
Education & Training Requirements/Preferences
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Organizational Sustainability, Building Sciences, Environmental Science, Public Health, Business Administration or equivalent work experience in a related field
- LEED Green Associate or LEED Accredited Professional (AP) Credential strongly preferred
- Willingness to become a LEED Green Associate within first 3 months of position required
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 2 years relevant professional experience working in an office environment
- Experience working on a LEED project team referred
- Experience leading and managing individuals and teams, such as staff or board members preferred
- Experience working in a K12 school environment or with K12 school/district staff preferred
- Experience serving on a board of education or other school decision-making body preferred
Other Required Skills and Qualifications
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills
- Entrepreneurial, creative self-starter
- Attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks
- Very strong organizational and project management skills
- Ability to connect with people and build relationships with business, organizational, community, city and county leaders; ability to handle a broad range of stakeholders with grace and diplomacy
- Commitment to USGBC mission
- Commitment to the vision of sustainability for all of New Jersey’s public schools
- Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekends
- Knowledge of the sustainable built environment and green building practices
- Strong computer skills, including fluency with Microsoft Office products
How to Apply: If you find this position is a great fit with your expertise and experience, please:
- Email or fax your resume and a letter of interest to our human resources department (contact information below).
- Note the title of the position you are applying for and your salary requirements.
- Submit files as PDFs or Word documents
Contact Information:
US Green Building Council, http://www.usgbc.org
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 202-478-5046
Job URL: http://new.usgbc.org/jobs-internships-center-green-schools-fellowship
