Community Engagement Manager-Seattle, WA

The Cascadia Green Building Council (Cascadia) seeks an exceptional Community Engagement Manager for a dynamic, fast-growing non-profit to support Cascadia in our Portland, Oregon office. Cascadia’s mission is to lead and support the transformation toward a built environment that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.

The Community Engagement Manager’s role is to manage a region-wide community engagement process to advance a new generation of buildings throughout the bioregion. The role of Cascadia staff is to:

1. Broaden the audience for the Cascadia/the Institute’s mission, initiatives and programs by enhancing our community standing and visibility;
2. Facilitate deepening engagement among key stakeholders and volunteers;
3. Identify and help to secure revenue to support Cascadia/the Institute’s initiatives and programs.
4. Advance policies, standards, and institutional behaviors that support the strategic goals of Cascadia/the Institute;

In order to fulfill this role, the Community Engagement Manager is responsible for managing the planning and implementation of Cascadia’s community engagement efforts across the Cascadia region (Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon) in collaboration with other staff and volunteer groups (Collaborative Network), maintaining strong relationships with partner organizations, and fundraising with the goal of improving the sustainability of the built environment. The work of the Cascadia team is focused on transformation of the building sector via community engagement, strategic campaigns, education efforts and grassroots organizing and support.

This job is full-time, exempt and typically 40 hours per week, but also requires a willingness to work a flexible schedule, with regional, domestic and/or international (North America) travel on occasion.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and is supplemented by Cascadia’s generous benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, 403(b) retirement matching (US) or Group Retirement Payroll Savings Plan with matching contributions (Canada), three weeks of paid annual leave and 12 days paid annual sick leave.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – Approximately 25%

• As a subject-matter expert, manage the cultivation of relationships with Cascadia volunteers, members, sponsors and funders with whom Cascadia will share perspectives, expertise and ideas to advance green building goals as appropriate
• Collaboratively draft forward‐looking plan for Cascadia’s community engagement activities
• Manage coordination, and delegation of community engagement tasks and initiatives
• Proactively engage in the Institute’s, CaGBC, USGBC programs and liaise between others to collaborate on local community engagement efforts
• Manage Collaborative Network Program
• Connect volunteers with meaningful opportunities to support the mission.

• Encourage collaboration from the community in shaping the direction of regional programming.

• Facilitate the development of leadership skills among and create opportunities for emerging leaders.

•Maintain an ongoing and frequent dialogue with Executive Director and colleagues

OUTREACH – Approximately 20%

• Represent Cascadia/the Institute at public events, conferences, publications in print, online and recorded media, and public testimony.

• Participate in coalitions and serve on local boards, commissions, and technical advisory groups.

• Promote Cascadia/the Institute’s programs and services via networks

• Plan and implement revenue neutral / generating seminars, forums, confluences and/or summits for building professionals, public agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
• Build coalitions and collaborative relationships with key partners within your region and collaborate with staff to expand these relationships outside the region as deemed necessary / appropriate.

ADVOCACY – 20%

• Support Policy and Advocacy Manager in the cultivation of relationships with legislators, legislative staff, mayors and municipal elected and appointed officials with whom Cascadia staff and volunteers will share perspectives, expertise and ideas to advance green building goals as appropriate

•Proactively engage in the Institute’s, CaGBC, USGBC programs and liaise between others to collaborate on local advocacy efforts

MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDRAISING – Approximately 25%

•Build corporate relationships in order to solicit event / program sponsorships

•Create and steward partnerships with nonprofit and government organizations

• Assist with implementation of membership development plan
• Recruit and retain individuals to join Cascadia/the Institute’s membership program
• Communicate directly and regularly with new and current members in order to cultivate a strong relationship between Cascadia and its members
• Participate in seasonal fund development efforts led by Development Department

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS – Approximately 5%

• Grant and contract seeking, in cooperation with the Development Department that align with Cascadia / the Institute’s mission and goals.

• Perform billable services (contracted or grant funded)

ADMINISTRATION – Approximately 5%

• Provide day-today oversight and reporting on programs, grant, and contract budgets and activities as needed.

• Coordinate/communicate with other staff as needed.

• Perform all required internal and external reporting as needed.

•Oversee and evaluate performance of volunteers and interns

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

•Minimum 3-5 years of related professional experience
•Commitment to the Cascadia mission, the green building movement, and sustainability
•Familiarity with Cascadia’s core programs (Living Building Challenge, Petal Recognition, Net Zero Energy Building Certification, Declare)
•Knowledge of green building design, construction strategies, technologies and materials, and the ability to articulate the environmental, health, and economic benefits of green building
•Understanding of core advocacy principles and how to message them to policy makers, community stakeholders, and key staff members
•Ability to tailor advocacy message for appropriate audience
•Strong understanding of state / province and local government process
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills
•Strong organizational and facilitation skills
•Ability to effectively manage deadlines and delegate tasks as appropriate
•Strong connections within the Cascadia region based building-related and sustainability-focused organizations and businesses, including architecture and engineering firms, state and local governmental agencies, and others who are making a difference in the region.
•Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people representing different organizations, backgrounds and perspectives.
•Proven ability to research complex issues, craft possible solutions, and recommend policy actions
•Experience effectively managing volunteers.
•Proven organizational skills and project management experience.
•Entrepreneurial, business and fundraising skills.
•Ability to work with MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Salesforce. Graphics, desktop publishing and web skills are a plus.

Education and Training:
•Bachelor’s degree or greater in a field complimentary to job duties and/or mission of the organization
•Living Future Accreditation, LEED Green Associate or LEED AP / LEED AP with Specialty

Desirable:

•Friendly, outgoing nature and an eagerness to serve the public interest. An ability to go with the flow in a fast-paced, high-energy organization.
•Effective and empathetic mentoring skills.
•Creative problem solving skills.
•Good sense of humor and a collaborative work spirit.

Cascadia Mission

Our mission is to lead and support the transformation toward communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.

Cascadia Vision

Our vision is to have Cascadia serve as a global example for a Living Future with the most progressive policies and the greatest uptake of restorative design principles at both the building and community scale.

PLEASE SEND A RESUME AND LETTER OF INTENT TO[email protected] BY March 28, 2015

CASCADIA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER