Program Officer or Senior Program Officer, Sustainability

ICLEI USA • Full-time • Remote (United States) • $65k - $90k / year • 17h ago

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Summary

ICLEI USA is hiring for either a Senior Program Officer or Program Officer to provide technical support to local governments in planning and implementing actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including supporting administration and implementation of ICLEI USA’s climate action planning platform, ClearPath 2.0.

About ICLEI

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is the first and largest global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments devoted to solving the world’s most intractable sustainability challenges. The worldwide network is active in 125+ countries, focused on advancing sustainability and resilience policies and driving local action on climate change.

As the USA Office of the global ICLEI network, ICLEI USA develops and delivers leading-edge tools and resources, including its state-of-the-art emissions-management tool, ClearPath 2.0, to support local governments in their sustainability efforts. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce emissions, improve lives and livelihoods and protect natural resources in the U.S. communities we serve. ICLEI USA and our network partners are working to keep 1.5 ℃ alive through a data-driven approach and focus on just and equitable communities.

About Our Members

Local government members (cities, counties, towns, and regions) are the core of our organization. This network of government professionals are the catalysts for a movement toward deep reductions in carbon pollution and tangible improvements in sustainability and resilience. For over 30 years, ICLEI USA has partnered with our members to reduce emissions and become healthier, stronger, and more prepared.

Your Role

The Senior Program Officer or Program Officer will work as part of our team to provide support for and around ICLEI’s ClearPath 2.0 tool, provide technical support to ICLEI USA members, and deliver climate mitigation planning projects (e.g. community and municipal operations GHG inventories, emissions reduction analysis, and climate action plans).

This broad and challenging set of responsibilities is best suited for an individual who has demonstrated abilities to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively, and who has a keen ability to “think on their feet” with quick decision-making aptitude.

This fully remote position requires video conference calls several days each week. Success requires a high-energy and personable approach, with a healthy dose of technical acumen to guide and direct local governments through phases of a holistic sustainability framework.

Job Responsibilities

ClearPath 2.0 tool

Deliver and contribute to updates of training for ICLEI members and consultants
Lead platform walkthroughs, live demonstrations, and technical trainings for diverse audiences in both virtual and in-person settings
Serve as a go-to technical resource for platform users, resolving issues and guiding best practices through real-time and case-based support channels.
Interface with ICLEI’s technical partner on the tool, ClimateView, in coordination with the Technical Manager
Interface with consultants trained through ICLEI’s Trained Professionals Program
Communicate with members, track and coordinate with ClimateView around sales of platform add-ons
Extract, organize, and deliver consistent monthly and recurring program performance reports from multiple data sources.

Sustainability project delivery

Senior Program Officer will serve as project lead for development and effective implementation of projects, and Program Officer will support delivery of projects with members using ClearPath 2.0, including completing local greenhouse gas inventories, emissions reduction analysis, and implementation roadmaps
Effectively prioritize and keep projects on track across multiple projects and deadlines
Deliver learn-do training and assistance cohorts to help local government staff develop plans, policies and programs for emissions reductions and building energy efficiency
Conduct analysis on GHG emissions reduction strategies, and other quantitative analysis (air pollution reductions, costs, etc.)
Present complex information in a clear, accessible format through written reports, data visualizations, and spreadsheets
Conduct research in support of project deliverables
Work with project stakeholders including e.g. city sustainability and community engagement staff and volunteers; excellent communication and client service skills will be required.

Member services

Serve as the primary point of contact for local government members, with ability to talk about ICLEI’s services and offerings across sustainability and resilience programs, and refer members to experts across the ICLEI team as needed.

Position Requirements

Senior Program Officer

Experience working directly for or with local governments on the topics of sustainability and climate change mitigation.
Strong quantitative and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively to different audiences
Excellent analytical, technical, organizational, interpersonal, work planning, time management, communications, and writing skills.
An ability to work independently in a dynamic and evolving organization is required.
Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively in a virtual environment.
Officers are expected to have a can-do attitude and be willing to problem-solve independently.
Experience applying greenhouse gas protocols in a local government context (such as GPC, ICLEI’s US Community Protocol and Local Government Operations Protocol.)

Program Officer

Experience working on change mitigation topics in a local context
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical, technical, organizational, interpersonal, work planning, time management,
An ability to work independently in a dynamic and evolving organization and applicants must be comfortable working collaboratively in a virtual environment
Program Officers are expected to have a can-do attitude and be willing to problem-solve independently

Desired Qualifications

Senior Program Officer

Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree in planning, geography, environmental science, sustainability, or a similar field, or equivalent professional experience.
4+ years experience in sustainability or closely related field, or 2+ years with advanced degree
Strong preference will be given to candidates who have experience using ClearPath 1.0 and/or ClearPath 2.0 to develop emissions inventories, model mitigation scenarios, and support climate action planning.
Knowledge of local programs and policies to support building energy efficiency and electrification.
Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
Experience with delivering trainings and technical assistance or customer service.
Experience tracking and managing sales opportunities or program enrollments through a full lifecycle, from initial outreach to agreement execution and renewal.
Experience leading multi-person teams on projects, and coordinating and delegating tasks
Familiarity with supporting underrepresented communities, neighborhoods, and populations who are at risk and vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Experience developing responses to RFPs and/or grant applications

Program Officer

Experience working with local governments on sustainability topics
Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree in planning, geography, environmental science, policy, sustainability, or a similar field, or equivalent professional experience
2+ years experience in sustainability or closely related field, or 1+ years with advanced degree
Knowledge of local programs and policies to support building energy efficiency and electrification.
Experience with delivering trainings and technical assistance or customer service

Compensation and Application Process

This is a virtual position, reporting to the Sustainability Program Manager, and open to individuals legally authorized to work in the United States. The salary range for a Senior Program Officer is $72,000 – $90,000 and for Program Officers is approximately $65,000 – $72,000, depending on the applicant’s experience. We offer a generous benefits package and the opportunity to work with leading global city climate action experts. This position offers opportunities for growth and professional networking and learning. ICLEI USA honors a “quiet Friday” work environment to provide team members with focus time. Our offices are closed the last two weeks of December and major holidays.

Apply by completing the formwhere you will need to submit your resume and a cover letter by June 26, 2026. Interviews with potential candidates will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The position has an anticipated start date of early July 2026.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity

ICLEI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate the diversity of our team, which is critical to our success. Studies from Harvard Business Review and others have shown that women, people of color, and other under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. Therefore, ICLEI encourages you to think broadly about how to apply your experience and skills to the role.