Policy Director for Climate, Energy & Equity

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity with the vision of advancing the social determinants of health and racial equity through healthy housing. With an emphasis on black and brown communities, GHHI delivers improved health, economic and social outcomes. GHHI supports housing, environmental health, and energy efficiency services for families in communities around the country, as well as conducting direct services in Maryland. GHHI’s delivery model is based on its data-driven philosophy that public and private social investments are optimized and social program outcomes are maximized when the energy, health, and safety needs of an occupied home are addressed comprehensively, efficiently, and simultaneously. GHHI’s employees are all expected to work by the organization’s operating values of assuming good intent, operate with transparency, deliver on time with excellence, and ensure racial equity and diversity are part of all policies, practices, and actions.

GHHI seeks a smart, thoughtful, and strategic Policy Director who shares GHHI’s mission, to join the Climate, Energy & Equity Team (CEE).  The CEE team works with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate GHHI’s work advancing policies and programs that support healthy, energy efficient, and carbon-free housing for all Americans, particularly residents of Black and Brown communities. The Policy Director will collaborate with the CEE team, other teams within GHHI, and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to advance holistic policies and programs at the federal, state, and local level.

Initially, the Policy Director is anticipated to focus heavily on federal policy work, coordinating and supporting efforts to engage Congress, administrative and regulatory agencies, and others to advance a coordinated approach to healthy, safe, energy efficient, decarbonized and affordable housing.  The Policy Director will contribute to efforts to engage state and local governments, as well.  The Policy Director will report to the Vice President for Climate, Energy & Equity.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Partnership Development, Coalition Building, and Advocacy: Assist to develop a multi-year advocacy strategy focused on advancing a coordinated approach to healthy, safe, energy efficient, decarbonized, and affordable housing at the federal, state, and local levels.  Connect with public and private sector stakeholders.  Establish relationships with policy makers in federal agencies, legislative bodies, and state and local administrative agencies.  Advocate for policy recommendations.  Work to break down silos across agencies and programs that prevent effective, streamlined service delivery.  Collaborate with national and local organizations and coalitions that are advancing similar policy goals, paying special attention to the needs of low-income communities and communities of color.  Assist to build relationships with funders who have aligned interests.
• Policy Development: Work closely with GHHI teams and partners to develop and advance policies, protocols, and approaches to advance electrification, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and healthy housing. Policies may involve energy efficiency, energy affordability, climate justice, housing standards, code enforcement, resource alignment, utilities, etc.  This position will support the creation of briefs, strategies, and protocols related to healthy housing work.
• Support Training and Technical Assistance: Assist to develop and implement successful holistic programs that achieve decarbonization, energy efficiency, and healthy housing for historically excluded communities.  Support the sharing of policy recommendations, toolboxes, and other policy-related products to GHHI partners around the country through on-site trainings, technical assistance workshops, and webinars. Stay abreast of current Climate Action, Healthy Housing, Weatherization / Energy Efficiency, Hazard Remediation, related activities and best practices locally and nationally

The successful applicant must possess:

• Proven track record of success in advancing policy priorities in legislative and administrative arenas
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Proven project management and organizational skills with attention to detail
• A demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and achieve results across multiple partnerships and agendas, including efforts at the national and grassroots levels
• An ability to work independently
• Cultural awareness and strong interpersonal skills for interacting with colleagues, clients and program partners of all demographic and professional levels
• A track record for open and effective internal and external communication; be able to effectively engage diverse audiences and stakeholders verbally and in writing
• Possess strong presentation, communications, and public speaking skills
• Flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products

The ideal Vice President of Climate, Energy, and Equity will possess:

• Graduate degree in climate and environmental studies, public policy, energy, public health, government, law, urban planning, business, economics, or another related field
• At least five years of experience spearheading large-scale public policy or public health campaigns
• Ability to travel for meetings, trainings, and conferences when they can be safely accomplished

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt position. Position includes full benefits package and competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. GHHI is an equal opportunity employer. The position reports to GHHI’s Vice President for Climate, Energy & Equity. GHHI’s office is located at 2714 Hudson St., Baltimore MD 21224