Reports to: Membership Lead
Location: Remote, with occasional travel for in-person events

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 influencing sustainability policies and driving local action across five key pathways: low emissions, resilient, equitable, people-centered,  nature-based, and circular development.

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 Climate Planner, to support local governments in their climate change efforts. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce greenhouse gas 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 

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) is seeking a Membership Program Officer to join our 8-person member-advisory team, who support our growing network of local governments advancing climate and sustainability goals. This role is ideal for someone with experience working for or with city, county, regional or Tribal governments, is an expert communicator and connector and enjoys problem-solving for and with people.

The Membership Program Officer is the primary point of contact for a portfolio of local governments, meaning the officer maintains strong relationships with hundreds of people over the course of each government’s membership cycle. This support may take the form of member onboarding, tailored advising, contributing to a multi-city training cohort, and the delivery of other meaningful peer-learning and networking opportunities, most often virtually. This role calls for a generalist with a passion for sustainability. Some subject matter knowledge in two or more of ICLEI’s “pathways” is an asset: Zero Emissions, Resilience, Nature, Equity, or Circular Economy.

Key Responsibilities

Member Support & Advising

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of up to 75 local governments.
• Provide timely and strategic guidance to help members navigate ICLEI resources, tools, programs, and technical support.
• Eagerness to have daily discussions (virtual video calls) with city or county governments, internal ICLEI USA colleagues, and other stakeholders, likely for 4+ hours per day.
• Track member needs, engagement levels, and priorities using Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Support the onboarding of new members and transitions of existing members to ensure continuity and value.

Member Programming & Engagement

• Support with the planning and facilitation of regular member-facing programming (e.g., webinars, training cohort sessions, topic-specific roundtables, peer exchanges).
• Identify opportunities for cross-community learning and facilitate networking spaces that foster relationship-building across the member network.
• Collaborate with other ICLEI teams to connect members with relevant ICLEI or partner programs, technical assistance, and policy initiatives.
• Help design and deliver regional or national in-person convenings to build a more connected and resilient network.

Network Development

• Actively build connections among members to foster a vibrant, peer-supported community of practice.
• Help identify opportunities for members to co-create programming, speak at events, or take leadership roles in the network.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience working in a local government climate, sustainability, or resilience office strongly preferred.
• Superb interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, with a customer-service mindset and a proven track record bringing people together and working with an array of stakeholders. You should have the ability to take actionable notes — and are driven to put those notes to work on behalf of your member governments.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and be a matchmaker in terms of quickly determining the right resources that your stakeholders need delivered as they need them.
• Ability to manage multiple relationships and projects in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. This requires a high level of documentation, project management, and follow-through.
• Comfort with virtual engagement tools and platforms (Zoom, Google Workspace, Salesforce, etc.) and willingness to have a mostly sedentary work-life (when not at in-person meetings or events) that includes hours of virtual calls and online collaborations each day.
• Passion for and generalist knowledge in climate action, sustainability, and building equitable public sector solutions. An advanced degree in policy, sustainability or environmental science, public administration, or other relevant fields is an asset.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel (1 to 4 times per year) for staff retreats, conferences, or member convenings.