Job Description
Job Description
Position Overview:
The Associate Program Director, Environment and Land Use manages a team and portfolio of programs and individual projects (primarily grant-funded projects) that support county leaders in making strategic decisions about land use, with particular attention to disaster resilience and energy production. Key responsibilities include budget oversight, team leadership, people management and coaching, program design and evaluation, writing and editing and fundraising through networking and proposal development. In the near term, this role will focus on launching and developing NACo programming and networks on energy siting. Base Salary $110,000 annually.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee multiple programs and initiatives in the Environment and Land Use portfolio, including managing workflow, deliverable tracking, outcomes documentation, partner(s) relationships, budgets and contracts and the strategic interrelation of programs and program deliverables
- Ensure the successful launch and development of NACo’s energy programming by managing the timely delivery and quality of deliverables for project activities, supervising project staff, and curating extant and writing and editing original materials for the organization’s clean energy resource hub
- Work closely with federal partners to facilitate relationships between county leaders and military officials to facilitate intergovernmental land use planning and maximize county awareness of disaster mitigation programs and practices
- Serve as liaison to NACo’s Resilient Counties Innovation Council, working closely with Council leadership to design and execute a learning agenda that supports member goals and interests
- Represent NACo to key external constituencies related to area of expertise and responsibilities of the position; this includes acting as NACo’s representative to the Digital Coast Partnership, a national coalition of member organizations working with NOAA Office for Coastal Management to address coastal issues
- Lead and/or supervise the design and execution of effective virtual and in-person events (webinars, conference workshops, multi-day events) for county leaders
- Manage program reporting and budget activities, including forecasting, monitoring and ensuring adherence to program work plans; work well across teams and departments to ensure timely completion of financial and narrative reports to program funders
- Partner with the Chief Program Officer to develop and monitor metrics to understand program effectiveness and use that information to design and redesign program activities
- Partner with the Chief Program Officer to identify funding opportunities and develop proposals for future projects related to land use with particular attention to disaster mitigation and recovery, environmental protection, energy production and storage
- Maintain productive ongoing relationships with NACo members, foundation and corporate funders, federal partners and other NACo departments
- Hire and oversee consultant contractors, as needed
- Supervise up to three (3) full-time program staff
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Program Officer and Managing Director, County Practices and Innovations
Qualifications, Preferred Competencies and Skills:
- Minimum 8 years’ experience in land use, planning and zoning or environment-related field. Highly qualified candidates will have at least 2 years of people management experience and at least 6 years of program or project management experience in nonprofit, consultancy, academia, public policy, government or foundation sector.
- Experience working with or for local government a plus but not required
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience or relevant certification a plus but not required
- Strong understanding of and/or experience in key areas of land use, zoning and planning and/or energy production and storage with emphasis on renewable energy systems
- Strong project management, budget management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects without compromising quality or timely delivery
- Demonstrated successful grant writing and/or management experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including in public speaking and conducting formal meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience supervising staff or teams in support of professional development, growth and successful completion of tasks
- Brings collaboration, innovative ideas and creativity to the position and work products; works well as part of a team and with external partners
- Ability to work well in a political environment while maintaining non-partisan perspective.
- Ability to work well with external partners, including communities and stakeholders from ideologically, racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds
Why Join NACo:
- Opportunity to lead impactful, mission-oriented public affairs efforts at a national level.
- Work alongside a dedicated team committed to helping county government officials in the pursuit of excellence in public service, ultimately helping people and places to thrive.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Location:
This position is based in Washington, D.C., with opportunities for travel to conferences, meetings, and partner engagements. The Association currently offers hybrid workplace options, based on job function and performance, with an emphasis on leadership and teammate engagement and performance.