Sustainability Associate

Position: Sustainability Associate

Reports to: Senior Director of Sustainability

Office Location: Rockville, Maryland

Position Type: Full-time, exempt

Please double check you have the right level of experience and qualifications by reading the full overview of this opportunity below.

The Sustainability Associate is an integral member of the Sustainability Department and partners with teams across the organization to advance The Tower Companies' sustainability, building performance, and healthy building goals. The Tower Team strives to be a leader in health and environmental responsibility in the real estate industry by developing and managing high-performance properties and serving as a regional leader by sharing our innovative practices and experiences.

The Sustainability Associate will report to and work closely with the Senior Director of Sustainability. The successful candidate will collaborate with departments throughout the organization, including engineering, property management, construction, and accounting teams. This work spans project management, data gathering in support of industry-leading commitments, idea generation and due diligence, employee and tenant engagement, certification assessment and management, and thought leadership. Successful candidates are confident and collaborative—comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide project management support, including engagement with team members throughout the organization for new and ongoing sustainability-related activities across the portfolio, such as energy, renewables, water, waste, IAQ, health, and materials.
• Manage aspects of new and existing benchmarking and third-party certification efforts such as LEED, ULI Greenprint, Fitwel, UL Verified Healthy Building Mark, ENERGY STAR, and other sustainability and healthy building programs.
• Gather data to prepare the annual greenhouse gas inventory and support the verification process.
• Update data inputs to support annual ENERGY STAR certifications, working with vendors and property management teams.
• Review and support carbon offsets and renewable energy credit purchases.
• Identify, track, and manage the documentation process for green building-related rebates and tax incentives.
• Assist with budget creation and management, vendor contracts, and invoices.
• Help prepare case studies and presentations and, as appropriate, represent the Company at industry events.
• Support Tower's compliance efforts with Building Energy Performance Standards regulatory frameworks in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
• Develop programming and outreach materials to engage and communicate with Company employees, building tenants, and residents to encourage sustainable practices.
• Assist Company employees with questions related to sustainability best practices.
• Research emerging technology offerings and prepare associated financial analyses to support ongoing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas reduction efforts and healthy building goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, construction, sustainability, or a related field; relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a listed degree.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of work experience; experience in real estate, energy services, or sustainability strongly preferred.
• LEED Green Associate, LEED AP, or Fitwel Ambassador credential preferred.
• Experience benchmarking GHG emissions using industry frameworks
• Ability to translate technical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, property management, and leadership audiences.
• Understanding of sustainability metrics and tracking methodology across topic areas such as climate, energy, water, waste, and transportation
• Experience successfully managing projects with internal and external team members
• Familiarity with LEED and other sustainability and healthy building certifications and best practices for new and existing buildings
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint – with high level of aptitude working in Excel
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident public speaker
• Outstanding attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Ability to prioritize projects to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, team environment
• Eager learner and self-starter, interested in staying on the cutting edge of sustainability and healthy building topics and programs
• Ability to be flexible, proactive, and highly motivated with strong organizational skills

Candidates under consideration for hire must submit to, and pass, a background check and drug screening according to The Tower Companies' hiring standards.

The Tower Companies and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and offer a collaborative and exciting work environment, competitive salary and excellent benefits, which include medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as a 401(k) plan.

If you're interested in this position and working for The Tower Companies, please apply via our candidate portal found within our careers page.

No phone calls please.

About The Tower Companies

For three generations, the family-owned Tower Companies has maintained a commitment to responsible development and envisions a world where buildings inspire and enrich the lives of their occupants and create positive social change. The Tower Companies manages over 3 million square feet in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, consisting of office buildings, apartment buildings, and regional shopping centers. The Tower Companies built Blair Towns, the first LEED-certified residential community in the country, and The Pearl, the world's first Fitwel-certified multifamily building. xhyhwjd The Tower Companies has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and energy independence by numerous national organizations and federal agencies, including the U.S. Green Building Council, the Urban Land Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.