State & Local Advocacy Intern (Remote in U.S.)
How You’ll Make An Impact
As an Advocacy & Policy Intern, you will contribute directly to the work of the Advocacy & Policy Team by supporting real projects that impact our organization and mission. You will report to the Project Manager, Policy & Partnerships and collaborate with teams such as Education, Marketing, U.S. Market Transformation & Development, and Innovation & Research.
During this internship, you will focus on the following problem, opportunity, or research question: How can we accelerate awareness, adoption, and implementation of green building policy through informative resources?
This Work Will Support The Development Of Critical Policy Resources Such As Briefs And Case Studies, Assist With State & Local Policymaker Outreach, And Conduct Research And Writing On a Wide Variety Of Policy Topics. You Will Also
By the end of the internship, you are expected to deliver (specific projects subject to change):
Experience (if applicable)
Location: This position is remote in the United States.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the intern’s time zone. Note: Interns are not compensated for holidays or personal time off.
Hiring Process
Compensation: Hourly rate: $20–$25 per hour, based on education and experience. Compensation is determined using an internal intern pay matrix and is not negotiable.
EEO STATEMENT
The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Us
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED , EDGE , PEER , PERFORM , SITES , TRUE Zero Waste , and IREE.
We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.
Our Global Impact
About
At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:
Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.
As an Advocacy & Policy Intern, you will contribute directly to the work of the Advocacy & Policy Team by supporting real projects that impact our organization and mission. You will report to the Project Manager, Policy & Partnerships and collaborate with teams such as Education, Marketing, U.S. Market Transformation & Development, and Innovation & Research.
During this internship, you will focus on the following problem, opportunity, or research question: How can we accelerate awareness, adoption, and implementation of green building policy through informative resources?
This Work Will Support The Development Of Critical Policy Resources Such As Briefs And Case Studies, Assist With State & Local Policymaker Outreach, And Conduct Research And Writing On a Wide Variety Of Policy Topics. You Will Also
- Gain hands-on experience working on meaningful advocacy and policy initiatives
- Develop professional and technical skills in the public policy sector
- Partner with experienced professionals across teams
- Lead a defined project with measurable outcomes
By the end of the internship, you are expected to deliver (specific projects subject to change):
- Portfolio which may include case studies, policy briefs, articles, and/or other resources on state &local green building policies
- Draft of updated local policy playbook
- Research for 2026 Greenbuild policy maker tours and/or other policymaker outreach projects
- Contributions to team projects and partner calls
- Final presentation for the Intern Showcase
- Conduct desk top research on state & local green building policies and summarize findings for internal stakeholders
- Develop critical policy resources such as case studies and policy briefs
- Write articles on a variety of assigned policy topics
- Assist with policymaker research and/or outreach
- Track progress and document work using Microsoft Office tools
- Participate in team meetings, project reviews, and learning sessions
- Maintain accurate records of weekly hours worked
- Prepare and deliver a final project/research presentation
Experience (if applicable)
- Not applicable
- Currently pursuing or recently completed Bachelor’s degree in sustainability or business
- Familiarity with:
- Microsoft Office
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Written and verbal communication
- Organization and time management
- Research and data interpretation
- Collaboration and adaptability
- Exposure to organizational leadership and cross-functional teams
- Networking opportunities in the built environment and sustainability sectors
- Weekly check-ins with internship supervisor for regular feedback and coaching
- Structured onboarding and training
- Participation in the Intern Showcase
- Remote work flexibility
- Resume-building, portfolio-quality work
- Access to O365 and USGBC/GBCI resources
- Mandatory weekly educational sessions with subject matter experts
Location: This position is remote in the United States.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the intern’s time zone. Note: Interns are not compensated for holidays or personal time off.
Hiring Process
- One interview
- Two professional references required for finalists
- Cohort 1: June 1st , 2026 to August 21st, 2026
- Cohort 2: June 22nd, 2026 to September 11th, 2026
Compensation: Hourly rate: $20–$25 per hour, based on education and experience. Compensation is determined using an internal intern pay matrix and is not negotiable.
EEO STATEMENT
The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Us
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED , EDGE , PEER , PERFORM , SITES , TRUE Zero Waste , and IREE.
We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.
Our Global Impact
- Over 120,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
- Millions of square feet of certified healthy, efficient, low-carbon space
- Recognition in 180+ countries for innovation in green building and business practices
About
At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:
- A purpose-driven, inclusive culture
- Opportunities to grow your career and take ownership of meaningful work
- A chance to make a measurable impact on global sustainability efforts
- We’re seeking team members who thrive in collaborative environments, are committed to excellence, and want to build lasting partnerships that drive change in the built environment.
- U.S. Green Building Council Leaders
- Green Business Certification Inc Leaders
Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.