Coordinator, Sustainability

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. Components of the new guest experience will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.
How You’ll Contribute
The Sustainability Coordinator will support the National Geographic Society’s efforts to minimize negative environmental and social impacts from our building operations, services and products.
The Sustainability Coordinator will report to the Sustainability Director and assist with all efforts to reduce National Geographic’s carbon footprint, produce zero waste, protect resources, and engage National Geographic employees in these efforts, including organizing volunteer Green Team activities.
Necessary organizational changes will be approached proactively with a positive attitude and stakeholders will be engaged with respect for their organizational priorities.
We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. We believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

 

Green Team and Engagement Coordination - Support staff engagement by coordinating volunteer Green Team activities and events under the direction of the Senior Director of Sustainability.

• Draft and distribute regular communications to interested staff through Slack and email to promote Green Team initiatives. (20%)

• Schedule and plan logistics for key engagement activities and programs, such as Earth Day, Bike to Work Day, and the Courtyard Green Market (in-person & virtual). (15%)

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Sustainability, support the Society’s re-use and recycling activities to contribute to our Zero Waste goal. (15%):

• Observe and report on inefficiencies in waste management processes, equipment, or communication to the Sustainability team.

• Relay suggestions from custodial staff and other departments to the Sustainability team regarding alternative supplies or processes that could reduce waste.

• Assist the Facilities team in implementing waste management programs that prioritize reuse, recycling, and composting to minimize landfill waste.

Sustainability Program and Policy Support - Under the guidance of the Sustainability Director, the Coordinator will support the development and execution of the Society’s sustainability programs and communications. Key responsibilities include:

Communications and Engagement Support. (25%)

• Assist in developing and distributing sustainability communications for staff, tenants, and visitors by helping to draft content for signage, Slack, and emails.

• Provide logistical support for education and engagement events, such as workshops and feedback sessions, by scheduling, preparing materials, and gathering staff suggestions for green initiatives.

Program and Research Support. (20%)

• Contribute to the Society’s carbon reduction program by gathering data and tracking progress on existing initiatives under the Director's supervision.

• Conduct research on sustainability best practices as assigned by the Sustainability Director to support the development of new organizational goals and strategies.

Policy Administration. (5%)

• Assist in maintaining sustainability-related policies and guidelines by tracking version changes, formatting documents, and supporting the review process led by department leadership.

What You’ll Bring 

Education Required

High school or GED equivalent is the minimum education required. Undergraduate or graduate studies in Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility or related fields can be useful.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience 

2+ years of general work experience. Applicants should have some experience with sustainability practices – e.g. helping reduce energy use or waste creation, getting used materials re-used or recycled, collecting and evaluating data, or working on volunteer activities. Volunteer sustainability work or internships in academic and business settings will be considered. This position can be an opportunity for an energetic and enthusiastic novice to get professional, practical experience and education in the application of sustainability theories and standards.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Proficiency with Mac or PC presentation tools – such as Word, Excel, Keynote or PowerPoint

• Systems thinking

• Strategic planning and project management 

• Ability to collect and audit data accurately, paying attention to detail

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work independently, keeping track of multiple tasks

• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with a diverse group of professionals 

• Creative writing skills 

• Motivational or change management skills

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The hourly range for this position is $25.10 - $26.45.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what’s required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.