Sustainability/LEED Specialist - Junior

Your Role

At Gensler, we believe design has the power to create a better world. Through the Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) and our Climate Action & Sustainability practice, we partner with clients and project teams to advance decarbonization, resilience, wellness, and high-performance design. Gensler is committed to helping clients achieve ambitious sustainability goals and a net-zero future through measurable, design-driven solutions.

As a Junior Sustainability / LEED Specialist, you will support project teams in integrating sustainability strategies throughout the design and construction process, with a primary focus on assisting with LEED certification efforts. This role combines sustainability coordination, certification support, materials evaluation, research, and collaboration with multidisciplinary design teams. You will work closely with sustainability leaders, architects, interior designers, engineers, and consultants to help deliver high-performance, low-carbon projects across multiple practice areas.

This position is ideal for an early-career professional with direct, hands-on LEED project experience who is comfortable managing assigned LEED certification tasks with minimal supervision while working collaboratively within project teams. The successful candidate will contribute to certification workflows, coordinate documentation efforts, support project teams in meeting LEED requirements, and effectively balance multiple deadlines. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities while seeking guidance and collaborating with senior sustainability staff and project teams as needed.

What You Will Do

• Support LEED certification processes from project kickoff through certification submission, including credit tracking, documentation review, consultant coordination, and communication with certification bodies.
• Independently manage assigned LEED certification activities with minimal supervision while maintaining project schedules and certification milestones.
• Support project teams in understanding and implementing LEED requirements, proactively identifying documentation gaps, certification risks, and opportunities to improve project outcomes.
• Collaborate with sustainability leaders and project teams to integrate sustainability, wellness, and resilience strategies into architecture and interior design projects.
• Assist with sustainability goal setting, design reviews, and project performance evaluations.
• Review construction documents, specifications, product data, material submittals, and shop drawings to assess compliance with sustainability goals and certification requirements.
• Conduct research on sustainable materials, products, technologies, and industry best practices.
• Assist with embodied carbon assessments and sustainability analyses to inform design decisions.
• Support the evaluation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Declare labels, and other sustainability documentation.
• Collaborate with project teams to identify opportunities for improved environmental performance and carbon reduction.
• Prepare sustainability reports, presentations, graphics, and client-facing materials.
• Assist with post-occupancy performance reviews and lessons-learned initiatives.
• Contribute to internal sustainability education, research, and knowledge-sharing efforts.
• Stay informed on evolving sustainability standards, building codes, certifications, and industry trends.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, Environmental Design, Sustainability, Building Science, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of direct experience supporting LEED certification projects, including credit management, documentation review, consultant coordination, and certification submissions.
• Ability to independently manage assigned LEED certification tasks, prioritize multiple deadlines, and proactively address certification-related issues with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams while supporting senior sustainability staff and project leadership.
• Comfortable interpreting LEED requirements and assisting project teams in meeting certification goals while escalating complex issues as appropriate.
• LEED Green Associate required; LEED AP preferred or actively pursuing accreditation.
• Design background with a strong understanding of architectural and interior design processes.
• Ability to read, interpret, and review construction documents, drawing sets, project manuals, specifications, and material submittals.
• Familiarity with building materials, construction assemblies, and product sustainability attributes.
• Working knowledge of sustainable building systems, passive design principles, and high-performance building strategies.
• Familiarity with green building certification systems such as WELL, Fitwel, Living Building Challenge, or ILFI programs is a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and contribute as part of a team-oriented project environment.
• Passion for sustainability, climate action, and creating positive environmental impact through design.

**The base salary range will be estimated between $74,000-$85,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to "Well-being Awareness Week," our offices reflect our people's diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler's approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email talentacquisition@gensler.com.