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Sustainable Development Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Sustainability Fellow

Sweet Briar, VA · On-site

$36K - $40K/yr

Assisting in benchmarking and other aspects of campus sustainability plan development * Assist as needed in the campus greenhouse, including growing, direct and wholesale produce marketing and ...

Development Manager

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

... just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not ... Purpose The Development Manager is an experienced fundraising professional who supports the Office ...

Islamic Relief USA is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency relief and sustainable development solutions to communities in need around the globe. With a mission to ...

Development Manager

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site

$60K - $76K/yr

... just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not ... Purpose The Development Manager is an experienced fundraising professional who supports the Office ...

Showing results 41-60

Sustainable Development information

See Virginia salary details

$32.7K

$76.8K

$131.9K

How much do sustainable development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for sustainable development in Virginia is $76,774.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $89,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is a framework for meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being to create a healthy and equitable society. Sustainable development encompasses practices and policies that promote responsible resource use, reduce environmental impact, and ensure long-term prosperity for communities. The concept is central to global efforts to address challenges such as poverty, climate change, and resource scarcity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in sustainable development, and why are they important?

To excel in Sustainable Development, you need expertise in environmental science, project management, and policy analysis, often supported by a relevant degree such as environmental studies or urban planning. Familiarity with tools like GIS software, sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, LEED), and certification programs is typically required. Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills help professionals drive impactful and collaborative sustainability initiatives. These abilities are vital for successfully integrating sustainable practices into projects and achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic goals.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in sustainable development roles?

Professionals in sustainable development often navigate the complexities of balancing environmental, social, and economic priorities, which can sometimes be in conflict. Key challenges include securing stakeholder buy-in, managing limited resources, and adapting projects to evolving regulations and community needs. Collaboration across diverse teams—such as engineers, policymakers, and community representatives—is essential for success. Additionally, staying current with best practices and emerging technologies in sustainability is crucial for impactful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Sustainable Development vs Environmental Consultant?

AspectSustainable DevelopmentEnvironmental Consultant
Required CredentialsDegree in environmental science, sustainability, or related fields; certifications like LEED or GRIDegree in environmental science, engineering, or related fields; certifications like LEED or EIA
Work EnvironmentPolicy planning, strategic development, cross-sector collaborationSite assessments, environmental impact analysis, compliance consulting
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, NGOs, corporations focusing on sustainability strategiesConsulting firms, engineering companies, government agencies conducting environmental assessments

While both roles focus on environmental issues, Sustainable Development emphasizes creating long-term strategies for sustainability across sectors, whereas Environmental Consultants primarily conduct assessments and provide compliance advice. Sustainable Development professionals often work on policy and planning, while Environmental Consultants focus on technical evaluations and regulatory adherence.

What jobs are there in sustainable development?

Jobs in sustainable development include roles such as sustainability analyst, environmental consultant, renewable energy project manager, and conservation scientist. These positions often require knowledge of environmental policies, data analysis, and project management, and may involve working with organizations to develop eco-friendly solutions and strategies.

What jobs can you get with sustainable development?

Jobs in sustainable development include roles such as sustainability analyst, environmental consultant, renewable energy project manager, and conservation scientist. These positions often require knowledge of environmental policies, data analysis, and project management, and may involve working for government agencies, NGOs, or private companies focused on sustainability initiatives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia?

For Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Sustainable Development jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Sustainable Development jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Sustainable Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Sustainable Development job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,774 per year, or $36.9 per hour.

Senior Associate, Operational Excellence

Palladium International

Arlington, VA • On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Senior Associate, Operational Excellence
About Palladium:
Operating in over 50 countries,Palladium is a globalconsulting and implementation company working in partnership with governments,businesses, investors, and communities to design and deliver solutions thatcreate lasting positive impact. We address some of the world's most complexchallenges across infrastructure, economic growth and natural capital, health,energy, climate and environment, and digital transformation-strengtheningsystems, institutions, and markets to support inclusive and sustainable development.Our more than 2,100 staff worldwide work as trusted advisors across diversecontexts, combining deep technical expertise, implementation techniques, andinnovative technology to deliver locally informed, client-focused solutionsthat help organizations achieve measurable, sustainable impact.
Palladium is part of GISI's global family of companies,which aims to create solutions for the world's most complex challenges. Withannual revenues of $18 billion, GISI's approximately 16,000 employees areengaged in projects across 100 countries worldwide providing construction,program/project management, and engineering consulting services.
This Opportunity:
Palladium is seeking a Senior Associate, OperationalExcellence to play a pivotal role in supporting administrative andexecutive management activities, contribute to the team's pipeline of processimprovement activities, and provide support to business development and projectmanagement teams. The Senior Associate will be a member of the OperationalExcellence team and will provide cross-functional coordination, administrative,and project support to all functions overseen by the Vice President,Operational Excellence, including Process Excellence, Human Resources,Contracts, Legal, and Facilities. The role will support initiatives thatstrengthen operational systems, improve internal ways of working, and helpcorporate functions deliver timely, practical support to business development andproject delivery teams. Through this work, the Senior Associate will gainexposure to a broad range of corporate operations within Palladium andcontribute to initiatives that enable the company to deliver impact across itsglobal portfolio.
Location:
The position is based in Palladium's Arlington, VA officewithin our Americas region. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US as visasponsorship is not available.
Palladium supports a hybrid working model with 3 days in office, 2 days fromhome.
Compensation:
The annual base salary for this position is expected torange from $75,000 to $80,000. Please be advised that a final salary offer willbe based on various factors, including but not limited to your qualifications,education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and Palladium's businessor organizational needs.
Reporting and Supervision:
  • The role will report to the Senior Manager, Process Excellence
  • This role will not have supervisory responsibilities

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Providing day-to-day administrative, coordination, and project support to the Vice President, Operational Excellence, including helping manage priorities, follow-ups, deadlines, meetings, documentation, and requests across Process Excellence, Human Resources, Contracts, and Legal
  • Providing ad hoc executive and administrative assistance, including processing invoices and financial documentation, preparing and organizing files, developing templates, maintaining shared resources, and ensuring information is accurate, accessible, and easy to use
  • Serving as a liaison between all internal stakeholders including but not limited to corporate services, practices, and business development teams to support timely information flow, coordinated decision-making, and alignment with organizational priorities
  • Maintaining team trackers, priority lists, schedules, agendas, meeting notes, and action items to help the VP and supported departments monitor progress, follow through on commitments, and coordinate work across functions
  • Supporting operational activities associated with projects, internal initiatives, proposals, policy updates, process improvements, and corporate function priorities, as requested
  • Assisting with internal and external communications
  • Coordinating team data collection and file organization
  • Identifying, proposing, and helping implement practical improvements to tools, templates, workflows, trackers, and team processes that improve efficiency, consistency, and the user experience for internal clients
  • Providing comprehensive support for meetings, workshops, trainings, and events, including scheduling, agenda development, participant coordination, logistics, materials preparation, budget tracking, vendor coordination, and follow-up documentation, as requested
  • Other duties as required

EssentialCriteria:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people.
  • An interest in supporting the operational systems, corporate functions, and project delivery infrastructure that enable Palladium's international development work.
  • Knowledge of project coordination practices and comfort using collaboration and tracking tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Excel, and other systems used to manage priorities, documentation, action items, and shared resources.
  • The ability to juggle multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Excellent organizational and administrative skills with strong attention to detail and timeliness.
  • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Independence in work, coupled with strong teamwork skills.

DesiredCriteria:
  • Professional working proficiency in multiple languages with priority given to Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic

Applicationswill be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as theposition may close once a suitable candidate is found. Please note that onlyshortlisted contacts may be contacted.
Allqualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardto race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationalorigin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
Shouldyou require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability oryou are a neurodivergent individual, or for any other circumstance, pleaseemail our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we willbe in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding - We defineSafeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect ourpeople, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committedto ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladiumare treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject toan enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and arigorous due diligence process.