The American Wood Council is looking for a dynamic and versatile engineer, architect, or code official who is passionate about a sustainable, and resilient built environment. Our experts work every day to ensure that the buildings in which we live and work are safe. To achieve this, AWC contributes to the development of sound building codes, standards, and regulations to demonstrate that wood products can safely and efficiently meet or exceed the minimum requirements for use.

Innovations in wood products manufacturing have positioned mass timber to be the material of choice for taller buildings – that will also connect occupants to nature, creating more enjoyable spaces. The advancement of building codes, standards, and industry guidelines requires continuous improvement to address the high level of building safety inherent in modern building codes. The next decade will present unparalleled opportunity to be part of the growing excitement around this unprecedented change. Success will require an educated and informed community of code officials and design professionals, to which you will contribute.

The ideal candidate will have the determination to pursue the development, adoption, and implementation of building codes at all levels of government. Through your demeanor, character, and professional conduct you will be respected and trusted by stakeholders in the various code development communities. You will have the opportunity to contribute to a global effort to advance the use of wood - the most preferred renewable and sustainable building material. We are committed to not only what is permissible using wood, but also to what is possible using wood.

Location:

The selected individual will work primarily from a remote home office and should live in one of these states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C.

Working at AWC:

The American Wood Council (AWC) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and different perspectives to reach our goals and we support work/life balance. We offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year, plus holidays
• 100%-85% paid CareFirst medical plans for employees (multiple options)
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution
• Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the manufacturers of traditional and engineered wood products in the development of appropriate provisions in codes, standards, and other national, state, and local regulations, including state legislation, that reflect sound public policy and result in safe, sustainable, and resilient buildings.
• Ensure the continued product acceptance by providing the latest technical information on wood design and construction, including credible performance data, to state, local, regional, and national code-developing bodies, regulatory officials and agencies, legislators and legislative committees, designers, builders, and other user groups.
• Provide expert technical assistance to stakeholders for opposing proposed and existing restrictions in building codes, standards, and other national, state, and local regulations, including state legislation, which unduly restrict the use of wood in construction.
• Support stakeholders and allied groups on initiatives related to wood construction, including green building, energy conservation, fire safety, materials-related health matters, and structural safety.
• Perform in-person and virtual education and outreach with code official associations within the assigned region in support of the code requirements that affect wood products.
• Manage own schedule, arrange work travel, set up logistics and facilitate meetings

Qualifications/Skills/Knowledge:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, structural, or fire protection engineering, architecture, or related field (post-graduate preferred)
• Holds the ICC Certified Building Official designation
• Minimum 10 years of experience in code administration or enforcement, preferably with a governmental jurisdiction
• Extensive experience in the development, adoption and enforcement of model building, fire, energy, or green construction codes
• Ability to network and build working relationships with code officials, architects, engineers, and builders
• Excellent public speaking skills and a demonstrated ability to testify at public hearings in support of industry initiatives
• Must be available for domestic travel of approximately 30% (including local travel and overnight trips)

Desired:

• Registration as a professional architect or engineer
• History of involvement with state and regional chapters of the International Code Council
• Experience with conflict resolution and experience developing alternative methods to demonstrate code compliance
• Excellent professional and technical writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both individually and as part of a team

Equal Employment Opportunity:

At AWC, we value diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invite all talented individuals to apply to be part our team and support our mission. In accordance with Federal law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.