Solar for All Project Director

August 2024

 

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a leading bipartisan organization focused on advancing the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies to benefit all, seeks a Project Director to advance the organization’s Solar for All initiative. Working with states from across the country, this position will play a key role in the successful rollout of state solar programs while focusing on the equitable access of solar benefits. CESA offers remote work, flextime, generous benefits, and an exciting opportunity to work with a motivated dynamic team to bring about clean energy transformation at the state and national levels.

SUMMARY

The Solar for All Project Director will (a) support states and other Solar for All awardees as they design and deploy programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, and mobilize financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy, (b) produce research and analysis useful to Solar for All awardees, and (b) coordinate support activities with other nonprofits and federal agencies.

Solar for All is a $7 billion funding program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a key program of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This federal funding will be used by states and nonprofit entities to create new or expand existing low-income solar programs across the country. CESA works with Solar for All awardees, including states and nonprofits, to support the deployment of the program by offering technical assistance, convenings (working groups, office hours, and learning opportunities), and information. Read more about Solar for All here, and read more about CESA’s work to support awardees here.

The Solar for All Project Director will lead several key pieces of CESA’s Solar for All project and move them to completion independently, as well as support all Solar for All activities within the organization. The Project Director will report to the Senior Project Director for Solar and Offshore Wind.

ABOUT CESA

The Clean Energy States Alliance is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy. CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country. Learn more about CESA here.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key activities and responsibilities include the following. Other tasks may be assigned as needed.

Project Management

• Work with the Senior Project Director to support CESA’s work on GGRF implementation, especially Solar for All, by states and CESA members, and organize workstreams related to Solar for All
• Coordinate with Solar for All awardees, federal agencies—including EPA, the Department of Energy, and the US Treasury—funders, developers, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to facilitate the efficient and effective use of Solar for All resources by states
• Support administrative processes such as the development of consultant contracts and the management of budgets
• Manage the work of consultants, interns, and other project participants
• Provide input and feedback on internal process improvements

Research and Analysis

• Research and write informational resources for states, such as explainers, white papers, and analyses pertaining to solar development and financing, tax credit optimization strategies for state programs (including direct pay, transferability, and investment tax credit adders), compliance with federal rules and regulations for Solar for All awardees, IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding programs, and stacking of IRA and BIL funding opportunities for solar and solar+storage
• Provide technical assistance to Solar for All awardees, including developing or reviewing program models, requests for proposals, template agreements, term sheets, communication material, web resources, outreach material, and other relevant material as requested by states, and coordinate with other technical assistance providers to build on each other’s resources and avoid duplicative work
• Lead, host, and participate in CESA Solar for All office hours to learn about issues of importance to states, and provide states with answers in written or spoken format and working groups, as needed. Topics will be broad, e.g., EPA funds drawdown, solar deployment models, Justice40, reporting frameworks, procurement and subaward processes, state revolving funds.
• Organize training sessions on tools developed by national labs that can assist in the design and development of Solar for All programs
• Organize and staff state meetings and working groups
• Develop models that enable Solar for All awardees to leverage the other two tracks of GGRF, the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and coordinate with NCIF and CCIA awardees.

Communications and Outreach

• Communicate with Solar for All awardees to share resources and ensure they are supported in their design and deployment efforts
• Organize presentations and webinars to inform states about topics relevant to Solar for All in coordination with the Department of Energy, EPA, and national labs
• Develop and cultivate relationships with state leaders, federal agencies, national labs, and nonprofits
• Participate in the organization of national summits/workshops organized by CESA, and develop GGRF/Solar for All events
• Represent the views of states with federal agencies, and produce staff comments to inform regulatory processes led by the federal government

Development

• Assist in identifying and cultivating funding prospects and/or funding partners
• Contribute to the preparation of proposals and application materials for funding opportunities, as well as reporting needed for existing funded activities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND KEYS TO SUCCESS

Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? CESA values lived experience and is serious about embracing diversity.

• Five years of experience in clean energy policy, clean energy development, or clean energy finance
• Experience reading, analyzing, summarizing, critically evaluating, and writing about solar and/or clean energy policy
• This position requires learning about new topics based on state needs, and therefore requires a proactive approach to deep learning, and curiosity in approaching new subject matter
• Excellent writer, stellar attention to detail, strong communication and interpersonal skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Training in environmental policy, environmental management, business administration, or law
• Experience with low-income solar projects, programs, or policy
• Experience with federal funding
• Experience working with state and federal governments
• Experience working with a remote and geographically distributed team that primarily communicates through virtual interactions

THIS IS FOR YOU IF:

• You are passionate about energy justice, the clean energy transition, and believe in the power of people to change the world for the better
• You are an excellent writer, researcher, and communicator
• You are comfortable with the details and understand the importance of providing accurate information to state officials
• You are proactive and interested in learning and experimentation
• You can pick up new skills and content knowledge quickly and are interested in doing so
• You can work independently and handle project management efficiently
• You are comfortable working in a small team within a remote work environment, and, like us, believe that no task is too small or too big for you
• You are confident and respectful in your interaction with stakeholders, including staff at all levels, state leaders, community-based organizations, nonprofit leaders, federal agencies, and external experts
• You follow through and adjust your course of action based on feedback
• You love connecting the dots

AVAILABILITY

This is a full-time, exempt position, with responsibilities commencing immediately upon selection of the most qualified candidate.

LOCATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

CESA employees can choose to work remotely or in the Montpelier, VT office, or a combination of remote and in-office work. We offer a flexible workplace environment with a casual dress code. CESA is committed to ensuring employees have the tools they need to perform their job duties whether working remotely or in the office and can make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Anticipated starting salary is $70,000 - $76,000, depending upon prior experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance with 10% employee cost contribution; life insurance; outstanding matching of retirement plan contributions; starting four-weeks paid time off; and paid sick days, parental leave, and holidays.

TRAVEL

Occasional domestic travel will be required. Business travel typically lasts from two to three days with some weekend travel necessary.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample (a document of at least two pages) via email to careers@cleanegroup.org. For the email’s subject line, enter “Project Director, Solar for All.” Review of applications will begin on August 19, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

CESA is an equal opportunity employer. CESA does not discriminate in hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, ancestry, non-job-related disability, or status as a veteran. CESA is committed to learning more about and applying principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our work.