Program Manager

People's Solar Energy Fund; United States; Remote; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ein innovatives Unternehmen sucht einen Technical Assistance Program Manager, der eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Unterstützung von Gemeinschaften in der Entwicklung von Solarprojekten spielt. In dieser spannenden Position arbeiten Sie eng mit verschiedenen Organisationen zusammen, um technische Unterstützung zu bieten und die Kapazität für die Umsetzung von Solarprojekten zu stärken. Diese Rolle bietet die Möglichkeit, an der Spitze der Energiedemokratie zu stehen und einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf unterrepräsentierte Gemeinschaften zu haben. Wenn Sie leidenschaftlich an erneuerbaren Energien interessiert sind und eine positive Veränderung bewirken möchten, ist dies die perfekte Gelegenheit für Sie.

Benefits

Medizinische Versicherung

Zahnversicherung

Sehversicherung

Generöse bezahlte Freizeit

Rentenpläne mit Arbeitgeberbeiträgen

Möglichkeiten zur beruflichen Weiterentwicklung

Qualifications

• Mindestens 5 Jahre Erfahrung in der Entwicklung von erneuerbaren Energieprojekten.
• Erfahrung mit gemeinschaftsbasierten oder genossenschaftlichen Eigentumsmodellen.

Responsibilities

• Bereitstellung strategischer technischer Unterstützung für Mitglieder.
• Entwicklung und Verwaltung des technischen Unterstützungsprogramms.

Skills

Kommunikationsfähigkeiten

Projektmanagement

Technische Unterstützung

Finanzierung von Solarprojekten

Engagement für soziale Gerechtigkeit

Education

Bachelor in Ingenieurwesen

Master in Umweltwissenschaften

Tools

Finanzierungsmodelle

Online-Lernplattformen

Job description

Compensation: $85,000-$100,000 full-time annual (commensurate with experience)

Location: Remote (U.S. based, with occasional travel for PSEF Staff and Member events)

Start Date: May 2025

Reports: PSEF’s Executive Director

ABOUT PSEF

The People’s Solar Energy Fund is an innovative member-organized nonprofit working to advance energy democracy by supporting the development and scaling of community-led and community-owned clean energy projects. Primarily focused on supporting frontline low-income, Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color (BIPOC) throughout the development process, PSEF was founded in 2018 to serve as a resource commons where community-based solar developers can access project capital, technical assistance and shared services and be part of a learning community of project developers. See About PSEF for more info on our history and current members.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Technical Assistance Program Manager is a new role and will play a critical role in supporting PSEF members as they build capacity, design, develop, finance and implement community-owned solar projects in their communities. The role will manage all technical assistance efforts, working closely with PSEF Member organizations to both coordinate and provide technical project development support and technical capacity building resources to support successful project development.

On an average day, you will work closely with nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, tribal entities/utilities and community groups, coordinating with TA consultants and providing tailored technical assistance and resources to navigate the solar development process. This includes supporting feasibility studies, financial modeling, project design, regulatory compliance, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate for this position will not only be experienced in solar energy project development and community-based projects, but also a good facilitator and connector of stakeholders. Candidates should possess good people skills and demonstrated competence in engaging comfortably with diverse constituencies, and a commitment to supporting community-led solutions led by BIPOC and underinvested communities.

Responsibilities

Technical Assistance and Support

• Provide creative, thorough, and strategic technical assistance to assist members in building capacity and developing community-owned solar projects.
• Design innovative business models tailored to community-owned solar projects, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
• Provide guidance on the technical aspects of community-owned solar projects, including site selection, design, interconnection processes, feasibility studies, financing and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate technical project development design support with consultants and contractors.

Program Development, Management and Evaluation

• Assist in the design and manage the organization’s technical assistance program, ensuring effective delivery of services to member organizations.
• Develop and maintain resources, tools, and guides to support community-led solar project development. Implement and manage online, asynchronous learning programs to ramp up member capabilities.
• Develop, coordinate and/or lead (alongside others) training programs, workshops and other resources for members to build their project development capacity.
• Develop project structures and workflows to streamline implementation and maximize project efficiency.
• Lead the process for establishing the effectiveness of the technical assistance program and offerings, including assessing the impact of the offerings for PSEF communities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Outreach

• Act as the primary point of contact for member organizations seeking technical support for solar projects.
• Engage and organize stakeholders for solar projects, ensuring effective project management and community involvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a network of community organizations, renewable energy developers, and other key stakeholders.
• Assist member organizations in engaging local communities and ensuring inclusive participation in the planning and ownership of solar projects.

Financing and Policy Guidance

• Support the development of financial models and projections to guide decision-making and secure funding for solar projects.
• Develop policies and incentives to support the adoption and implementation of solar energy initiatives.
• Stay up-to-date with relevant policy, regulatory, and incentive programs that impact community solar development.
• Collaborate with other PSEF team members to assist member organizations in accessing and applying for funding opportunities to support solar projects.

Collaboration and Partnership Building

• Facilitate peer support and learning initiatives among members to enhance knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Collaborate with legal, technical, and policy experts to provide comprehensive assistance for community solar project development.

Compliance & Reporting

• Assist in ensuring that TA program requirements are met (in the case of PSEF Federal award requirements) and that PSEF member projects meet various regulatory requirements.
• Support the development of reports pertaining to the PSEF TA Program, including reporting on impact to funders, investors, members and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field (a relevant Master’s degree is beneficial, but not required).

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in renewable energy project development, technical assistance, or program management.
• Experience with community-based or cooperative ownership models, preferably in solar or other clean energy sectors.
• Strong candidates will also bring experience with some combination of solar financing, system design, project structuring and implementation, regulatory requirements and incentives in various states.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills, with experience in facilitating technical capacity building programs.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with attention to detail and a results-oriented mindset.
• Demonstrated grounding in racial, climate and/or economic justice and practices of cooperative development, active listening, participatory process and empowerment of constituencies.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including across PSEF Member organizations, financial institutions and government agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical project development and finance – ideally re energy and solar.
• Familiarity with community-owned solar models.
• Familiarity with or excitement about environmental justice work, energy democracy, and community-led development principles required; relevant work experience preferred.
• Readiness to engage in the knowledge, understanding and ability to work under a Just Transition framework, Restorative Justice lens required; relevant work or volunteer experience preferred.

Additional Info

PSEF offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement savings plans with employer contributions, and opportunities for professional growth.

Equal Opportunity / Diversity

PSEF is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an open, inclusive and affirming work environment that reflects the rich diversity of the communities our members serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note that while this position is remote, applicants must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States.

PSEF is committed to an accessible workplace. If you need reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please let us know at [e-mail].