Communities Program Associate

Program/Role: Communities Program Associate on the Metro CERT Team

Location: Minneapolis Office: 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 

Reports to: Communities Metro CERT Director 

Type of Position: Full time, hourly position (one-year position contingent on funding)

Compensation: Salary range: $52K-$62K, commensurate with experience.   Benefits include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life,  vision, dental,  FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development  allowance, and a communication stipend.

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 70 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative:

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests.

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.

This Position 

GPI’s Communities Program goal is to ensure that equitable and inclusive action on clean energy, resilience, and climate solutions is accelerated and becomes the norm for the communities across our footprint. This position would be jointly focused on the Statewide Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) & Metro CERT region workplans. CERTs connects individuals, organizations and their communities with the resources they need to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and clean energy projects, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and beneficial electrification. The statewide CERTs program is run by a partnership of four organizations, of which GPI is one. More information about CERTs (including maps of the regions) can be found at https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/about.
 

The work is community-based and includes work to reduce the energy burden of Minnesota families, especially historically marginalized communities, supporting equitable access to solar energy, facilitating community input processes, developing and implementing community based resources and presentations to support community-based clean energy projects, communicating on clean energy incentives to communities, and providing technical assistance and capacity to local entities to develop clean energy projects including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification. 

To further support our audacious mission and vision, GPI is filling an open entry-level Program Associate position. The Communities Program Associate must be passionate about climate, energy, and community-scale action and enjoy working in an ever-changing environment that is mission-driven and consensus-oriented. 

The ideal candidate will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities, perform a wide variety of tasks, utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of work, and possess the ability to identify and address urgent and important needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 

Hours may be flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day, occasional nights and weekends may be required. Some work can be remote, but this position will require some time in GPI’s Minneapolis office. 

Responsibilities: 

The Communities Program Associate works jointly with GPI’s Statewide CERTs Co-Director, statewide CERTs staff, and the Metro CERT Regional Coordinator on their respective initiatives and programmatic priorities.

(50%) Statewide CERTs Support:

(25%) CERTs Co-Director Administrative Support

• Administrative support for statewide initiatives, events and meetings, and fundraising and contracting with partners for statewide efforts.

(25%) Community Energy Ambassadors Program Support

• Including but not limited to program communications and administrative tasks, Ambassador event planning, outreach (tabling, presentations, program recruitment, etc.), and cohort development & support.

(50%) Metro CERT Support:

• Administrative support for Metro CERT regional initiatives and programmatic priorities, events and meetings, communications and storytelling, and fundraising.

Responsibilities for each include:

Meeting and Events

• Coordinate meetings with internal and external partners, including scheduling, agenda development (in coordination with program leads), taking and organizing meetings notes, and ensuring follow-ups are carried through including meeting evaluations. 
• Support planning and execution of virtual or in-person events in the Metro Region, with an emphasis on advancing clean energy opportunities in underserved communities and other programmatic priorities, which can include registration logistics, catering, note taking, presenting, facilitation, and event materials (signage, handouts, etc.).
• Conduct additional outreach as needed to ensure diverse and inclusive participation by communities and stakeholders. 

Program Assistance 

• Assist with administrative tasks related to grants and other funding sources. This includes supporting both proposal development and grant reporting. Support development of contracts with external partners as needed. 
• Coordinate with internal staff and external project partners to ensure timelines, deliverables, milestones, and goals of the projects are met.
• Lead/support the development of tools and resources for external stakeholders in coordination with project partners and staff, including production of documents and presentations, laying out reports, developing PowerPoints or other presentation materials. 
• Provide research and analytic support to CERTs. This can include data collection, analysis and summarizing, phone or in-person interviews, web research, and utilizing databases, spreadsheets, geographic information systems, etc.
• Compile research results in useful forms. In some cases, this will be case studies or blogs, short written reports, and in others, spreadsheets or databases. 
• Work with local governments, Native nation governments, schools, utilities, and underserved/historically marginalized communities to understand clean energy needs and priorities and to advance clean energy efforts in their facilities and communities. 
• Support Meto CERT Seed Grant recipients by connecting regularly and providing additional assistance as needed. 
• Support CERTs storytelling work by writing blogs and short stories about clean energy projects in the Metro CERT region. This may include interviews, copy editing, and coordinating with different teams within CERTs and GPI.

Other programmatic assistance: As requested by the Statewide CERTs Co-Directors, Community Energy Ambassador Coordinator, Metro CERT Regional Coordinator, CERTs Communications and Engagement Manager, or Vice President of Communities.

Qualifications: 

1. Education and Experience: 1-3 years of paid or volunteer experience in working with local governments, community organizations, underserved communities sustainability, climate, renewable energy, transportation. A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, sustainability, energy, or environmental justice is strongly desired. Experience with either local governments, community-based organizations, or underserved communities in sustainability, clean energy or climate is a plus. Fluency in common Twin Cities languages other than English is a plus. 
2. Meeting Planning: experience coordinating virtual and in-person meetings or events is required.
3. Technical Skills: Competency in Google and Microsoft software (including PowerPoint, spreadsheets, Zoom, and Teams) is required. Experience with design or desktop publishing tools such as InDesign, Illustrator, Canva or other design tools is preferred. Experience with GIS, R, and other data analysis tools is also a plus. 
4. Project Coordination: A successful candidate is detail-oriented, has excellent time and deadline management, can juggle multiple tasks, and can work independently. 
5. Research and Writing: Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
6. People Skills: A team player with the ability to work with and for many kinds of people and able to “manage up” to ensure that you are effective in your role.
7. Values: Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute and CERTs, passionate about equitably solving the climate challenge and community-determined clean energy action.

EQUIPMENT USED: 

This position involves the use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: 

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset. May require lifting of boxes up to 50 pounds on occasion. Performing event duties in varying weather conditions unless deemed unsafe.

HOW TO APPLY:

Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.