SolarCorps Construction Design Fellow

What is the SolarCorps Fellowship Program…

GRID Alternatives’ SolarCorps Fellowship Program is an opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic community members to join GRID Alternatives for an 11-month paid service term. In this position, you’ll gain valuable experience in the renewable energy and non-profit industries while making significant contributions to communities most impacted by environmental and economic injustice!

Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.

Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.

Why do a Fellowship at GRID Alternatives...

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service-learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.

Tribal Energy Alternatives is an office of GRID Alternatives that works directly with Tribal Nations to install solar to meet their energy sovereignty goals. Join Tribal Energy Alternative’s mission to support Tribal Nations in their pursuit of energy sovereignty through solar energy solutions, hands-on training, and community empowerment, ensuring sustainable development and long-term environmental health. 

Summary of the role:

We are seeking a full-time SolarCorps Construction Design Fellow to engage with the Tribal Energy Alternatives construction team in residential solar PV Design. Fellows will serve directly on Tribal Energy Alternatives’ installation projects, helping complete all aspects of installation including system design, permitting, installation of solar panel systems, approval, and utility interconnection. The fellow will split their training between solar PV design and hands-on solar installation to gain a broad range of skills and experience to qualify for a range of different solar construction careers. The fellow will be traveling during installations (20-40% of time) and working remotely during the design portion of the fellowship (80-60%).

• Support solar PV installation and site visits 
• Perform site assessments, shade analysis, production modeling, etc. 
• Support in producing design plan sets and permit packs, submit permit applications 
• Assist staff with installation package preparation
• Support the interconnection and engineering approval processes 
• Help organize and maintain project information in Salesforce
• Support in material procurement preparation

What you need to bring to this role…

• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and decision-making skills
• Experience with paperwork and forms, data entry, spreadsheets, or similar data organization 
• Comfortable with algebra, trigonometry, and computer work 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Interest in a career in solar or renewable energy
• Lived experience as a tribally enrolled person or experience working directly with tribal communities, tribal councils, or tribal consortia
• Ability to travel for periods of at least 2 weeks (required) and optionally up to 6 weeks at a time (20-40%) 
• Ability to work remotely, independently while not traveling
• Able to work outdoors, on rooftops, and in extreme temperatures.
• Passion for environmental justice, sustainability, affordable housing, the environment, or just generally grounded in making the world a better place. 

It would be great if you also had...

• Clean, valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Experience with remote work or learning remotely
• Knowledge of the unique challenges confronting tribal communities as well as regional/geographic considerations

Benefits and how we take care of you

Standard Fellowship Compensation:

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Hourly pay of $21.40 per hour, plus the benefits listed above. Fellows who complete 1700 hours with GRID and complete their contracted term of service will be eligible for a $3,000 cash end of term award

Standard Fellowship Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, Accrued paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance 

Where you will sit & the places you may go…

The ideal candidate will have the flexibility to work remotely and travel for at minimum 2 weeks at a time. This position may require up to 40% out-of-town travel to construction sites, as well as regional offices and special projects such as org-wide celebrations, team building exercises, etc. GRID Alternatives may provide vehicles for work travel and/or travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use if the candidate has a valid driver’s license. 

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability:

 If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [email protected] 

Ready to Apply?

Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted.   

GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.