Clean Energy Specialist (Full Time)

Job Title: Clean Energy Specialist

Salary Range: $48,000-53,000

Position Type: Full-time

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm on November 18, 2024

Target Start Date: Early January 2025

Location: Northwest Lower Michigan

Reports to: Climate and Environment Program Director

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking a Clean Energy Specialist to support our Michigan Local Power Campaign. The ideal candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about advancing the local and regional clean energy economy and working with diverse stakeholders, including local government officials, nonprofit partners, and renewable energy developers. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing renewable energy opportunities in northern Michigan communities. This position is full-time and will report to Groundwork’s Climate and Environment Program Director.

At Groundwork, the candidate will join a driven team of individuals who are advancing policy solutions and projects that are pragmatic, practical, caring, and visionary. We strive to create a positive, collaborative, healthy, and inspired working environment that gives the staff the support to be the leaders in their field.

We are optimistic about Michigan’s future and believe in a thriving local farm and food economy; stronger, more walkable, bike-able, and transit-friendly towns and villages; cleaner sources of energy, and climate solutions that support a more equitable world for all. The researchers, writers, advocates, system-changemakers, and coalition-builders that make up the Groundwork staff are passionately committed to realizing this vision.

Groundwork’s Clean Energy Program History

Groundwork’s clean energy advocacy work spans several decades, beginning as the Michigan Land Use Institute in the 1990’s pushing for reforms in the oil and gas drilling industry. This work was followed by successful advocacy to shut down existing coal plants and reject new ones in Michigan. More recently, Groundwork launched the Oil and Water Don’t Mix campaign to decommission the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, and followed this highly successful environmental coalition of environmental groups to help launch both the Michigan Climate Action Network and the Great Lakes Business Network - key advocacy partners in the push for clean energy. On a local level, Groundwork focuses on helping Michigan communities set and achieve goals for 100% renewable energy. We strategically partner with public schools, businesses, municipal utilities, and tribes as key stakeholders in these communities.

Job Description

The Clean Energy Specialist will be responsible for fostering favorable local zoning decisions and educating rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects in northern Michigan. Key responsibilities include:

• Support Positive Municipal Zoning and Planning for Renewable Energy Projects: Promote zoning regulations that allow for the siting of large-scale solar and other renewable energy projects. Participate in and promote planning and zoning training sessions for planning commissioners and staff.
• Rapid Response Support for Shovel-Ready Projects: Develop a rapid response framework to provide immediate support for renewable energy projects in the region, including fostering relationships with developers, local government officials, and community leaders to keep projects moving forward.
• Spur Renewable Energy Development in Rural Electric Cooperatives and Municipal Utilities: Educate and engage co-op board members, staff, and municipal utility leaders on the benefits of clean energy. Organize events and meetings to build collaboration among rural electric co-ops and municipal utilities to advance clean energy commitments.
• Engagement and Advocacy: Represent Groundwork in meetings with local leaders, zoning boards, rural electric co-ops, and other stakeholders to advocate for renewable energy projects. Host community engagement events to rally local support for clean energy.
• Collaborative Efforts: Work closely with solar developers, municipal utilities, tribal nations, and other project partners to bundle demand for renewable energy projects and secure large-scale solar development opportunities.

Position Requirements

Candidates for this position must demonstrate:

• At least two years of experience in clean energy advocacy, zoning, rural organizing, or related fields.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, rural electric cooperative leaders, and local communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Desired Qualifications

Among the qualities we seek in successful candidates are:

• A strong commitment to Groundwork’s mission and programs.
• Passion for advancing renewable energy opportunities in rural Michigan communities.
• Experience working with rural electric cooperatives or municipal utilities.
• Proven ability to build relationships with decision-makers and grassroots community leaders.