Do you have a passion for solar? Are you looking for a career with a growing organization where you can make a difference and have fun doing it? If so, keep reading!

About Us

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit. We started more than 15 years ago with a simple question, "Mom, can we go solar?" Since then, we've helped tens of thousands of people benefit from solar energy. We are dedicated to creating a clean, equitable, resilient energy system that benefits everyone--by helping people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights. Our organization is growing, and we are looking for an Energy Equity and Inclusion Associate to join our team!

About the Position

The Energy Equity and Inclusion department works on addressing barriers to solar adoption. We assist SUN state directors in the design and implementation of low to moderate-income (LMI) pilots. These pilots help us identify barriers, increase awareness, and build support for more low-income solar programs. We also provide technical assistance to jurisdictions and organizations interested in deploying low-income solar. (Please note that this is not an HR/DEI role.)

Job responsibilities include:

● Building and maintaining a relationship with current and past participants from SUN’s solar equity pilot programs, updating demographics, tracking their experiences, and recording their stories.

● Assisting with the development, testing, and scaling of new programs and lines of work focused on energy equity programs and policy, including job training programs, community education and outreach programs, community solar LMI efforts, and others.

● Working with our Director of Energy Equity and Inclusion and the communications team to support the development and creation of materials, messaging, and outreach strategies that educate our network about energy democracy and equity, and how our members can help build a more inclusive movement.

● Developing relationships with community stakeholders, attending meetings, and writing reports.

● Developing relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, and allies with a focus on energy equity.

● Assisting the Director of Energy Equity and Inclusion and state directors with research and presentations on energy equity and energy democracy topics.

● Performing other duties and special projects as assigned.

In addition to a specific geography-based role aligned with the responsibilities detailed above, each associate will provide technical assistance in one of the following focus areas:

A. Policy/Grassroots Engagement:

o Monitor local/state policy action and support the advancement of equitable strategies to achieve statewide or regional program objectives.

o Contribute to broadening SUN partners, contacts, and volunteer base; actively engage and support frontline community members and advocates interested in advancing energy justice, creating points of entry and leadership development opportunities for volunteers.

o Identify opposition or barriers to communities’ just transition to solar and engage in collaborative implementation of transformative strategies.

o Collaborate with regional and cross-cutting teams to build resources for navigating the Inflation Reduction Act and other renewable energy funding opportunities.

o Engage in rapid-response, research, and writing on energy/solar policy developments.

--OR--

B. Program Implementation:

o Monitor and identify suitable areas for pilot project improvement, develop plans to initiate improvements, coordinate implementation of those plans and monitor, and report on the results.

o Research and identify relevant funding and workforce training opportunities for EEI goals.

o Support state and national directors with proposal development and SMART/DEJI aligned scope, deliverables, work plan and budget, and for new initiatives.

o Coordinate interim analyses and draft best practice/lessons learned briefs highlighting regional pilots and EEI department milestones.

About You

● Minimum 2 years of experience with community organizing, program coordination, or outreach.

● Comfortable engaging diverse stakeholders and pilot participants in a culturally sensitive manner.

● Strong written and verbal communication skills.

● Strong research and data analysis skills.

● Comfortable collaborating with a distributed team.

● Fluent in Spanish or other 2ndlanguage with constituencies in the US, Tribal Nations, or Territories preferred.

● Curiosity and interest in the distributed, solar energy sector.

● Ability to work remotely, with some travel. Located in AZ, CO, FL, IN, MD, MN, NC, PA, OH, TX, WV, VA preferred.

Why We Love SUN

● Salary range of $45,000-$55,000 per year

● Fun, remote work environment

● Flexible work hours

● Generous paid leave policy

● Health, vision, and dental insurance

● $1,000/year professional development stipend

● $50/month phone and internet stipend

● 401(k) retirement account with match after 1 year

● Meaningful, impactful work

● Our vision and mission

How to Apply

If this sounds like a good fit, please apply on our job board!

SUN is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Solar United Neighbors welcomes candidates of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with a non-traditional education. We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.