Southeast Community Resilience Program Manager

ABOUT THE POSITION

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, versatile, and detail-oriented individual passionate about clean energy and social justice. Groundswell’s Energy Programs team leads the delivery of the organization’s solar, resilience, energy efficiency, and housing equity programs and projects in multiple states. As a key member of this team, the Southeast Community Resilience Program Manager (Southeast PM) will be responsible for implementing a clean energy technical assistance program and providing program management support for Groundswell’s nascent solar and resiliency programs across the Southeast. Groundswell seeks to cut energy burdens in half through these programs, celebrate community asset ownership, build neighborhood resilience, and support local jobs and businesses.

The Southeast PM should be adept at communicating about clean energy and energy resilience with various external stakeholders, from rural and small-town leaders and decision-makers (local government, utilities, community-based organizations) to technical program partners and community residents. In addition, the candidate should be able to manage multiple projects concurrently, deliver results, and handle administrative duties supporting each program. An ideal candidate will possess an existing knowledge of clean energy and be motivated to learn continuously.

In alignment with Groundswell’s strategic plan, the Southeast PM will focus on deploying solar and energy resilience programs in small, rural, and under-resourced communities with a focus on coastal areas in NC, SC, GA, AL, and FL. As the Southeast PM will travel independently within the region and may meet with stakeholders alone in some instances, a strong teamwork orientation will be important. A commitment to real-time sharing of information across the Groundswell enterprise is essential to execute programs and deliver results with excellence and integrity.

Groundswell’s values include joyful service, taking care of each other, equity, and excellence. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to implement new projects and programs in close coordination with Groundswell’s Market Development team will be essential to achieving success. Other critical skills include maintaining an organized set of deliverables, driving on-time results, and building consensus among disparate stakeholders.
Groundswell is a values-driven social enterprise committed to a culture of belonging. We invite you to review our strategic plan and values as you apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) (70% of the time)

Groundswell has been selected to serve as the Regional Partner for the Southeastern Seaboard for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), a U.S. Department of Energy program that offers direct technical assistance to remote and island communities to analyze
energy systems and to plan for increased resilience through solutions that may include building energy efficiency, hydropower, microgrids, solar, and wind technologies. Groundswell identifies and prepares communities to receive technical assistance and works with partners to provide technical assistance to these communities.
● Conduct outreach to stakeholders (local governments, nonprofits, municipal utilities/rural electric cooperatives, etc.) across rural and remote communities in the coastal southeast for participation in ETIPP
● Lead “Energy 101” educational sessions for communities: plan event logistics, assist with content development, and attend and help deliver in-person and virtual sessions
● Build and maintain awareness of local regulatory environments that impact clean energy initiatives in the region
● Assist communities in developing an energy plan
● Assist with the creation of a knowledge-sharing network across ETIPP participants
● Collaborate with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to provide technical assistance throughout the engagement period with each community, including scheduling, providing agendas, and participating in scoping discussions
● Draft quarterly reports, assist with invoicing, and lead other administrative duties

Community Resilience Planning (25% of the time)
Groundswell serves communities in the planning, design, and construction of community resilience hubs. Developed in close collaboration with the people and neighborhoods they serve, resilience hubs use solar and energy storage connected through a microgrid to provide essential services during emergencies, including keeping the lights and other critical equipment powered when the grid goes down. Groundswell’s approach to developing resilience hubs puts people at the center of the planning process by engaging with community members to determine where and what services are a priority for backup power.
● Collaborate with Groundswell’s Market Development team to educate customers (local governments, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations) about the concept of resilience hubs and associated benefits to communities
● Recruit representatives from underserved communities to participate in sessions that inform location and services of the Resilience Hub program in each jurisdiction
● Facilitate focus group discussions to guide representatives of underserved communities in identifying priority locations and services for Resilience Hubs
● Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to create outreach materials, website content, and articles to spread the word about the

Resilience Hub program
● Conduct initial analysis / due diligence to determine parameters for a project (utility bill analysis, zoning, business status, etc.)
● Conduct research and vetting process to identify prospective technical contractors in new markets
● Support contractor management during pre-development and construction phase
● Support applications for funding

Other Responsibilities (5% of the time)
● Represent Groundswell at events, speaking about solar, resilience, and energy efficiency programming
● Maintain data on projects and partners in Salesforce for tracking and reporting purposes
● Develop and maintain knowledge of Groundswell’s other programs

COMPETENCIES OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE
● Working knowledge of clean energy: solar, energy storage, and energy efficiency
● Deep appreciation for and understanding of diverse, under-resourced, low-income, and rural communities in the Southeast
● Ability to respectfully engage with a variety of stakeholders (program beneficiaries, community-based organizations, government, small businesses)
● Motivated and proactive self-starter
● Detail-oriented
● High emotional intelligence to encourage collaboration across both internal and external stakeholders
● Desire to develop a comprehensive knowledge of Groundswell’s clean energy solutions

SUPERVISION
This position will report to the Director of Energy Programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
N/A.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a remote-based position with frequent regional travel to meet with partners and stakeholders in person. The Southeast PM will be expected to be able to work from home in a suitable workspace situated in the Southeast region with a preference to GA or AL and may also utilize Groundswell’s LaGrange GA office location.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS
This is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week position. The days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and core hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL
Frequent regional travel will be required for this position. Occasional visits to Groundswell office locations (LaGrange, GA and Washington, DC) will also be required, including travel to Groundswell’s Washington, DC headquarters roughly four times per year.
In-person meetings within the SE region are highly valued, and whenever possible, the Southeast PM will be expected to meet partners in person, not just via virtual meetings.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
● Bachelor’s degree
● At least three years of work experience
● At least one year of experience in clean energy (professionally or academically)
● Program management skills
● Strong communication skills and comfort in facilitating educational sessions

COMPENSATION
Compensation for this position is in Groundswell's established pay band for the Manager level, and it includes a full-time employee benefits package.

BENEFITS
● Groundswell pays 100% of the monthly premium for health, dental, vision, and long-term disability for full-time employees in accordance with Groundswell’s policy. Groundswell also covers 50% of spouses and dependents covered under the Groundswell healthcare, vision, and dental plan.
● Matching 401 (k) plan contribution by Groundswell up to 4% for employees who choose to contribute to Groundswell’s 401 (k) plan, with immediate vesting.
● Monthly Development Days to focus on professional development opportunities.
● $45 per month to reimburse cellular phone use for business purposes.
● $75 per month to reimburse home internet access for business purposes.
● Fifteen (15) paid vacation days per year; eight (8) sick days; and two (2) personal days. Vacation and sick leave accrue at the start of your employment, restart each year on January 1, and increase with tenure. Personal days begin after six months of employment.
● Groundswell also takes nine (9) paid federal holidays and a holiday break from December 24th to January 1st (inclusive).
● Short-Term Disability Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, and Voluntary Life available.
● Pre-tax benefits such as Smart Benefits, Flexible spending accounts, and Dependent care are also available.
For more information about the organization’s benefits and other personnel policies, Groundswell will provide a new hire orientation within the first week of employment.

HOW TO APPLY
Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@groundswell.org detailing their qualifications and interest to be considered for this position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Groundswell is an equal opportunity employer that is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and seeks to create a pluralistic community for all.