Rural Program Associate (Remote within Nevada) - Virtual/Remote

Job Description

Job Description

Our energy system is on the brink of a major transformation, and we’re looking for someone to help us ensure this new system puts rooftop solar energy at the cornerstone!

About the Position

This position will focus on helping Solar United Neighbors (SUN) build impactful advocacy campaigns, implement tactics to influence key decision makers, and expand grassroots engagement opportunities across our network of solar owners and supporters. The National Policy & Advocacy Campaigner will support state and federal legislative, and regulatory campaigns to advance and defend equitable access to distributed solar and storage.

In addition to being a member of SUN’s Policy & Advocacy team, this position will work closely with internal teams and departments, including SUN’s Virtual Power Plant team, Marketing & Communications, Community Impact, as well as external partners in the distributed solar industry and solar advocacy community.

This position will report to the Associate Director, National Solar Activist Network & Policy.

Please include a resume and a cover letter with your application.
Benefits
Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401K with company match, Flexible work schedule, Paid holidays, Paid sick leave, Paid time off, Phone/Internet Stipend
Culture
History of SUN

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit that 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.

SUN's values and culture

At SUN, our culture is rooted in our people. We believe that meaningful work happens when everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to bring their full selves to the table. Our organization is built on 5 core values of being people-centered, equitable, inclusive, action-oriented, and committed to continuous learning. These values guide not only what we do, but how we do it, through collaboration, curiosity, and care for each other and the communities we serve.

We are proud to foster a workplace where diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences are celebrated. We prioritize employee well-being with flexible work environments, growth and development opportunities, and a strong sense of shared purpose. At SUN, we are more than a workplace, we’re a community that values people, embraces progress, and believes in doing the right thing. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're looking to be part of a mission-driven organization that truly invests in its team, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include:

Campaign management and engagement (80%):

• Provide policy and advocacy support, including monitoring and tracking across a broad set of states, as well as priority national campaigns. This includes distributed solar and storage and advancing virtual power plants.
• Help identify, develop and implement opportunities for SUN supporters at the national and state-level to engage around solar policy issues and rights
• Support planning and implementing long-term and rapid-response national and state legislative campaigns.
• Participate, present and/or lead state and local coalitions in distributed solar energy work, serving as a SUN representative. This includes hosting/attending partner meetings, coalition convenings and conferences as necessary.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with key solar industry companies and associations, as well as partner organizations, including equity, environmental groups, religious institutions, and others.
• Support advocacy opportunities at the county or municipal level.
• Create meaningful engagement opportunities (action alerts, events, phone banking, constituent meetings, advocacy toolkits) that resonate with diverse solar supporters.
• Lead and organize volunteer meetings and trainings (virtual, or on occasion in-person) related to national or state campaigns.
• Help recruit and maintain relationships with key campaign volunteers for digital or on the ground activations.
• Work with our Communications Team to craft compelling advocacy alerts, web pages, emails, texts, earned media pieces, and paid and organic social media.
• Test creative new campaign tactics that give our state and national network more ways to take action in support of solar growth and rights.
• Help respond to solar policy and advocacy inquiries.

Data Tracking & Performance Metrics (10%)

• Track and analyze advocacy campaigns, engagement metrics, and demographics.
• Assist with tracking and reporting for grant reporting, funder meetings, monthly funder reports, industry partner requests and annual report.
• Utilize Every Action, Mobilize, Impactive, DaisyChain, New/Mode, for action alerts, volunteer management, emails, contact lists, events, text and reports.
• Help SUN capture and track information about relationships with partners and other organizations.

Organization-wide administration (10%)

• Actively contribute to a workplace culture aligned with SUN’s values of equity, inclusion, continuous learning, action-oriented, and people-centered.
• Show up fully for learning and planning and activities, including all-staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions.
• Coordinate and work with external consultants as needed.
• Facilitate meetings, prepare agendas, and take notes.
• As a key member of the team, contribute to brainstorming, developing, and executing new ideas.
• Manage your own regular administration, including timely submission of timesheets, receipts, reimbursements, scheduling, traveling planning, and HR paperwork.
• Other projects or tasks as assigned.

Work environment This position requires the ability to:

• Occasionally lift and move equipment or packages up to 50 pounds
• Remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods
• Travel occasionally by car and airplane to attend or support events, workshops and staff retreats
• Stand for extended periods while supporting events and/or community outreach activities

Core Competencies At SUN, thriving means more than great work, it is about how we show up for one another, embrace challenges, and live our shared values. These Core Competencies guide our success together:

• Proactive and Accountable: takes initiative, follows through on commitments, and owns outcomes.
• People-Centered Communicator: communicates clearly and respectfully in both written and verbal forms. Seeks understanding through questions, engages in open dialogue, and is receptive to giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Adaptable and Growth-Minded: embraces learning with curiosity and approaches change with flexibility. Comfortable navigating new tools, systems, and evolving ways of working.
• Collaborative and Inclusive: builds strong relationships across teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates space for all voices to contribute.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of grassroots organizing experience in engaging and mobilizing activists and working with coalition partners in legislative, regulatory, or other arenas.Minimum 2 years of experience managing projects across multiple states.Keen sense on how to build the strategy, alliances, narrative, and tactics to win issue campaigns.
• Strong analytic and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and strategically.
• Experience in taking creative approaches to grassroots mobilization and distributed organizing.
• Experience in building and being a productive member of complex internal and external teams.
• Ability to prioritize, work within tight deadlines, heavy workloads and unexpected challenges.
• Passion for creating an equitable energy system where everyone gets to make and benefit from their own local power.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of distributed solar and storage policies.Experience with solar industry, solar policy, and/or virtual power plants.
• Highly-motivated, acts on opportunities, and solves problems without requiring direct supervision.
• Attention to detail and interested in optimizing processes.Collaborative and strong communicator both internally and externally.Comfortable representing SUN with funders, partners, volunteers, supporters, and the press.Ability to manage multiple short- and long-term projects concurrently.
• Organized and able to track details, budgets, commitments, and multiple partners and moving parts.
• Spanish language proficiency.

Benefits

• Salary compensation from $80,000 - $95,850 based on experience
• Fun, remote work environment
• Flexible work hours
• Generous paid leave, vacation and wellness time
• Medical (84%-99% coverage for employees and dependents), vision, and dental insurance
• Paid holiday on all federal holidays - plus the day after Thanksgiving, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off, and two additional days of your choice
• $1,000/year professional development stipend
• $50/month phone and internet stipend
• 401(k) retirement account with match after 1 year
• Meaningful, impactful work

We anticipate accepting applications until the second week of May, with the first review of candidates next week. However, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible, as we may begin interviews on a rolling basis.

Applicants may redact or remove any information in your submitted materials (such as resumes, transcripts, certifications, or CVs) that could reveal your age, including your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates, and they will not be penalized for doing so.
Requirements
Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
Minimum 5 years of grassroots organizing experience in engaging and mobilizing activists and working with coalition partners in legislative, regulatory, or other arenas.
Minimum 2 years of experience managing projects across multiple states. Keen sense on how to build the strategy, alliances, narrative, and tactics to win issue campaigns.
Strong analytic and writing skills.
Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and strategically.
Experience in taking creative approaches to grassroots mobilization and distributed organizing.
Experience in building and being a productive member of complex internal and external teams.
Ability to prioritize, work within tight deadlines, heavy workloads and unexpected challenges.
Passion for creating an equitable energy system where everyone gets to make and benefit from their own local power.
Knowledge in: Computer skills
Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. SUN 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. We are 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 preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply.

SUN is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interview, hiring process, and work environment as required by law. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] so we can make the necessary arrangements. Only accommodation requests will be answered, and they will be handled confidentially.

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