Location: Saint Paul
Job overview and requirements
Are you the type of person who has been successful working collaboratively in coalitions across different interests, specifically with diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices in energy? Would you enjoy engaging others in developing and implementing creative and inclusive solutions around equitably advancing clean energy in Minnesota? Do you want to be challenged at work, have a lot of fun, be inspired frequently, and make a significant impact at an innovative nonprofit working on electrifying our economy to reduce carbon emissions and benefit all Minnesotans?
Fresh Energy is hiring a full-time policy associate to join our Energy Performance team working on Energy Access & Equity. This position will actively support and sometimes lead on activities in this program area. Examples of current projects include the Saint Paul Tenant-Landlord Energy Project, a unique joint partnership with Community Stabilization Project, and collaborative work with environmental justice groups to improve air quality and reduce demand for oil through electrification of transportation. We’re looking for someone who is visionary, yet pragmatic, to help us create a clean energy future that benefits all. If you have experience in this area, thrive on engaging with others, and have a results-oriented approach, please read on!
Our story
For more than 26 years, Fresh Energy has been speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy to ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving communities today and for generations to come. Our mission is to shape and drive realistic, visionary energy policies that benefit all. Together we are working toward a vision for an economy we thrive in and energy that ensures our well-being.
Strong energy policy is creating new options for Minnesotans to reap the benefits of solar power, smart efficiency, electric transportation, and more. As our state shifts to a cleaner energy economy, it is vital to ensure that no one is left behind. Over the last four years, Fresh Energy has been expanding its work to look at not just how much wind, solar, and efficiency we have in our state but also who benefits. Fresh Energy is doubling down on this work through our new Energy Access and Equity program area. The program houses our work to create and expand clean energy opportunities for under-resourced households and renters and ensure that equity is at the heart of our efforts. Fresh Energy will continue to focus on providing policy and technical expertise, actively partnering with community and equity-focused organizations to identify and secure inclusive solutions.
Reports to
Director, Energy Performance
Essential responsibilities
- Policy and Programs:
- Actively support, and sometimes lead, activities related to the development and implementation of key projects. (Current examples include the Saint Paul Tenant-Landlord Energy Project and collaborative work with environmental justice groups to improve air quality and reduce demand for oil through electrification of transportation.)
- Represent Fresh Energy in key equity- and environmental justice-focused coalitions.
- Explore opportunities to engage in local advocacy work, potentially including specific efforts in Minneapolis.
- Support Energy Markets staff in work related to electric vehicles and environmental justice.
- Support Energy Performance team in broader policy work as needed.
- Make written and oral presentations to collaborators, community groups, policy makers, and other stakeholders as part of the program’s outreach and advocacy functions.
- In collaboration with the communications department, create and publish reports, white papers, web content, e-newsletters, and other program information. When appropriate, work to optimize media coverage of program goals, activities, and successes; this may include media interviews as well as writing op-ed pieces, and also includes the recruitment and training of effective messengers.
- Support the creation and management of the annual budget for the program.
- Participate in culture of collaboration and model our core values.
- In collaboration with the development staff, participate in fund development and relationship building efforts.
- Work effectively in the context of your immediate team, the broader Fresh Energy team, and with external partners; enhance collaboration by maintaining good communication, seeking and respecting diverse viewpoints, engendering trust, fulfilling responsibilities, and ensuring that all team members and their contributions are valued.
- Model behavior and contribute to a culture that is consistent with Fresh Energy’s core values; A critical part of achieving our mission is by living the values we endorse.
- Other duties as assigned.
Our hiring process and timeline
- We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
- Our hiring team will select finalists to interview in-person.
- Finalists will be invited to a second-round interview; at that time, we will ask for three references and two work samples relevant to this position, e.g. a technical paper, a professional writing sample, or other relevant materials.
- Ideally the selected candidate would begin work in early August.
- Fresh Energy’s Equal Opportunity Employer Policy reflects our commitment to ensure equality, treat everyone with respect, and promote diversity in the workplace.
Job qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree plus two years of experience in energy, economics, technology, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in coalitions of stakeholders across different interests. Leadership within coalitions a plus.
- Proven success working closely with diverse and underrepresented voices.
- Ability to develop, implement, and advocate for creative and inclusive solutions and strategies to equitably advance clean energy in Minnesota.
- Ability to conduct rigorous research and compile findings into easily digested and compelling formats.
- Self-starter who is able to work independently.
- Planful and results-oriented.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Solid computer skills in Windows environment, including MS Office.
- Team player who desires working in an environment where working as a team is valued and practiced.
- Ability to work occasional evenings/weekends is required.
- Persons in this position frequently lift, carry, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 20 pounds. They occasionally move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in related field, Juris Doctor, or other advanced degree.
- Demonstrated experience leading advocacy efforts related to equity and inclusion, environmental justice, community organizing, or related fields.
- Experience presenting before regulators, policymakers, utilities, and other key stakeholders.
- Experience developing communications to drive awareness of key issues, such as blog posts, research papers, social media, press statements, and/or video.
Compensation and benefits
- Starting salary range: $40,000-47,000 based on experience.
- Full-time, exempt position, working 40 hours per week. We believe in work-life balance and are committed to keeping the workload in alignment with the true hours worked.
- 24 days of PTO (increases each year of employment), 14 paid holidays, and a flexible, family-friendly schedule; plus summer Fridays, the office closes at noon.
- We provide medical and dental plans, additional voluntary vision, short- and long-term disability, life, AD&D insurance, and 5 percent of annual salary contribution to 403(b) retirement plan after one year. In addition, we incentivize transit, biking, and walking, offering a dollar for dollar bus pass match, a free annual NiceRide subscription, $1 for each trip to and from work by bike or walk, and an indoor bike storage area and showers.
- We foster a respectful, collaborative, and fun work environment.
To apply
E-mail cover letter and resume to Jillian Theuer at theuer@fresh-energy.org. No phone calls, please.