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10 Dec 2021

Full-Time Climate and Clean Energy Specialist

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities – Posted by Jim Lively Traverse City, Michigan, United States

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities logo

Job Description

Deadline to apply: December 31, 2021

Target hire start date: February 1, 2022

Location: Traverse City or Petoskey, MI

Reports to: Climate and Environment Program Director

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking a Climate and Clean Energy Specialist to support our Clean Energy Program in northern Michigan. The ideal candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about advancing local, state and national energy policy reform, and experienced in public policy advocacy, networking, partnerships and facilitation. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated passion for promoting an equitable and just transition to renewable energy to combat the climate crisis. This position is full time, year round, and will report to Groundwork’s Climate and Environment Program Director.

Groundwork’s Clean Energy Program History

Groundwork’s clean energy advocacy work spans 25 years, beginning as the Michigan Land Use Institute in 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 Climate and Clean Energy Specialist will be a visible, credible leader on policy issues and will work with key stakeholders to achieve 100% clean energy commitments from local schools, tribal nations, businesses and government entities. Responsibilities of the Climate and Clean Energy Specialist include:

  • Engage key stakeholders within communities to secure 100% clean energy commitments by 2040;
  • Develop grasstop networks and cultivate strong relationships with local elected officials, school officials, business leaders, municipal utilities, nonprofit partners, and tribal governments;
  • Represent Groundwork Center in regional coalitions, at events, to the general public, and to members of the press;
  • Plan and coordinate media strategy to secure issue coverage in regional and national media outlets;
  • Contribute to educational outreach materials like newsletter updates, webinars, op-eds, digital content, sign-on letters, and more;
  • Conduct research to ensure campaign policy positions are scientifically grounded and current;
  • Provide organizational support for events, like clean energy conferences, networking events, policymaker roundtables, and more;
  • Support fundraising efforts and establish positive relationships with donors and foundations;

Professional Requirements

Candidates for this position must demonstrate:

  • At least two years experience in grassroots organizing, coalition building, or lobbying especially relating to clean energy policy;
  • Proven networking skills and experience in developing partnerships and building diverse coalitions;
  • An ability to develop and cultivate relationships with decision-makers and grassroots community leaders at all levels of community, education, and economic stakeholder groups;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • A proven ability to work independently and be self-directed while collaborating well with others in a team setting.
  • And, a demonstrated standard of excellence with attention to detail and accuracy.

Personal Qualifications

Qualities we seek include:

  • Strong commitment to Groundwork’s mission and programs;
  • Passion for advancing equitable solutions to climate change in the Great Lakes region;
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice;
  • Proven ability to organize priorities, with keen attention to detail and deadlines;
  • Self-directed working approach and ability to take initiative.

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.

Compensation, Benefits, and Application Procedure

This is a full-time position with flexible hours, generous vacation and health benefits, retirement contribution matching, and a competitive salary range. This is a program specialist level position with a salary range of $48,000–$56,500, commensurate with experience. Groundwork Center is located in northwest Lower Michigan, and candidates must be able and willing to be located within the region by April of 2022.

Groundwork is committed to creating a diverse workplace and seeks a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. Groundwork is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

*The safety and well-being of our staff, contractors, and communities is our top priority. Therefore, travel responsibilities of this position have been paused and replaced with remote communications in response to Covid-19. These responsibilities will resume in-person once it is safe to do so.

How to Apply

Please send a one-page cover letter, résumé and three references to: [email protected] with the subject line: Climate and Clean Energy Specialist. Applications will be accepted until 5pm on December 31st. 

Job Categories: Clean Energy. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: climate, community organizing, Michigan, and policy. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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