Full-Time Program Manager for Georgia – SSDN Policy Program
Job Description
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Senior Executive and Director of Programs
Location: This is a remote position and can be based anywhere in Georgia (GA). Must have reliable, high-speed connectivity (phone/internet) and professional workspace (e.g., home office or other quiet, clean space) required. Approximate work hours: 9 am-5 pm Eastern or Central Standard Time (flexible); 40 hours/week. This position requires some travel to attend/participate in SSDN’s Annual Meeting and on-site all staff meetings; statewide travel in Georgia, and additional travel may be required (typically a few additional meetings and/or conferences each year).
Compensation & Benefits: $70,000 – $85,000 annually, depending on experience + a robust benefits package that includes 100% employer covered health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, employer sponsored policies for disability and life insurance, a generous flexible leave policy, remote work allowance, and a 401(k) program with an automatic employer contribution.
Position Overview: Since 2018, SSDN has piloted different efforts to support members’ ability to engage in energy and climate policy and regulatory issues, primarily at the state level. To date, SSDN has provided an increasing level of support in states where there are enough members with interest and capacity to address these issues. SSDN actively works to more deeply assess the education and capacity needs of its members related to state energy policy in the region. SSDN seeks to further develop the support that it has been providing in Georgia by continuously improving our work in the state, particularly on topics where there is member interest and a willingness to increase leadership in engaging in state policy and/or energy regulations. This position will prioritize work in the state of Georgia, including policy analysis, education and capacity building, facilitating member and partner calls, and supporting engagement efforts (e.g., interventions at the Public Service Commission). As a collaborative work group, the Policy Program team members also support general policy work and other state specific work as needed. There are also intersections with SSDN’s Federal Funding Program, and it’s expected that this position will coordinate and communicate with the Federal Funding Program especially when there is overlap between state-based policies or agency actions that impact federal programs and funding implementation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
SSDN Policy Program:
- Support the Policy Program team, including the Senior Executive and Director of Programs, other Policy Managers, and consultants, with the tracking of bills, regulatory activities, and other stakeholder proceedings and communicate relevant information to members.;
- Stay abreast of policy activities in GA that could affect members’ work and goals;
- With support from the team, lead ongoing landscape assessments of energy and climate policy in GA, the evaluation of opportunities to engage, and implementation of the prioritized opportunities;
- Work collaboratively with SSDN Policy Program staff and consultants to support the SSDN-led capacity building schedule and programming for all members to enhance their knowledge about state policy and/or other elements related to policy that will increase their awareness and engagement;
- Self-direct in the creation and QA/QC of written documents, presentation materials, and other work products to support member education and engagement;
- Regular check in calls with the Policy Program team and consultants;
- Track activities, metrics, and support the Senior Executive and Director of Programs and Policy Program team in the evaluation progress and potential program pivots;
- Collect and track activities for funder reports and for continuous program improvement;
- Support funding efforts as requested (e.g., participate in calls with funders); and
- Other duties as needed..
State Policy Calls, Work Plans, and Communications:
- Work with members and the SSDN Policy Program team and consultants to develop and implement work plans to advance members’ priority policy areas, such as:
- Access to renewable energy;
- Data access;
- Energy efficiency programs;
- Resilience efforts;
- Distributed energy resources, including storage;
- Transportation electrification and fleet transitions;
- Public service commission and utility engagement; and
- Other issues that may arise.
- Assist the Policy Program team and consultants in organizing and preparing for successful membership engagement for calls and activities; including the development of materials, sample language, and other resources with support and direction from the Senior Executive and Director of Programs;
- Coordinate and implement state network calls each month for SSDN members in GA focused on peer learning, priority alignment areas, and identifying action opportunities in GA.
- Maintain records of meetings and coordinate member access of meeting notes and recordings, resources, and opportunities for education for members;
- Research topics related to the scope, including data collection tasks related to specific policy and programmatic areas, gathering info on activities of partners, utilities, etc.;
- Develop and implement an annual work plan for work in GA and support the development of the Policy Program team’s collective annual work plan;
- Support coordination of any statewide policy-focused in-person meetings; and
- Other duties as needed.
Support Local Government Engagement and Partnerships:
- Plan and participate in regular calls with SSDN’s team and other partners, taking a lead on those in GA, including agenda development, planning, taking notes, and identifying next steps and opportunities for SSDN partner engagement;
- Engage in partnership development efforts for new and existing partners;
- Conduct outreach to new GA communities to introduce them to SSDN and encourage them to join and participate;
- Support the development of relationships and engagement with state agencies, including in partnership with the Federal Funding Program and its goals to elevate greater access to resources;
- Support additional capacity building opportunities for members that align with the goals and work of the Policy Program as well as other SSDN initiatives; and
- Other duties as needed..
QUALIFICATIONS: While no single candidate will embody all the qualifications below, an ideal candidate would possess many of the below experiences and skill sets.
- Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of related work experience.
- A sound understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities in the Southeast, with specific understanding of energy and climate-related policy.
- Experience working in state energy policy and regulatory environments; experience working in the state of Georgia is preferred (Note: This position will be located in and prioritize work in Georgia, including the PSC, legislature, and other forums)
- Candidates must be located in Georgia, or relocating to Georgia.
Desired Knowledge and Skills
- An understanding of concepts related to applying equity and equitable frameworks to sustainability actions, plans, programs, and policies;
- Experience working for, with, or in direct support of local governments;
- The ability to effectively and candidly facilitate conversations and connections built around a trusted, safe space for sharing and learning;
- Experience working in a collaborative team environment that includes self-directed work in areas of primary responsibility;
- Experience working to develop and deepen partnerships with external organizations in order to support strategic priorities;
- Advanced listening and communication skills – including detail oriented verbal and written skills;
- The ability to use Zoom and other video conferencing software; and
- The ability to work in partnership with other external organizations while holding a safe space for SSDN members that does not hold conflicts of interest.
About SSDN: The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is a collaborative community that develops solutions to the South’s unique sustainability challenges. SSDN’s membership includes sustainability and resilience staff from across the South, who build knowledge and learn from colleagues in other areas about best practices to meet their community’s needs. Communities located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia working in all stages of sustainability and resilience work join the network to scale, accelerate, and implement sustainable best practices so that our region’s communities are equipped to adapt to and mitigate climate change. For more information please visit www.southeastsdn.org.
SSDN and Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage applications from qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, racialized communities, Indigenous persons, veterans and persons with disabilities.
How to Apply
How to apply: Applications (including resume and cover letter) will be accepted through Breezy and reviewed on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to those who apply by the priority application deadline of Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) with interviews beginning immediately. Position open until filled.
When you apply you will be prompted to provide your contact information, cut and paste your cover letter into a text field, and you will be prompted to attach your resume. You are welcome to attach your cover letter along with your resume, if you prefer. You will also be invited to complete a demographic questionnaire. Your responses to the questionnaire are kept separately from your application and help us to monitor and improve our recruitment and outreach efforts to ensure we are reaching a wide diversity of candidates. If you do not wish to provide responses, please select the option, "prefer not to answer." Should you require accommodations through the application process, please let us know.
Priority application deadline is Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ 11:59 pm EST
Position open until filled
Candidates encouraged to apply early!
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