Clean Energy & Community Resiliency Program Officer

Starting Pay Range:        $60,600-65,600, depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits package
Status:                              Full-time, Non-exempt
Reports To:                      Vice President for Community
Direct Reports:                None
Teams:                              Staff, Community and Workforce Development, Program Team, Grants
Location:                          This position’s home office is in Little Falls, MN, and requires a portion of worktime in the office. As a hybrid employer, this position allows for some Central Minnesota-based remote work and is considered a field position.
 
Position Summary: This position leads the Foundation’s programs and strategies for supporting rural communities in identifying, funding and implementing solutions for clean energy and community resiliency. This position develops and supports programming, coordinates and administers grants, and advances economic opportunities in collaboration with local units of government, nonprofits, and local and state partners. In addition, it provides technical support to disaster preparedness, response and recovery programming. A strong commitment to the vision, mission and values of the Initiative Foundation is essential as we work together to serve the communities of central Minnesota. 
 
Responsibilities:
1. Program Design and Management (35%): Develops vision, strategies, and long-term opportunities and outcomes for clean energy and community resiliency programs and resources to support the needs of the region’s communities and economies with a particular focus on Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties); manages program budget and helps secure additional funding; maintains strong relationships with partners and funders to identify the program’s best fit and approaches.
2. Clean Energy and Economy Technical Assistance (35%): Develops, contracts for, and facilitates a suite of services to support local governments and nonprofits to identify community needs, complete early-stage project feasibility studies, identify funding opportunities, and write and manage grants that support clean energy, disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and community resilience planning projects. Includes a focus on accessing federal clean energy resources. Contracts with and manages technical assistance and resources providers to support organizations. Makes referrals to relevant and timely resources. Partners with entrepreneurship team to facilitate lending and access to clean energy capital.
3. Community Convening (15%): Recruits and facilitates cohorts of small-city and nonprofit leaders to work on collaborative projects, build trust, identify shared priorities, and advocate for and secure funding.
4. Networks and events (10%): Participates in regional and state networks to elevate the program’s profile, attract resources, and make effective connections for community partners. Manages, as available, grant funding to support community events in the region and special initiatives.
6. Other Duties (5%): Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or members of Leadership Team. Acts as a liaison with other funders and relevant partners in additional projects affecting the region. Participates in organizational special projects and initiatives.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  This is a new position at the Foundation, and the ideal candidate will bring strategy, vision and leadership to shaping the work in collaboration with local communities. Other relevant experiences may include: developing or coordinating nonprofit programs; grant development and management; administration of or technical assistance for clean energy funding and programming; and broad-based community engagement and coalition-building.
 
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in community development or related field with three years clean energy-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong people-first leadership and team building skills are required as well as knowledge and experience with the clean energy sector and/or community development and planning in rural areas, including programming, funding, best practices, and emerging solutions. Experience working across cultures with diverse populations necessary. Excellent oral and written communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. High comfort level working independently and collaboratively under multiple deadlines and in digital and hybrid environments. Requires a valid driver’s license and insurance coverage or access to reliable transportation.
 
How to Apply: Visit https://ifound.org/about/careers/ to apply by November 27, 2024. EOE