ABOUT VOTE SOLAR
Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns.
Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE
Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
THE ROLE
Vote Solar seeks a candidate based in Illinois who is passionate about implementing collaborative state based campaigns to advance equitable energy policy focused on maximizing the deployment of distributed energy resources, reducing our reliance on fossil gas, and ensuring BIPOC, frontline, low wealth and other systematically excluded groups have a voice in regulatory and legislative venues.
This position will report to the Deputy Program Director, Midwest and focus primarily on supporting campaign implementation in Illinois. In addition, at the direction of the Deputy Program Director, Midwest, this position will take on specific projects to support campaigns work across the region, including but not limited to the creation of assets such as social media and blog posts, and educational resources; or tracking legislative activity and trends across the region; as well as supporting the maintenance of team systems that support collaboration and achievement of regional team goals. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented person who excels at building relationships and managing complicated projects.
The Manager, Campaigns - IL role is funded through a grant and is currently approved for a one-year term. While there may be opportunities for extension based on future funding, continuation of the role beyond the one-year period is not guaranteed. Candidates should be comfortable with a limited-term position and prepared for the possibility that the role may not be extended beyond the initial period.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Campaign Manager’s primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
CAMPAIGN IMPLEMENTATION (50%)
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Support Vote Solar’s legislative and public-facing energy and climate justice campaigns in Illinois. This will likely include leadership opportunities for advocacy campaigns focused on power sector reform, clean energy deployment, and income-qualified solar programs.
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Conduct policy research to help ensure that Vote Solar and our allies are proposing the best possible policies to continue Illinois’s journey to the equitable clean energy future.
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Support the priorities and increase the capacity of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition as they relate to power sector policy reform.
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Draft campaign materials, such as, blogs, social media posts, press releases, digital communications, talking points, legislative letters and testimony, and one pagers in coordination with the Regional Director, Regulatory Directors, and Communications team.
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In collaboration with the Deputy Program Director, Midwest, support the development and maintenance of internal systems that enable successful campaigns across the region.
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Implement strategies to grow new and existing relationships with decision makers, and other thought leaders at all levels to champion our policy goals now and into the future.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT + COALITION MANAGEMENT (40%)
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Build and collaborate with coalitions of stakeholders – including frontline communities, environmental justice advocates, consumer advocates, environmental advocates, energy efficiency proponents, energy storage providers, electric vehicle advocates, etc. – to develop and pursue win-win strategies.
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Work with the Deputy Program Director, Midwest to develop an Illinois-specific plan to grow new and existing relationships with partners that supports the development of a shared long-term agenda.
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Attend regular regional campaign and coalition meetings to identify how Vote Solar can meet its goals in the state and add value to the work being done by partners.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE (10%)
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Continue personal learning and contribute to organizational work on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
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Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.
REQUIREMENTS
WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED
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4+ years of relevant, combined education and experience. Of those, the candidate should have at least one year of experience in community organizing, advocacy campaigns, and/or stakeholder outreach work.
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Knowledge of the legislative process, and familiarity with the components of an advocacy campaign: lobbying, grassroots and grasstops organizing and media relations.
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Interest in energy policy and a proven ability to become conversant with policy details.
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Experience building strong, trust-based partnerships and working in coalitions and finding common ground among diverse and occasionally competing perspectives.
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Compelling communication skills, including the ability to speak in public and with media outlets.
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Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.
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A personal commitment to building an inclusive and supportive work environment.
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WOULD BE EXCITED TO LEARN HERE
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Expertise on solar or other energy policy and regulatory topics, particularly in the Midwest.
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Expertise on climate policies, particularly related to the intersection of clean energy and climate change adaptation.
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Strong relationships with regional stakeholders, especially environmental justice, frontline and traditional environmental groups as well as the solar industry.
MINDSETS
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A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and inter-personal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
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Problem-solving orientation that includes thinking ahead to identify possible obstacles, searching for and proposing answers, independently owning work as assigned, and the ability to navigate ambiguity.
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Passion for building new capacity at a growing organization.
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Understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership) is as important as what we work on.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send a letter of interest and resume to Vote Solar. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that all qualified applicants may participate in the application process. Please inform Adrena Lambert at [email protected] of accommodation requests at the time of application.
Application Process Note: Vote Solar is required to enroll in the E-Verify Program to verify employment eligibility of certain employees. Candidates who receive an offer may be required to complete this step depending on their state of residence.
LOCATION
This is a remote position open to anyone in the Midwest, with a strong preference for candidates based in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois. Candidates outside of Illinois should be prepared to visit the state frequently. This position may require some additional travel within the region and occasional national travel. Workplace arrangements are flexible, including options to work from our Chicago office as needed or work from home.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
This position is funded through a grant and is currently approved for a one-year term. While there may be opportunities for extension based on future funding, continuation of the role beyond the one-year period is not guaranteed. Candidates should be comfortable with a limited-term position and prepared for the possibility that the role may not be extended beyond the initial period.
The salary range for this position is $86,400 - $93,700. At Vote Solar, we work hard to ensure that our compensation is equitable internally and aligned with our compensation philosophy and defined job levels. In order to ensure equitable compensation across roles in the organization, we do not negotiate new hire offers.
Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents; a retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees.
OUR VALUES
At Vote Solar, we have co-created the following shared Values and work hard to live into them every day:
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Trust - Without Trust, We Can’t Succeed
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Authenticity - We Hold True to What and Who We Stand For
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Versatility - We Adapt Our Approach, But Never Our Values
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Compassion - People First, in Every Aspect of Our Work
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Inclusivity - We’re Strongest Together