Community Solar Senior Program Manager - Solar For All Program

Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is an entrepreneurial nonprofit working on environmental solutions at the intersection of renewable energy and freshwater.

Partnerships are key to our success. We build long-term relationships with our education, corporate, utility and philanthropic partners by first understanding their goals and needs and providing solutions that achieve those goals while achieving real, measurable environmental benefits.

About Solar For All (SFA)

Solar for All is an initiative to make solar energy accessible and affordable for low-income and disadvantaged communities.

It leverages existing incentives and support platforms, providing financial assistance for solar installations on single-family and multi-family homes, and supporting community solar projects.

The program also focuses on workforce development, creating jobs in the renewable energy sector. Its goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance environmental justice, and promote energy equity.

Who are we looking for?

Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is seeking a Senior Program Manager for the Solar for All (SFA) Program in Oregon, as part of the Oregon Solar for All Coalition (OSFAC).

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment and has the skills and experience to contribute high-impact work that propels both BEF's mission and our partners' success.

The Senior Program Manager will play a lead role in collaborating with members of OSFAC (Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon, and BEF) to administer Oregon's Solar for All program with focus on community solar projects with consumer owned utilities (COU).

They will coordinate closely with BEF SFA and Renewables Teams to align SFA efforts in other states and support BEF's broader community solar strategy.

The Senior Program Manager's core responsibilities include building partnerships and projects with a variety of stakeholders - particularly COUs - and utilizing technical skills to develop and deliver community solar projects serving low income and disadvantaged community members.

Why Join Us? Our Values Are :

Partnership : We believe we can accomplish more by bringing people together.

Adaptability : We evolve, adapt, and apply what we learn to constantly improve our results.

Knowledge : We seek out and value diverse perspectives, embrace new ideas, and pioneer new approaches

Innovation : We recognize the scope and pace of the change we need demands that we innovate. This need for innovation inspires and energizes us.

Integrity : We are honest with our employees, customers, and our partners. We promise to always deliver the best possible outcomes for the environment and people we serve.

Primary Duties

Program Development

• Oversee the implementation of program initiatives, developing comprehensive program plans and ensuring that all program activities are executed according to predefined timeline and quality standards.
• Develop and implement customer acquisition and management processes, aligned with the program target markets and requirements.
• Manage a comprehensive risk and issue log for all program activities and proactively present these to senior management.
• Engage in relevant policy development with external partners and utilities to support program delivery and impact.
• Evaluate program success metrics and adapt strategies as necessary to enhance the efficacy and reach of the program.

Community Solar Program Management

• Build relationships and collaborate with project partners and stakeholders to build a pipeline of community solar projects within COU territories.
• Collaborate closely with other BEF staff including the Renewables team, SFA employees in other states, the SFA Compliance Manager, and the Finance and Operations team.
• Manage subaward contracts and relationships in support of delivery of services and implementation of projects within the state.

Support contractor adherence to funding agency requirements and all federal, state, and local regulations.

• Track and support completion of SFA program activities across all contributors.
• Monitor expenditures and provide financial reports to senior management to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Support the identification and integration of other financial assistance programs to expand the impact of the program.
• Support non-SFA or non-Oregon community solar development as required.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned by the Program Director, Renewables.

Partnership Development

• Engage with existing and prospective project partners, including consumer owned utility (COU) representatives, businesses, government, nonprofit, and community groups to scope, formalize, and advance community solar projects and the SFA program.
• Lead proactive outreach to potential community and utility partners.
• Advocate for equitable access to, and participation in, renewable energy benefits for underserved communities.
• Travel required up to 20% to various locations, primarily to support relationship development and project related meetings / working sessions.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degrees favored.
• 6 - 8 years of experience in program or project management.
• 3 - 4 years of experience in the solar industry.
• Must be located in Oregon or possess extensive knowledge of the state and a strong local network.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of available funding ( state, federal, local) and leveraging incentives for LI community solar and knowledge of IRA / Justice 40 initiative.
• Knowledge of electric utilities, solar energy development, project finance, experience in community engagement, government, or non-profit sectors are highly desirable.

Key Competencies :

• Project and Program Management and Documentation
• Initiative to identify and advance partnership and project opportunities
• Financial Acumen
• Effective Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation

What's in it for you :

• Salary Range : $85,977- $102,945 per year DOE.
• 100% Employer paid Medical, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Life insurance for employees; 75% subsidized for family / dependents.
• Retirement plan with 5% employer matching contribution.
• Generous PTO and Vacation Policy including alternative care and self-care leave.
• Four Week paid sabbatical after first 6 years, then every 5 years thereafter
• Opportunity to grow through training and development including a generous paid professional development budget.
• Hybrid work schedule.

Location : Hybrid, Oregon Resident, Travel Required

Open until filled. BEF will review applications as they are received and will interview qualified candidates as they are identified.

Our goal is to have this team member start work on 10 / 31 / 24. For consideration, apply on https : / / beforg.bamboohr.

com / careers or the company website at http : / / www.b-e-f.org / careers.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation is an EEO employer