Policy Director, Access & Equity Program (Remote/Any Location)

Vote Solar’s mission is to repower the U.S. with clean energy by making solar power more accessible and affordable through effective policy advocacy. We are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Oakland, CA, and regional offices in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington, D.C. We are in search of a Policy Director to support our work to advance inclusive and equitable solar policies and programs in states across the country. We seek to fill this position as soon as possible.

  RESPONSIBILITIES

The Policy Director will be responsible for supporting Vote Solar’s policy and regulatory work to advance a more equitable and just clean energy future. The position will report to the Managing Director, Access & Equity (A&E). Activities will include:

Champion Equity and Justice

• Work in collaborative, authentic partnership with groups representing communities of color, low-income communities, and other underserved communities;

• Expand your analysis and knowledge about the role that various forms of injustice play in our society, and commit to building and/or deepening your commitment to equity and justice work

Support Policy & Regulatory Efforts

• Research and develop policy solutions that will lead to greater access to solar and its benefits, and more equitable solar deployment, for underserved communities;

• Research and evaluate new policy solutions and new program areas Vote Solar should consider pursuing in order to advance solar access and equity;

• Identify best practices across existing programs that aim to expand access to solar;

• Support the successful implementation of existing programs and policies that aim to expand access to solar;

• Support Vote Solar’s state-level campaigns and regulatory actions to advance policy solutions across the country; this may include policy or legislative drafting, drafting comments and testimony, drafting public communications pieces, assisting with coalition building, attending meetings or hearings, etc.

• Working with internal staff and external partners, maintain and update the Low-income Solar Policy Guide, at www.lowincomesolar.org;

• Educate and develop relationships with state policymakers and regulators;

• Prepare toolkits, presentations, case studies and other collateral to help allies and partners in communication efforts relating to solar access and equity.

Thought-Leadership & External Communications

• Represent Vote Solar in national forums, both through speaking and writing engagements;

• Work with Vote Solar Communications Team and the Access & Equity Team to develop and implement media and social media plans to support the Access & Equity Program objectives;

• Other duties as assigned by the Managing Director, Access & Equity.

Our ideal candidate is a strategic, smart and policy-oriented advocate who is passionate about expanding solar access and equity, knows how to work in collaborative, authentic partnership with groups that represent underserved communities, and is committed to deepening their expertise in solar policy. This person seeks to understand and implement Vote Solar’s vision for working toward equity and justice as we transition to a clean energy future. The candidate knows their way around policymaking arenas, and has familiarity with energy policy, or is eager to learn. 
REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for the following skills:

• Policy and/or regulatory advocacy skills, including research and analysis, program implementation, and experience educating and developing relationships with state policymakers and regulators.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly absorb and integrate new information, including learning new policy issues
• Demonstrated understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership), is as important as what we work on;
• Ability to work in diverse coalitions and approach coalition building in an inclusive and thoughtful manner, including across lines of difference;
• Ability to write, speak to, and present in a compelling way for a variety of audiences;
• Ability to assess the big picture across states and provide well-reasoned arguments for allocating limited staff time
• Ability to be introspective and thoughtful about how you can contribute to Vote Solar’s journey toward embedding inclusion, equity and justice into our organizational culture and our work;
• Ability to work independently, effectively and creatively; but at the same time be a team player; and
• Ability to manage time effectively and adapt to changing landscapes and priorities.

PREFERRED SKILLSET/EXPERIENCE:

• Familiarity with solar policy, preferably with policies and programs that will result in greater access and equity.

• Existing relationships with state policymakers and regulators.

• Belief that racial equity and social justice are important and familiarity with the ways that race and other identities intersect and play out in our work.

• Experience working in partnership with communities of color, low-income communities, or other underserved communities is highly desirable.

BENEFITS

Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package of benefits, including 3 weeks paid vacation in year one, four weeks starting in year two, plus sick time, and best-in-class health care and retirement savings plans.