What are the responsibilities and job description for the RENEWABLES AND LAND USE COORDINATOR position at State of Arizona?
ARIZONA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
OFFICE OF RESILIENCY
Through the Office of Resiliency, we seek to bring state agencies, businesses, underserved communities, and tribal communities together to identify climate solutions that expand job and economic opportunities, improve the health and well-being of Arizonans, and pave a path to long-term prosperity.
RENEWABLES AND LAND USE COORDINATOR
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Posting Details
Annual Salary Range: $85,000 - $88,000
Closing Date: May 2, 2025
Job Summary
As energy demands and reliability concerns increase across the West, Arizona is well-positioned to meet these challenges through a number of strategies, including new utility-scale solar, wind, battery, and transmission development. However, energy infrastructure projects increasingly face challenges by local communities and organizations, who are often not heard or fully may oppose new projects whether it’s in favor of competing land uses or to protect views and ecosystems.
Housed within the Governor’s Office of Resiliency (OOR), this position will implement a Renewable Energy Lands program that will include working proactively with rural Arizona communities to understand local concerns regarding new energy infrastructure projects, build consensus and find solutions where possible, and decrease barriers to utility-scale renewable energy development and transmission.
Job Duties
The Coordinator will work closely with the Governor’s Policy Advisors on Energy and Land Use to achieve the following program outcomes:
The Renewables and Land Use Coordinator will:
Minimum Qualifications:
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.
Benefits
The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Retirement
OFFICE OF RESILIENCY
Through the Office of Resiliency, we seek to bring state agencies, businesses, underserved communities, and tribal communities together to identify climate solutions that expand job and economic opportunities, improve the health and well-being of Arizonans, and pave a path to long-term prosperity.
RENEWABLES AND LAND USE COORDINATOR
- Please send a cover letter and resume to resiliency@az.gov with the subject line: Renewable Energy and Land Coordinator application*
- This position is funded by a grant that ends on December 31, 2026**
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Posting Details
Annual Salary Range: $85,000 - $88,000
Closing Date: May 2, 2025
Job Summary
As energy demands and reliability concerns increase across the West, Arizona is well-positioned to meet these challenges through a number of strategies, including new utility-scale solar, wind, battery, and transmission development. However, energy infrastructure projects increasingly face challenges by local communities and organizations, who are often not heard or fully may oppose new projects whether it’s in favor of competing land uses or to protect views and ecosystems.
Housed within the Governor’s Office of Resiliency (OOR), this position will implement a Renewable Energy Lands program that will include working proactively with rural Arizona communities to understand local concerns regarding new energy infrastructure projects, build consensus and find solutions where possible, and decrease barriers to utility-scale renewable energy development and transmission.
Job Duties
The Coordinator will work closely with the Governor’s Policy Advisors on Energy and Land Use to achieve the following program outcomes:
- Establishment of consistent, trusted relationships between OOR, rural and Tribal energy communities, and utility-scale renewable and transmission developers
- Creation of resources to empower communities to secure benefits that are tangible and supportive to the communities’ needs when fielding renewable energy and transmission proposals
- Increase in renewable energy and transmission developments that meaningfully work with local communities to support community needs and goals, including local economic development, conservation, and Tribal sovereignty
- Decreased barriers to new utility-scale renewable energy and transmission projects and to increase acceptance of large-scale clean energy infrastructure projects on rural and Tribal lands
- Improved public understanding of energy systems and land use
The Renewables and Land Use Coordinator will:
- Develop and promote resources to educate and empower rural and tribal communities with energy system educational materials, community benefits information, model zoning ordinances, and other technical assistance
- Assist the Director of OOR, the Energy Policy Advisor, and the Land Use Policy Advisor in the development of a broader Renewable Energy Lands program that proactively builds consensus and decreases barriers to utility-scale renewable energy development and new transmission, while supporting local communities and environmental ecosystems
- Develop and update a project pipeline tracker of major renewable energy projects proposed in the state and set benchmark goals for project deployment, including on state trust land
- Work closely with the Arizona State Land Department in its permitting process for renewables and transmission on state trust land, including examining opportunities to reform state land project approval processes
- Convene and facilitate a regular working group of renewable energy and transmission developers and expert nonprofits who will help OOR identify and address barriers to renewable energy
- Host listening sessions in rural communities to establish relationships, hear concerns, and identify desired community needs and goals regarding clean energy
- Assist the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs in its convening of a Tribal Clean Energy Summit
Minimum Qualifications:
- Demonstrated coalition building skills, navigating perspectives, communicating complicated data-heavy subjects, and working towards consensus
- Passion for the deployment of renewable energy resources as an economic and workforce development driver and for supporting rural Arizona
- Understanding of Arizona’s energy system and energy policy, and economic and workforce development fundamentals
- Experience facilitating stakeholder meetings and conducting policy research
- Ability to work in diverse political and cultural environments
- BA/BS degree in a relevant field
- 3 years in rural economic or workforce development, renewables or transmission project development, permitting, engineering, or related fields
- Experience working with tribal governments, non-profits, and/or municipal and county governments
- Knowledge of the utility industry and renewables market trends and technologies
- Experience working in rural Arizona
- Master’s degree in a relevant field
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.
Benefits
The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
- Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
- Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
- Health and dental insurance
- Retirement plan
- Sick leave
Retirement
- Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
- Note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment
- If you have any questions please feel free to contact Ariel Gonzalez at agonzalez@az.gov for assistance
Salary : $85,000 - $88,000
