Project Development Associate

Job Posting: Project Development Associate

Reports To: VP of Project Development

Company: SunVest Solar, LLC®

Location: Chicago OR Geneva, IL

Type: Full-Time, Onsite

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary Discretionary Bonus Comprehensive Benefits

Are you passionate about renewable energy and eager to have a meaningful impact through your career? SunVest Solar, LLC (“SunVest”) is a rapidly growing, renewable energy platform, headquartered in Chicago with assets across the country. We are expanding our team and seeking a Project Development Associate to play a pivotal role in fatal flaw identification, lease management, and managing site surveys/ due diligence. And as a leader in solar development with a robust project pipeline, SunVest offers an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to thrive in the dynamic world of renewable energy.

About SunVest:

SunVest’s mission is to cultivate access to renewable energy for America. We are a rapidly growing leader in renewable energy with expertise across the energy transition value chain, including development, construction, financing, and operations. SunVest is advancing an industry-leading pipeline of nearly 2 gigawatts of development projects, with a growing portfolio of assets under management expected to reach 300 megawatts in 2025. SunVest is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, in the dynamic West Loop neighborhood. For more information, visit www.sunvest.com.

Position Overview:

SunVest’s Development team is responsible for generating new land opportunities for ground and roof top solar arrays as well as battery storage in preparation for our construction department. As a Project Development Associate, you will report directly to VP of Project Development. The position will assist all aspects of development for solar arrays and battery storage projects including, but not limited to land acquisition, community outreach, and GIS mapping.

Your expertise in organizational methods and time management will be pivotal to SunVest’s ongoing success, contributing to our sustainable growth strategy and the development of strategic plans for managing and improving renewable energy generation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identifying ground mount PV project sites and accessing their viability by putting them through a pre-determined screening process.
• Contacting landowners to determine interest in entering into long-term lease or purchase option agreements that allow for the development of solar energy projects.
• Negotiating long-term solar leases or purchase agreements.
• Geographic Information Systems: Utilize GIS platforms to gather data and identify potential land parcels for community solar development.
• Data Management: Maintain and update spatial datasets, including parcel boundaries, electrical infrastructure, zoning, floodplains, slopes, and other environmental constraints.
• GIS Mapping: Create high-quality maps and visualizations for internal team use, project proposals, and stakeholder presentations.
• Fatal Flaw Analysis: Conduct research using publicly available data to identify potential project risks and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geography, Environmental Science or related field.
• 0 - 3 years of experience in an environmental science or business management capacity with a proven track record in data and project management.
• Experience with GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Google Earth, QGIS, etc.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of making strategic decisions and working independently.
• Innovative and adaptable, with excellent collaboration, organizational, and time management skills.
• Passionate about renewable energy and committed to sustainable solutions.

• Demonstrated excellent time management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks and adhere to strict deadlines; we appreciate candidates who can adapt to changing priorities without compromising the quality of their work.
• A deep passion for the renewable energy sector and a principled approach to fostering sustainable energy solutions.
• Comfortable with taking a collaborative approach to making suggestions that can improve existing processes; we value team members who are proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and are eager to work with others to implement positive changes.

Willingness to travel:

• 50% - 60% (required)

Compensation & Benefits:

• Full-time position with competitive base salary commensurate with experience, bonus opportunities, 401(k) employer match, health/vision/dental benefits
• Paid time off including company holidays
• Great opportunity to work with a well-respected fast-growing company in an exciting industry
• Opportunity for advancement

Join SunVest in leading the charge to cultivate access to renewable energy for America!

SunVest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. We request that recruiters and agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this or any other role within the company. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The salary range for this role reflects the broad array of factors considered in making compensation decisions. These factors include, but are not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, licensure, and certifications, as well as other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the geographic differential associated with the location where the position may be filled. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $60K-85K. At SunVest, it is uncommon for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, as compensation decisions are tailored to the specifics of each case.

Salary : $60,000 - $85,000