Program Associate, Clean Industry

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.

EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, EF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.

At EF, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are top organizational commitments. We are working daily to uproot racism and other forms of oppression and create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others’ lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

POSITION SUMMARY

EF is looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented self-starter to join our Clean Industry Program team as a Program Associate (PA). The PA will support the Clean Industry team to make and administer grants, and work with advocates and other partners to execute strategies and projects. Much of the PA’s time is focused on the administration of grants and contracts. The PA will arrange meetings with grantees, consultants, and funders; track and manage the program budget; review grant proposals; draft reports; and at heart serve as “air traffic control” for incoming communications and requests to the team. The PA also will project manage virtual and in-person convening of advocates, funders, and other stakeholders. Other key duties include organizing routine funder meetings, managing projects within and outside the team, providing administrative support to the team (scheduling, drafting communications, etc.), developing and implementing systems and processes to facilitate internal and external collaboration, maintaining budgets. 

The PA will work with:

1. Cross-programmatic teams, including National, Strategic Communications, and States and Regions teams.
2. Cross-functional teams including Operations and Strategic Partnerships; and 

3) Grantees, funders, and other partners outside EF.

EF actively seeks to expand DEI within our organization and through our work. We encourage people of color and candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking

• Track and execute all steps in the grantmaking process, including:
• Serving as the primary contact for grantees and consultants,
• Gathering feedback and working with all parties to craft and finalize proposals and scopes of work,
• Reviewing financials and conducting initial due diligence of grantees and/or prospective grantees, and
• Keeping the team informed of progress and flagging questions that arise in a timely fashion.
• Process grants/contracts through EF’s internal systems in a timely and responsive manner.
• Prepare agendas, schedule meetings, and conduct relevant research to ensure effective conversations.
• Prepare the Clean Industry team and grantees/consultants in advance of meetings to help deliver effective conversations, including circulating materials, flagging relevant questions, coordinating on meeting agendas, and setting clear expectations for meeting outcomes.
• Assist in conducting research and perform due diligence on grant proposals or prospective grantees. Directly engage with grantees and consultants to seek additional information as needed.
• Work collaboratively to manage program budgets and reconcile budgets with actual financials for cross-programmatic grants. 

Internal Support and Coordination

• Foster effective coordination and integration within the Clean Industry team, including using tools and systems to support collaboration and information sharing (e.g., Asana, Slack, etc.), supporting regular team check-ins, etc.
• Schedule calls and meetings as needed and handle meeting logistics (arrange locations, prep the technology interface, ensure that agendas are circulated in advance, support meeting follow-up, etc.).
• Prepare initial drafts of documents and presentations for internal and external audiences, such as board dockets, funder reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Serve as a liaison to other EF teams to ensure that the Clean Industry team is fully integrated with other national programs.
• Support the team on campaigns and communications projects as availability permits.

External Coordination

• Facilitate networking and information sharing between a culturally diverse set of grantees/consultants, and build connections with national groups/experts, as appropriate.
• Organize and/or support regional/state-wide meetings and convenings, including developing presentations and agendas.
• Represent EF and the Industrial team at meetings, conferences, and other events as agreed upon with your supervisor.

Build the Team

• Generate and implement ideas for systems, programs, and operational improvement.
• Embody EF’s values of collaboration, service, learning, and responsibility.
• Recognize that we are stronger when we are diverse and inclusive, and embody these values in your internal and external EF work.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues. Contribute to a positive working environment.
• With assistance from supervisor and others, formulate own learning and development plan. Identify and seek out professional development opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, training, projects, etc.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly organized with keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional time management.
• Apt communications skills: written, verbal, and digital.
• Proficient at handling multiple demands; experience supporting multiple priorities and juggling a variety of tasks for one or more individuals in a team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in customer service, thriving in a fast-paced work environment, and prioritizing competing obligations.
• Interest in one or more of the following areas: industrial decarbonization, iron and steel sector, aluminum sector, industrial heat decarbonization, paper and pulp sector, food and beverage sector, cement and concrete sector, chemicals and refining sector, transitioning and transforming utilities, climate justice, equity, the philanthropic sector, the nonprofit sector, issue campaigns, public policy, or strategic communications. 
• Pluses include:
• Understanding of and appreciation for the opportunities and challenges in the industrial space     
• Experience working on DEI.      
• Project management experience.
• Grants management experience.
• Internet savvy, including digital and social media, online survey tools, etc.
• Technical skills: intermediate or advanced skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, preferably in a Mac environment; intermediate or advanced with Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets, and the Box platform. Experience using relational database systems. Experience with cloud-based relational databases, such as Salesforce, is a plus. 

SUPERVISION

Reports to the Program Director, Clean Industry.  

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $93,600 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $84,600 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. EF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel two to four times a year domestically for two to three business days at a time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

EF is a remote-first work environment. This position may be based in any of EF’s offices (San Francisco and Washington, D.C.) or may work remotely from anywhere in the U.S.

The office environments include some shared workspace, some individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. On occasion, there are activities or events after work hours.

Salary : $84,600 - $93,600