Policy Specialist, Tribal (Remote)

Policy Specialist, Tribal

Why you want to work here...

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.

Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.

Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.

Based in Oakland, California, GRID has 8 regional offices and affiliates serving all of California, Colorado, Mid-Atlantic/Washington D.C. region, and Tribal Lands within the U.S. Additionally, GRID has international operations in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Nepal. GRID has a dedicated staff of 400 and growing!

What It's Like At GRID…

At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well-being of all of our team members. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.

GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

• Hired CA candidates must be able to pass a screening for drugs that are illegal in the state of California, including: amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates, and PCP.
  
  
  

Why this is a big deal...

Since 2010, GRID Alternatives has worked with tribal communities across the United States to support their renewable energy goals and visions for a sustainable future through tribal-focused programs. The Tribal Program supports tribes in asserting control over their energy resources and focuses on making project implementation feasible by leveraging state and federal programs, philanthropic dollars, and partnerships with other tribes across Indian County while working in alignment to identify, develop, finance and implement solar power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for tribal members.

Since 2018, the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), a tribal-led grantmaking program, has partnered with 85+ tribes and 50+ tribal individuals to support renewable energy development, workforce and training, and leadership development goals. The TSAF has provided tribes with access to philanthropic capital through competitive grantmaking and leadership development programs. At its core, TSAF is about more than just regranting; it’s about mobilizing and developing tribal solar projects and integrating workforce development and training, nation-building, and strengthening the energy resilience of tribal communities with visions for a clean energy outlook for generations to come. The upfront expenses to install and maintain solar systems are out of reach for many tribal communities, which is why TSAF funding has been critical to each grantee we have supported.

The Opportunity…

The Tribal Policy Specialist position contributes to efforts to influence and establish state and federal policies promoting energy equity across Indian Country. This position plays a critical role in assisting the Tribal Policy Director by developing and supporting campaigns to encourage clean energy development specific to solar on Tribal lands, cultivating networks with external members and Tribal partners, producing policy recommendations, and undertaking strategic development of the emerging Tribal policy team at GRID Alternatives that specifically tackles barriers to clean energy access in Indian Country. This position reports to the Tribal Policy Director in the National Tribal Program at GRID Alternatives.

Job duties:

Policy Research and Analysis

• Analyze public policy– primarily state legislation– for its effects on solar access for Tribes in priority states
• Develop nuanced experience on net-metering policy, state budgetary funds meant to stimulate Tribal clean energy project development, and other related state statutes related to natural resource protection.
• Monitor and track state policies and plans pertaining to solar growth or clean energy planning
• Monitor and track federal policies related to Tribal clean energy projects including funding opportunities
  
  
  

Policy Communications

• Write monthly and quarterly reports with the Tribal Policy Director on policy impacts and research of the Policy Team
• Draft advocacy letters for public facing audiences and Tribal leaders
• Produce internal briefings for Tribal staff members to understand policy issues affecting Tribal GRID Alternatives
• Contribute content to quarterly newsletters
• Public speaking at events online and in-person relating to Tribal-state policies
  
  
  

Partnership Building

• Represent Tribal GRID Alternatives at state legislatures as related to bills of interest throughout the year
• Establish relationships with federally-recognized Tribal leadership and identified tribal energy leaders across Indian Country.
• Build coalition networks with non-Native organizations that support policy and regulatory work
• Facilitate collaborative projects with federal entities on clean energy and Tribal clean energy development
  
  
  

Policy Development

• Assist the Policy Director in researching and developing related writing to Tribal clean energy self-determination, including regulatory comments on state incentive programs, policy briefs, white papers, and educational resources for external partners
• Conduct research on best practices of Tribal-state collaboration across the country and stay up to date on relevant state policy initiatives that could impact existing Tribal partners with an emphasis on solar
• Assist in developing a Tribal Policy Strategic Plan that informs process in cross-team collaboration, evaluation, and reporting
• Assist with miscellaneous policy tools used internally to better understand key states’ clean energy markets
  
  
  

What You Need To Bring To This Role...

• Experience working directly with culturally diverse groups of people, Native American experience preferred
• Prior government relations, liaison or policy development experience with a non-profit, government agency, or other entity, preferably within a professional Tribal space
• Demonstrated commitment to serving Indian Country in a mission-driven organization and program
• Ability to build strong coalitions or networks with non-governmental organizations, colleges and universities, government agencies, and Tribal governments
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated success in producing writing samples such as briefing statements to educate internal and external audiences on policy initiatives
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills; strong presentation skills (e.g. testifying on a priority bill in a key state)
• Strategic thinking, able to conceptualize, lead and execute complex projects and effectively convey their impact to various audiences
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines and objectives
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
  
  
  

It would be great if you also had...

• 3+ years’ experience of direct Tribal advocacy work, particularly in the areas of environmental and climate related work
• Excellent research/evaluation experience; writing reports and policy papers
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to distill complicated information to multiple audiences
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, both internally and externally
  
  
  

Where you will sit & the places you may go...

The Tribal Policy Specialist will support Tribal Program staff on all aspects of state and federal policy development throughout the year. This is a remote position, but travel may be required. GRID Alternatives may provide vehicles for work travel and/or travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use, but applicants must hold a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Travel may also include occasional conferences/training and all staff meetings. This position may require up to 25% out-of-town travel to regional offices and special projects. Availability to work nights and weekends may be required.

Let's Talk Money!

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Hourly pay commensurate with experience within the pay band ($28- $38 per hour), plus the benefits below.

How We Take Care Of You...

Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance

Ready to Apply?

Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted. Please do not call and/or email requesting an update.

Thank you for your interest in GRID Alternatives!