Program Specialist, Tribal (Remote)

Tribal Program Specialist (Tribal HQ - Remote)

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, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware; GRID also works in Nicaragua, Mexico and Nepal. GRID has a dedicated staff of 380 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 participate 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.

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 Program Specialist position is remote and reports to the Co-Executive Director of Development. This position is funded under the Solar for All Grant and is employed the length of the grant period (maximum 5 years), with the possibility of extension, to perform essential duties related to financial assistance deliverables as it relates to GRID’s workplan and scope. This position will be responsible for assisting in the large portfolio of federal grant activities for financial assistance and manages the pre- and post-award grant process. This position will coordinate and collaborate with HQ GRID staff, CA Regional Staff and the National Tribal Program and support implementation and development of expanding energy access work across Indian Country. The Tribal Program Specialist will create and maintain a grantmaking pipeline of potential grantees, resources, and industry connections throughout the United States.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Grantmaking

• Develop and manage the planning and execution of government grantmaking programs under the direction of the Program Director and in coordination with the TSAF Program Officer
• Develop and utilize the grantmaking platform in coordination with Comms, Workforce Development, Operations, and TSAF grants
• Review grant proposals, budgets and grant reports.
• Create award notification letters to grantees and handle general correspondence.
• Conduct regular check-in calls and meetings with grantees.
• Provide feedback to applicants and connect partners to other resources
• Create and follow relevant federal and internal policies for fiscal responsibility and ethical and equitable standards for grantmaking
• Use software systems such as Salesforce, Inspire, Concur, Paycom and Paycom Manager, Adobe, Intact, Microsoft G-suite, etc. to help track, sign, manage projects, payroll, information, and documents.
  
  
  

Tribal Relations

• Create and maintain critical internal and external relationships and processes to support/ensure grantee success
• Conduct timely outreach to tribes and prospective partners on all available opportunities
• Receive and respond to inquiries and application questions in a timely manner
• Attend industry events and tribal gatherings to build relationships with funders and experts in the field
• Travel and conduct project site visits when necessary
  
  
  

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Compile and analyze data for use in a variety of formats including annual reports, public relations material, white papers, and presentations.
• Assist the Tribal Program Director in evaluating the outcomes and impact of the grant programs to inform grantmaking strategies.
• Meet with accounting and operations teams regularly to monitor grant budgets and make sure processes are updated in organizational database
  
  
  

Responsibility For Work Of Others

• None, this is not a supervisory position
• Direction Received
• General supervision
  
  
  

What You Need To Bring To This Role...

• Experience working directly with culturally diverse groups of people, Native American experience required
• Prior grantmaking experience with a non-profit, government agency, or other entity
• Demonstrated commitment to serving Indian Country in a mission-driven organization and program
• Demonstrated ability to assess qualitative and quantitative outcome data and to provide coaching and technical assistance to grantees to help them achieve exemplary results
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated success in grantmaking
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills; strong presentation skills
• 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 performing grantmaking as the program lead, particularly in the areas of environmental and climate related work
• Excellent research/evaluation experience; writing reports and grant applications/proposals
• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies from within national nonprofit organizations
• Experience working directly with grantees, funders, and partners
  
  
  

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

The Tribal Program Specialist will support Tribal Program staff on all aspects of grant management and pre- and post-award processes for the portfolio of government grant awards. This is a remote position, but occasional travel is also 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. 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, exempt position. Salary pay commensurate with experience within the pay band ($80k- 90k annually), 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!