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Communities Program Associate
ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by some 80 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.
The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative:
Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.
Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests.
Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.
Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.
Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.
Compensation: Salary range: $51K-$59K, commensurate with experience. Benefits made available include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend.
THIS POSITION
GPI’s Communities Program goal is to ensure that equitable and inclusive action on clean energy, resilience, and climate solutions is accelerated and becomes the norm for the communities across our footprint. The team’s work includes a variety of projects, including coordinating local government and technical assistance provider networks and local government cohorts, facilitating community input processes, developing and implementing climate and energy plans, and providing technical assistance and capacity to local entities to develop clean energy projects including building efficiency, renewable energy, vehicle electrification, and multi-modal transportation.
To further support our audacious mission and vision, GPI is filling an open entry-level Program Associate position. The Communities Program Associate must be passionate about climate, energy, and community-scale action and enjoy working in an ever-changing environment that is mission-driven and consensus oriented.
The ideal candidate will exhibit attention to detail in their daily work, have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities, perform a wide variety of tasks, utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of work, and possess the ability to identify and address urgent and important needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Hours may be flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day; very occasional nights and weekends may be required. Some work can be remote, but this position will require some time in GPI’s Minneapolis office.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communities Program Associate will work closely with Program Managers on projects related to supporting local government climate and clean energy peer learning networks, technical assistance provider networks, climate and energy planning, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement, among other related topics.
- (60%) Program Assistance: The Communities Program Associate will have primary responsibility for administrative and support tasks, working closely with program staff on a variety of projects including stakeholder engagement, research, and technical assistance. Program Associates:
- Assist with administrative tasks related to grants and other funding sources. This includes supporting both proposal development and grant reporting.
- Coordinate with internal staff and external project partners to ensure timelines, deliverables, milestones, and goals are met.
- Support the development of tools and resources for external stakeholders in coordination with project partners and staff, including production of documents and presentations, laying out reports, developing PowerPoints or other presentation materials.
- Provide research and analytic support to Communities projects. This may include data collection, analysis and summarizing, surveys, phone or in-person interviews, and web research.
- Gather, organize, and analyze data in coordination with program staff, working with spreadsheets, geographic information systems, databases, and models.
- Compile research results in useful forms (e.g., case studies or blogs, short written reports, databases).
- Coordinate aspects of Communities Team external communications such as writing case studies or blog drafts, keeping a calendar of project communications deadlines, and updating websites.
- (40%) Meeting Coordination: Program Associates take the lead in planning GPI’s Communities Team project meetings and events, under the direction of the Project Manager. GPI meetings can range from one or two-hour affairs to full-day events. Specific tasks include:
- Coordinate meetings with internal and external partners, including scheduling, agenda development (in coordination with program leads), taking and organizing meeting notes, and ensuring timely follow-ups. Conduct outreach as needed to ensure diverse and inclusive participation by communities and stakeholders.
- Meet with GPI program staff and local government network leadership teams to understand their meeting objectives and requirements.
- Manage live webinars, including real-time surveys, small group break-outs, and recording both video and audio portions.
- If applicable, take care of other event logistics including venue identification, event registration, meeting sponsorship, travel and lodging for participants and speakers, food and catering, meeting notes, meeting handouts and packets, name tags, on-site signage, etc.
- Serve as the point of contact for speakers & participants’ logistical needs.
- Conduct post event evaluations to determine how to improve future events.
- Other programmatic assistance: As requested by the Program Manager, Senior Fellow, or Vice President of Communities.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Education and Experience: 1-3 years of paid or volunteer experience related to working with local governments, community organizations, sustainability, climate, renewable energy, or transportation. Experience with both local governments and sustainability or climate is a plus. Bachelor’s degree related to environmental studies, urban studies, sustainability, energy, and/or environmental justice is a plus.
- Research and Writing: Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Project Coordination: The successful candidate is detail-oriented, has excellent time and deadline management, is able to juggle multiple tasks, and is able to work independently.
- People Skills: A team player with the ability to work with and for many kinds of people.
- Meeting Planning: Experience coordinating virtual or in-person meetings or events is a plus.
- Technical Skills: Competency in PowerPoint, Xcel, Zoom, and Teams is required. Experience with design or desktop publishing tools such as InDesign, Illustrator, Canva or other design tools is preferred. Experience with GIS tools is also a plus.
- Values: Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute, passionate about equitably solving the climate challenge and about the potential for aggressive local climate and energy action.
EQUIPMENT USED:
This position involves use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:
This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online. Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:
GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.
The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.
