Careers at Groundwork

Careers at Groundwork are life-changing opportunities to create a better Michigan. We improve people's lives by creating and implementing local-based solutions that improve the environment, economy, and community. Become a part of creating bright, optimistic tomorrows in our challenging and rewarding work environment.
(Above photo by Scot Laing.)

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Climate and Clean Energy Specialist

Salary Range: $52,000-57,000
Deadline to apply: March 1, 2024, noon
Target hire start date: April 8, 2024
Location: Northwestern Lower Michigan
Reports to: Climate and Environment Program Director

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking a Climate and Clean Energy Specialist to support our Climate and Environment Program in northern Michigan. The ideal candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about advancing our local and regional clean energy economy and working with diverse stakeholders including local schools, renewable energy installers, government officials, nonprofit partners and more. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated passion for promoting an equitable and just transition to renewable energy to combat the climate crisis. This position is full-time, year-round, and will report to Groundwork’s Climate and Environment Program Director.

At Groundwork, the candidate will join a driven team of individuals who are advancing policy solutions and projects that are pragmatic, practical, caring, and visionary. We strive to create a positive, collaborative, healthy, and inspired working environment that gives the staff the support to be the leaders in their field.

We are optimistic about Michigan’s future and believe in a thriving local farm and food economy; stronger, more walkable, bike-able, and transit-friendly towns and villages; cleaner sources of energy, and climate solutions that support a more equitable world for all. The researchers, writers, advocates, system-changemakers, and coalition-builders that make up the Groundwork staff are passionately committed to realizing this vision.

Groundwork’s Clean Energy Program History

Groundwork’s clean energy advocacy work spans several decades, beginning as the Michigan Land Use Institute in the 1990s pushing for reforms in the oil and gas drilling industry. This work was followed by successful advocacy to shut down existing coal plants and reject new ones in Michigan. More recently, Groundwork launched the Oil and Water Don’t Mix campaign to decommission the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, and followed this highly successful environmental coalition of environmental groups to help launch both the Michigan Climate Action Network and the Great Lakes Business Network—key advocacy partners in the push for clean energy. On a local level, Groundwork focuses on helping Michigan communities set and achieve goals for 100% renewable energy. We strategically partner with public schools, businesses, municipal utilities and tribes as key stakeholders in these communities.

Job Description

The Climate and Clean Energy Specialist will be a visible, credible leader on policy issues who will work with key stakeholders to achieve 100% clean energy commitments from local schools, tribal nations, businesses and government entities. Responsibilities of the Climate and Clean Energy Specialist include:

  • Engage key stakeholders within communities to secure 100% clean energy commitments;
  • Work with student leaders, teachers, and school administrators to advance clean energy lessons and encourage solar energy adoption;
  • Coordinate Groundwork’s Access MI Solar Program, a solar group-buy program aimed to help residents and small businesses access affordable solar energy;
  • Develop grasstop networks and cultivate strong relationships with local elected officials, school officials, business leaders, municipal utilities, non-profit partners, and tribal governments;
  • Represent Groundwork Center in regional coalitions, events, to the general public, and to members of the press;
  • Plan and coordinate media strategy to secure issue coverage in regional and national media outlets;
  • Contribute to educational outreach materials like newsletter updates, webinars, op-eds, digital content, sign-on letters, and more;
  • Conduct research to ensure campaign policy positions are scientifically grounded and current;
  • Provide organizational support for public events, policymaker roundtables, and more;
  • Support fundraising efforts and establish positive relationships with donors and foundations;

Position Requirements

Candidates for this position must demonstrate the skills and qualities below:

  • At least two to three years of professional experience in grassroots organizing, coalition building, or lobbying especially relating to clean energy policy;
  • Proven networking skills and experience in developing partnerships and building diverse coalitions;
  • An ability to develop and cultivate relationships with decision-makers and grassroots community leaders at all levels of community, education, and economic stakeholder groups;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • A proven ability to work independently and be self directed while collaborating well with others in a team setting.
  • And, a demonstrated standard of excellence with attention to detail and accuracy

Desired Qualifications

Among the qualities we seek in successful candidates are the following:

  • Strong commitment to Groundwork’s mission and programs;
  • Passion for advancing equitable solutions to climate change in the Great Lakes region;
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
  • Proven ability to organize priorities, with keen attention to detail and deadlines;
  • Self-directed working approach and ability to take initiative.

Compensation, Benefits, Application Procedure

This is a full-time position with flexible hours, generous vacation and health benefits, retirement contribution matching, and a competitive salary range. This is a program specialist level position with a salary range of $52,000 - $57,000, commensurate with experience. Groundwork Center is located in northwest Lower Michigan, and candidates must be able and willing to be located within the region by early May of 2024.

To apply, please send a one-page cover letter and résumé to: jobs@groundworkcenter.org with the subject line: Climate and Clean Energy Specialist. Applications will be accepted until noon on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Groundwork is committed to creating a diverse workplace and seeks a wide-range of perspectives and backgrounds. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply. Groundwork is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

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