Renewable Energy Siting Associate

Date Posted: 9/4/2024
Department: Programs
Type of Employment: Full-Time

Application Deadline: October 19, 2024

Position Overview: We are seeking a Renewable Energy Siting Associate to spearhead outreach, research, and publication efforts to advance knowledge and effectiveness of siting wind, solar, battery storage and transmission lines in Iowa. This professional will be the primary liaison with statewide and regional collaborations working on these efforts, ensuring effective communication and coordination with stakeholders. The Siting Associate will manage the update of current model ordinance documents, collaborate with other IEC staff to develop new best practices publications, perform education and outreach to community members, develop communication tools, and oversee renewable energy tours. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Community and Policymaker Outreach: 

• Serve as the main contact point for IEC’s participation in a statewide renewable energy siting and a regional transmission collaborative, maintaining effective communication with partners and stakeholders.
• Attend and actively participate in collaborative meetings, community events, and advisory council sessions.
• Organize and execute policymaker tours to utility-scale solar and wind sites, ensuring productive and informative experiences. 
• Perform outreach to community leaders to provide education about renewable energy and transmission benefits and to cultivate good messengers. 

2. Research and Publication Development: 

• Conduct research to update IEC’s model ordinance documents, ensuring they reflect current best practices and regulatory requirements. 
• Develop and create new publications and best practices guides for utility-scale storage siting and environmental considerations related to siting renewable energy. 
• Ensure all publications are well-researched, peer-reviewed, and aligned with the latest standards and data. 
• Write testimony for cases before the Iowa Utilities Commission in transmission dockets before the IUC and serve as an expert witness in such cases. 

3. Planning and Coordination: 

• With the collaborative, plan and execute outreach strategies to engage environmental justice communities, ensuring their perspectives are accounted for in community discussions related to renewable energy siting. 
• Coordinate with IEC staff and external partners to leverage existing expertise and resources, enhancing overall project capacity and impact. 

4. Support and Collaboration: 

• Work closely with IEC’s existing staff to integrate their expertise into project planning and execution. 

5. Documentation and Reporting: 

• Maintain thorough documentation of project activities, including meeting notes, research findings, and publication drafts. 
• Prepare reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, urban planning, environmental science, communications, or other relevant field.  
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in planning, community outreach, or related areas, with a strong focus on renewable energy. 
• Demonstrated expertise in research, publication development, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Experience with community engagement and outreach, particularly with environmental justice communities. 
• Proficiency in project management and coordination, with a proven track record of successful project implementation. 

Benefits   

• Health and Dental Insurance 
• Life and Disability Insurance 
• Employer Matched Simple IRA 
• Flex Savings Account 
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Family Leave 
• Paid Holidays 
• Paid Parking 
• Hybrid Work Environment (remote work will be considered for the right candidate) 

Compensation: $55,000-$63,000 per year (commensurate with experience) 

Equal Opportunity Employer: Iowa Environmental Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community engaged with working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants.