Director of Government Affairs

The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) is excited to announce an opportunity for a Director of Government Affairs. This role will develop new community solar markets across the country by building relationships with state legislators and regulators, developing and engaging local coalitions, and executing public affairs strategies all with the goal of passing legislation that enables competitive community solar. You will report to the Vice President of Government & Public Affairs. The anticipated start date for this position is immediate.

CCSA is a fast paced, mission driven, collegial and fun work environment. The ideal candidate will share CCSA’s mission to Democratize solar energy and promote energy competition and choice, and fit CCSA’s fast paced and self-starting culture. Our team members are passionate about competition and choice in energy markets and expanding access to renewable energy solutions to every American energy consumer, and we are constantly striving to improve and better ourselves. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. If you will enjoy working in a growing organization with a collegial work environment, and in a fast paced and self-starting culture, you are probably a great fit for our team!

What you will be doing?

• Lead and facilitate regular CCSA Tier 2 Market Committee calls to provide updates to CCSA members and manage feedback related to legislative affairs in CCSA’s Tier 2 markets.
• Direct legislative campaigns in Tier 2 markets by partnering with local organizations to build and manage local coalitions, manage on the ground consultants and lobbyists, execute local communications and grassroots efforts, provide educational materials and technical assistance, educate and lobby lawmakers, and execute other tactics necessary to build momentum for our
  issue
• Work with conservative coalitions, stakeholders and policymakers in CCSA’s Tier 2 Markets which may include Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Washington (Democrat majority), Louisiana and Arizona
• Serve as the resident expert - or at least a conduit to CCSA’s resident experts - for community solar throughout all our Tier 2 states
• Represent CCSA at in person and virtual legislative and stakeholder events (primarily state and regional-level)
• Work with VP of Government & Public Affairs to develop best-in-class political giving strategies in our Tier 2 states using PAC money, if possible, and otherwise raising funds independently
• Provide input into long-term planning for industry and organization
• Develop & deliver periodic reports and updates to members regarding plans and results
• Serve in capacity as deputy to the VP of Government & Public Affairs for coverage of other states as needed

What You Bring to CCSA:

• Must be goal-motivated, adaptable, a strategic thinker, self-starter, and detail-oriented
• Proven track record of running and winning legislative campaigns including managing lobbyists, building coalitions, and running public affairs and communications campaigns.
• Some experience managing political giving in states, including developing giving strategies and use of Political Action Committees
• Ability to efficiently manage CCSA Member input within organizational Committee process; working alongside the Board of Directors, Members and broader coalitions of local stakeholders
• Ability to co-lead thought leadership development of policy positions of CCSA with the VP of Government & Public Affairs
• Excellent ability to speak publicly and write clearly, accurately, and persuasively
• Ability to identify, build rapport, and keep contact with key energy policy stakeholders
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently
• Ability to multitask on projects across several jurisdictions simultaneously
• Resourcefulness in solving problems with limited resources
• Excellent people skills and an upbeat and enthusiastic attitude

Requirements:

• Minimum 7+ years running government affairs campaigns with a proven track record of success
• Strong communications and strategic instincts
• Potential for ~30% travel requirement to state capitals across the country (total travel time depends on where the candidate is based and cadence of state campaigns)
• Self-starter, with strong political instincts, and ability to work remotely and while traveling
• Familiarity with state lobbying ethics rules and responsibility to file appropriate registrations and disclosures
• Preferred: Experience working in electricity markets with focus on solar energy policy

Reports To: Vice President of Government & Public Affairs

The perks of working at CCSA:

• Base salary range is between $120,000-$150,000 with the opportunity to participate in an additional performance incentive plan. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge and skills of application and alignment with market data.
• This position also offers the opportunity for promotion and growth within CCSA
• Comprehensive benefits include health insurance (90% premiums paid for employees and 75% premiums paid for dependents); 100% paid vision and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• 3% retirement plan contribution
• Company sponsored short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Paid parental leave (eligible after 6 months of employment)
• 3 weeks paid vacation (at start) and 11 paid holidays
• Sabbatical policy
• Professional coaching opportunities
• A fun and collegial environment
• Weekly all-hands company meeting keeps you engaged and connected to the organization and your team members

Location:

• Remote - CCSA is a remote-first organization, Flexible worksite - e.g. home or shared workspace
• Preference may be given to candidates that are in close range to a major airport and are located in our Tier 2 market areas (may be Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Washington, Louisiana and/or Arizona)

Applications Process:

Please send Cover Letter, Resume and Writing Sample to CCSA VP of Government & Public Affairs, Matt Hargarten (careers@communitysolaraccess.org) with email header “CCSA Director of Government Affairs – YOUR NAME”.

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire.

CCSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Team Values

• Focus on Results. We have clear and ambitious goals that drive everything we do on a daily basis. Every day we ask ourselves the question: will the actions I take achieve results that get me closer to my goals? If the answer is yes, then we push forward. Setbacks happen and not everything is in our control, but we focus on what we can control and move toward our goals one victory at a time.
• Foster Dialogue. We debate ideas, not people. We take the energy of our differences and channel it toward something that has never been created before. The problems we tackle are colorful and complex. To drive to the right  decision, we believe in respectfully and productively debating ideas and leaving our egos at the door.
• Put people first. We prioritize the well-being of our team and take the approach of the “whole person”. We believe that we bring our best selves to our professional lives when we are balanced and taking care of ourselves and each other.
• Inclusivity. We deeply value diversity of thought, background, and lived experience – and through this is where our most transformative, lasting innovation grows. As our industry expands, we are committed to actively bringing new people, businesses, and localities into the fold, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented.
• Member Service. We represent the collective voice of our members, who want to see community solar expand and grow. We provide a valuable service to our member community, keeping them up to date on our campaigns and policy initiatives, which helps them plan and grow their businesses. We also serve members by amplifying their collective voice to expand their impact in the market.

Mission and Core Principles

CCSA is a national Coalition of businesses and nonprofits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. Our mission is to empower every American energy consumer with the option to choose local, clean, and affordable community solar. We work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymakers to develop and implement policies and best practices that ensure community solar programs provide a win, win, win for all, starting
with the customer.

CCSA’s Core Principles are a concise set of overarching principles that guide organizational vision, mission, core policies, and culture. CCSA’s elected Board is responsible for developing and maintaining the Core Principles, with at minimum, an annual audit. Process and decision making of Core Principles is done based on Board governance rules set out in the Bylaws of the organization.

• Opportunity: Open, expand, and protect competitive, sustainable community solar markets through comprehensive engagement in all aspects of community solar market design, enablement and innovation.
• Access: Allow all consumers the choice to participate in and receive a tangible economic benefit from new community solar assets, and ensure those economic benefits are communicated and realized in a clear, timely and transparent manner.
• Integrity: Guarantee community solar market rules create a safe, reliable marketplace for consumers to make informed choices for products that work for their needs.
• Value: Ensure project compensation is reflective of the full value of the locally-sited energy produced by community solar projects.
• Efficiency: Champion transparent, non-discriminatory, and evidence-based rules on siting and interconnection for expedient and fair community solar project development.