ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people-first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns.

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political a?liation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that quali?ed disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

The Interior West Director of Indigenous Partnerships will support Vote Solar’s Interior West regional team by incorporating Indigenous engagement and partnership work within the campaign and regulatory work. The Interior West Director of Indigenous Partnerships will also partner with the Access & Equity Team to incorporate Indigenous partnership learnings into Vote Solar’s deployment of the Just Partnership Principles. To support successful public-facing campaigns in legislative and regulatory arenas, you will be expected to conduct outreach with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to uplift Indigenous voices within the energy space, help identify policy priorities, manage coalitions, provide feedback on policy negotiations, and inform campaign strategy.

The goals of this role are to 1) become a trusted partner by Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples in the development of equitable solar policy solutions; 2) to recognize the disparities in energy justice and create and pass solar policy that centers marginalized groups, including Tribal Nations and Indigenous people; 3) to integrate feedback from outreach and consultation efforts into campaign development and implementation across Vote Solar; 4) to be a leader among other environmental and energy-focused groups as a representative of Indigenous partnerships; and 5) identify and implement strategies to ensure that Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities are leading voices in shaping policy and regulatory conversations and outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

OUTREACH WITH TRIBAL NATIONS AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES (40%)

• Determine and deliver equitable Indigenous outreach and policy development means for priority campaigns and regulatory proceedings. Ensure that outreach and policy development processes fulfill the needs and concerns identified by Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples.
• Initiate outreach to Tribal government representatives and Indigenous-led groups and organizations to learn more about the priorities and existing work of those entities and communities and to share information on Vote Solar’s work in the state. From these interactions, determine opportunities for engagement in shared activities.
• Become a trusted and consistent partner to Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups by providing information and transparency in solar and other clean energy policy campaigns, including research, relevant updates, next steps, and action alerts.
• Plan events, engagement opportunities, and workshops to promote education and participation for Indigenous audiences.
• As appropriate, bridge outreach conducted with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities with broader coalitions of stakeholders operating on priority campaigns and regulatory proceedings. Identify mutual efforts and concerns and lead/join coalitions as appropriate.
• Support connections and relationship building between Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, coalition partner organizations, utilities and rural cooperatives, solar industry representatives, and statewide entities and partners as needed for solar policy development.

CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT (40%)

• Understand the unique history of Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples in the area of focus, including past and ongoing experiences, concerns, and goals with regard to energy.
• Identify current clean energy campaigns led by Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups to find opportunities for Vote Solar to support their priorities.
• Work with Regional and Regulatory Directors to determine the best strategies and approaches to thoughtfully build partnerships, based on trust, inclusive engagement and authentic mutual support with equity, clean energy industry, and environmental organizations, among others.
• Incorporate Indigenous voices and preferences into statewide policy development processes and assess specific policy solutions to support the growth of solar to benefit Indigenous people.
• Facilitate a feedback process from Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in the development of statewide policy efforts which could have a direct or tangential impact on Tribal energy sovereignty.
• Identify an appropriate process to both elevate and incorporate feedback while also balancing any relevant timelines, policy priorities, and coalition dynamics.

INTERNAL LEARNING AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP (10%)

• Researching, developing, and maintaining a working knowledge of existing and new resources, tools, and best practices, relevant to the other roles and responsibilities of the Director of Indigenous Partnerships, in order to disseminate across the organization.
• In collaboration with the Senior Regional Director, planning and executing learning opportunities for the Interior West regional team and National Programs team as it relates to Indigenous engagement.
• Make recommendations to the regional team about equitable processes to use within coalitions to increase the development of inclusive campaigns and just partnerships.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE (10%)

• Continue personal learning and contributions to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.