Solar Energy Project Coordinator

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the Kansas City area's association of city and county governments and metropolitan planning organization, is seeking a professional to support the organization's emerging work in solar energy and regional/state-wide solar policy development.

MARC has been awarded a Rooftop Solar Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The grant calls for an aggressive set of objectives to achieve measurable improvements in market conditions for rooftop photovoltaics (PV) across the US, with an emphasis on streamlined and standardized permitting and interconnection processes. The initial grant is one year with an opportunity for two additional years of funding if certain accomplishments have been made in year 1/phase 1. The key elements in phase 1 are:

• State adoption of permitting and interconnection processes
• Development of model net metering and interconnection standards
• Development and adoption of financing options
• Adoption of model codes through local planning and zoning processes

Position Overview:

The position's responsibilities include working with local and state officials and private sector partners to design and implement solar-friendly programs; conduct research, develop policy options and assist in the implementation of policy to facilitate greater ease and efficiency in permitting, zoning and interconnection processes, assist in the design and implementation of public outreach and education programs; and facilitate stakeholder and committee participation in the formulation and implementation of community sustainability efforts. The position is funded for up to 12-36 months.

Responsibilities:

The solar energy project manager will be responsible for managing the grant deliverables, which include tasks in the following 4 areas:

1. Produce research to establish current conditions, document best practices and successful market changes;
2. Provide education to build capacity of local government officials to a heightened level of knowledge and sophistication in solar technologies, applications, and how to vastly improve permitting and zoning regulations for solar installations;
3. Explore and assist in creating finance mechanisms to make solar investments easily attainable;
4. Support and help lead statewide advocacy for improved net metering and interconnection standards.

This position will work  closely with other MARC staff to engage local government officials, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses to further regional energy conservation objectives leading to a more sustainable region.  

MARC's current energy conservation work includes support for local governments to develop and guide implementation of a regional energy efficiency and conservation strategy. MARC is assisting the city of Kansas City, Missouri, in implementing an innovative energy efficiency and conservation program designed to transform the energy retrofit market in seven neighborhoods, including the Green Impact Zone, and  the larger metropolitan market. MARC is working with a number of smaller area cities to install and test new energy efficiency street lights.

The solar energy project manager would work with, and be supported by, a team of MARC environmental and land use planning and public outreach professionals.

Illustrative examples of work:

The following represents the essential functions of this position. Additional duties may also be assigned and be essential to the successful performance of this position.

• Assist local governments in designing programs and meeting requirements under the Rooftop Solar Challenge program
• Work with MARC's Government Training Institute to design training programs for local officials and others on solar technology, renewable energy alternatives, policy development, and more flexible solar energy processes
• Assist local officials in working with the solar building industry and other stakeholder groups to develop support for new solar policy adoption at the local level
• Assist local officials and public affairs staff in developing public education and public outreach programs
• Manage grant expenditures and contracts with vendors/consultants to conduct research, best practices identification, curriculum design, financing options and other pertinent grant deliverables.
• Serve as the key liaison for MARC with the local government partners of the Solar Ready KC initiative and integrate activities, when possible, with other energy program areas.
• Work with a coalition of public and private partners to advance public policy at the local and state levels to update and support smart solar energy policies, particularly in the development and implementation of policies on interconnection processes and the availability of financing options
• Provide technical guidance and support to regional committees and task forces on solar energy
• Assist in the design and analysis of regional sustainability indicators, as they have to do with renewable energy
• Work with agency staff across departments and programs to integrate solar energy along with other energy efficiency and conservation activities into their programs and operations
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant applications to advance MARC's regional work in solar energy and other energy efficiency and conservation programs
• Administer federal and state grants, including work to meet measurement and reporting requirements
• Represent MARC at local and regional meetings and events, and make presentations to community groups

Qualifications:

The position requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Energy or Resource Management Planning, Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration, Environmental Science, or a related field. A Master's degree is strongly preferred.

The position requires at least 5 years related experience in environmental or energy planning, project, or program development. In addition, at least 2 years of the experience should be in managing projects involving resource or energy conservation, sustainability, or any equivalent.

A background in, or understanding of, local government land use planning and regulations would be beneficial for the position. Strong organizational, project management, oral and written communication skills are essential for the position.

Compensation: Annual starting salary is $47,730 to $68,320, DOQ, with comprehensive benefits package.  MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package. 

To Apply: 

For more information about the program and to apply please visit our website. 

EOE Employer /M/F/V/D