Program Coordinator/Land Use & Energy Planner

Program/Role: Program Coordinator/Land Use and Energy Planner 

Location: Hybrid/work from home (WFH) flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN. 

Reports to: Brian Ross, AICP, VP, Renewable Energy 

Type of Position: Full-time position 

Ideal start date: October 1st, 2024 

Compensation: Salary range: $62K-$73K, commensurate with experience. Benefits include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend. 

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE 

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 70 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative: 

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests. 

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes. 

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change. 

THIS POSITION:  

GPI’s Renewable Energy Program goal is to remove barriers to equitable deployment of renewable energy from the rooftop to large-scale wind, solar, and renewable hydrogen development. We help communities, NGOs, and states on clean-energy-based climate solutions that benefit host communities and build climate resilience. The team’s work includes a variety of projects, including developing permitting and siting best practices, providing technical assistance, facilitating community input processes, integrating renewable goals into local planning efforts.  

To further support our audacious mission and vision, GPI is hiring a Renewable Energy/Land Use Planner position.?The Renewable Energy Planner must be both knowledgeable and passionate about land use, natural resources, climate issues, and how communities take action. The successful applicant must enjoy working in an ever-changing environment that is mission-driven and consensus-oriented.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities, perform a wide variety of tasks, utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of work, and possess the ability to identify and address urgent needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Hours are flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day. Some travel and evening work may be required. The position is open to candidates willing to be based in the Twin Cities or within reasonable distance; employees are encouraged to work at least two days per week in the GPI Minneapolis office and be able to participate in stakeholder engagement within driving distance of Minnesota.  

JOB DUTIES: 

1. (50%) Support GPI’s renewable energy programs: GPI is partner to several projects to remove barriers to and accelerate deployment of renewable energy: SolSmart, WindWise, PV-SuCCESS, R-STEP, and the new Energy Futures “DWSMA” solar project, These projects largely focus on planning and permitting processes at the local and state level. The RE Planner will contribute to GPI’s role as a lead or technical assistance partner by recruiting and engaging with communities, preparing for and conducting webinars, providing one-on-one technical assistance, and conducting supporting research. This may involve conducting or supporting community workshops or trainings, completing zoning or plan reviews, creating guides and templates, recruiting community or Tribal participation, assisting with funding opportunities for community projects, and facilitating meetings and network development. Work will include engaging a diversity of communities, from urban to rural, across the ideological spectrum, and from small communities with few resources to large, well-resourced communities. Topic areas include innovative and emerging siting concepts such as ecovoltaics, agrivoltaics, brightfield development on landfills and former mine lands, and community-owned projects. Many of these programs are funded into 2027.   
2. (30%) Support work on solutions to land use and natural resource issues associated with clean energy deployment: The need for new clean sources of electric generation is growing as new demands to charge electric vehicles, electrify building heating, and convert industrial process to clean fuels increase. Given the decentralized nature of wind and solar resources, development will occur throughout the nation and in most communities, where it is frequently a new type of development and an unfamiliar land use. The RE Planner will support GPI’s work in helping communities and non-energy stakeholders navigate to solutions that benefit both the host community and renewable deployment. The successful candidate will work on clean energy conflicts and permitting standards and best practices. Land uses include for small-scale (rooftop) solar, small-scale rural wind, battery deployment in communities and on the grid, large-scale wind and solar, and emerging technologies such as clean hydrogen. Specific areas of work could include researching and implementing best practices for integrating solar or wind energy with natural systems, agricultural practices, and community development; providing technical assistance to communities or state agencies on real and perceived conflicts between renewable energy and non-energy priorities; conducting outreach to community organizations or local government staff. 
3. (20%) Support activities:  The RE Planner will contribute to administrative and support tasks, working closely with other program and administrative staff on meeting planning, outreach, note taking and summaries, research, fundraising, and technical assistance. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant proven skills and experience 
• 2-3 years working experience in a land use planning position, community development department, long-range planning, or related field 
• Experience with urban or rural planning, including comprehensive or master planning and zoning code review 
• Knowledge of energy issues, natural resource issues, or agriculture  
• Our ideal candidate will have experience with some or all of the following: ArcGIS and relevant platforms, data acquisition and analysis, community engagement or facilitation, and project management systems 
• Experience working on a diverse team and with different communication styles? 
• Self-motivated, takes initiative 
• Excellent time, deadline, and project management skills with ability to multi-task 
• Problem-solving skills: ability to identify solutions to challenges that arise  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint) 
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute 

EQUIPMENT USED: 

This position involves use of a desktop computer or laptop, copier, calculator, printer, telephone. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: 

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:  

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had. 

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.