Indiana Rural Associate (Remote within Indiana)

Our energy system is on the brink of a major transformation, and we're looking for someone to help us ensure this new system puts rooftop solar energy at the cornerstone!

About Us!

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit that started more than 15 years ago with a simple question. "Mom, can we go solar?" Since then, we've helped tens of thousands of people benefit from solar energy. We are dedicated to creating a clean, equitable, resilient energy system that benefits everyone - by helping people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights.

About the Position

The Indiana Rural Associate will work closely with the Indiana Team, and the regional support team to carry out SUN's goals in the state of Indiana. This position will lead a team of 4-6 volunteer deep engagement canvassers in Tippecanoe County talking to local residents from all walks of life on the clean energy transition on their doorsteps. This position will oversee a deep canvassing program that furthers strategic policy implementation focused on utility scale solar siting.

The Rural Associate will lead an ongoing deep canvassing program that includes: working with SUN team members and external partners to develop a successful script and other materials as needed; having deep canvass conversations; collecting and tracking data; regularly evaluating and tracking learnings; developing staff capacity and leadership; developing and running training programs for staff and volunteers; communicating learnings to partner organizations to use in adjacent campaign tactics; and organizing escalating action-taking by residents.

This position is funded for a 1-year term, with the potential for extension based on the availability of grant funding, and reports to the Senior Indiana Program Director.

How to apply: If you think this job might be for you, please apply on our job board! Please include a resume with your application. A cover letter is optional; however, it can be a helpful way for you to communicate your fitness for the position if you think that may not be obvious from your resume.

Job responsibilities include:

Community Organizing & Advocacy (15%):

• Organize and engage with a diverse range of Indiana solar supporters in urban, suburban, and rural communities, with an emphasis on engaging solar supporters in rural areas, to build a base of solar advocates to help advance pro-solar policies in the target county
• Engage with legislators, local governments, and partner organizations to advance the state program's policy and programmatic goals.
• Represent the Indiana Program in coalitions and at in-person and digital events
• Grow and facilitate ongoing public education and volunteer engagement through regular communications, public speaking at events, and leadership development that support the state program's policy and programmatic goals

Canvassing Program (75%):

• Develop and lead a deep engagement canvassing program with staff on the phones and at doorsParticipate in script iteration to finalize a successful script
• Recruit, organize, coordinate, and train volunteers and staff to engage members of the public on the clean energy transition using deep canvassing best practices
• Foster a supportive team culture that sustains canvasser engagement and resilience, even through emotionally challenging conversations
• Deliver public narrative communications in various formats
• Track the program's progress against key performance metrics using a shared database
• Document learnings, challenges, and successes from the program, and share with identified partner organizations

Organization-wide administration (10%)

• Show up fully for learning and planning and activities, including all-staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions Coordinating with external consultants as needed to ensure departmental goals are clearly communicated and consistently managed
• Facilitate meetings, prepare agendas, and take notes
• As a key member of the team, contribute to brainstorming, developing, and executing new ideas
• Manage your own regular administration, including timely submission of timesheets, receipts, reimbursements, scheduling, traveling planning, and HR paperwork
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience (professionally or as a volunteer) with grassroots organizing, event planning, project management, online engagement, and/or communications
• Resident of, or located within an hour of, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
• Demonstrated ability to connect and build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds, particularly in rural or politically mixed communities
• Ability to work remotely in an action-oriented environment, with frequent in-state travel and overnight stays within Indiana (25%) and biannual travel to staff retreats elsewhere in the United States
• Willingness and availability to occasionally work evenings and weekends, including some overtime, as needed.
• Proficient computer skills including online facilitation and comfort with social media
• Ability to manage multiple projects from development through completion
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a commitment to respectful, people-centered dialogue

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of social, energy, and/or environmental issues affecting IndianaAbility to collaborate, network, and build working relationships
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Experience engaging rural communities or navigating rural/urban cultural dynamics
• Skilled in active listening and navigating difficult conversations with empathy and respect
• Demonstrated ability to build trust across lines of difference (political, racial, geographic, etc.)
• Comfortable learning through trial and error, and open to giving and receiving feedback
• Emotional maturity and resilience in the face of challenging dialogue or resistance

We anticipate accepting applications until first week of June, with the first review of candidates next week. However, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible, as we may begin interviews on a rolling basis.

SUN welcomes candidates of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with a non-traditional education. We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply.