Solar Navigator (Remote within CO/MN)

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 Solar Navigator is responsible for the most client-based aspects of the assistance programs offered to income-qualified homeowners and is ideally based in a community where we have an active program. This includes client outreach, program education and promotion, pre and post-program support, and reporting on client process data. This position will also assist with income-qualified (IQ) program development activities including strategic partnership building, community meetings and presentations, and homeowner engagement.

While the Navigator will primarily support projects in Denver and Boulder CO as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota, there may be opportunities to support programs in other locations within their region (CO, MN, AZ, NV, TX).

This position reports to the Director of Community Access.

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:

Program Coordination (40%):

• Build trust and rapport with clients and support them through the process of going solar.
• Orient prospective clients into the program, including conducting solar welcome series and other education modules.
• Respond to current and prospective program participants' questions in the Go Solar and income-qualified programs.
• Identify and direct key participant inquiries to the recommended resource or action step in the solar process.
• Help homeowners and solar installers navigate incentives, rebates and grants through city, state and utility run programs
• Assist program flow by carrying out communications with participants, installers, and program partners
• Connect solar homeowners to advocacy, storytelling, and engagement opportunities with SUN.
• Support collection of homeowner solar stories and media engagement with ethical story or narrative approaches.
• Track and input participant data in spreadsheets and Salesforce

Community Engagement & Outreach (25%):

• Promote the solar co-op and IQ programs in the local and regional community.
• Work with state and national team members to develop and maintain strategic partnerships that help promote programs and serve participant needs.
• Attend community events to promote SUN's pilot programs.
• Create outreach materials and ensure they are accessible, culturally sensitive, and equitable.

General support (25%):

• Actively contribute to a workplace culture aligned with SUN's values of equity, inclusion, continuous learning, action-oriented, and people-centered.
• Review client applications to determine program eligibility.
• Provide client outcome information to state and national leadership and assist in determining emerging impact on programs.
• Create, compile, and process homeowner agreements, project documents, and other client communication.
• Update program tracking and scope of work documents as needed.
• Respond to program inquiries via email, phone, and in-person as appropriate.
• Assist with government and foundation grant reporting.

Organization-wide administration (10%)

• Actively contribute to a workplace culture aligned with SUN's values of equity, inclusion, continuous learning, action-oriented, and people-centered
• Show up fully for learning, planning and activities, including all-staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions
• Work 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 or tasks assigned

Work environment

This position requires:

• Ability to occasionally lift and move equipment or packages up to 50 pounds
• Ability to remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods
• Ability to travel occasionally by car and airplane to attend or support events, workshops and staff retreats
• Ability to stand for extended periods while leading events and/or community outreach activities

Core Competencies

At SUN, thriving means more than great work, it is about how we show up for one another, embrace challenges, and live our shared values. These Core Competencies guide our success together:

• Proactive and Accountable: takes initiative, follows through on commitments, and owns outcomes.
• People-Centered Communicator: communicates clearly and respectfully in both written and verbal forms. Seeks understanding through questions, engages in open dialogue, and is receptive to giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Adaptable and Growth-Minded: embraces learning with curiosity and approaches change with flexibility. Comfortable navigating new tools, systems, and evolving ways of working.
• Collaborative and Inclusive: builds strong relationships across teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates space for all voices to contribute.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of community organizing or client support experience.
• Resident of Colorado or Minnesota.
• Strong communication, research, and analysis skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Comfortable engaging diverse stakeholders in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to disseminate complex information in an accessible way
• Interest in distributed solar energy access.
• Ability to work remotely, with frequent in-state travel and possible out of state travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish fluency
• Residence within one of these metro areas: Boulder, CO, Denver CO or Twin Cities metro area, MN
• Knowledge of Colorado, Minnesota, and western US energy issues.
• Experience in a nonprofit, social services, government, energy assistance, weatherization, or climate sector.
• Experience in customer service and working with volunteers.
• Experience with Salesforce, Google suite, Dropbox and Slack.

We anticipate accepting applications until the third week of January, 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.

Applicants may redact or remove any information in your submitted materials (such as resumes, transcripts, certifications, or CVs) that could reveal your age, including your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates, and they will not be penalized for doing so.

At SUN, our culture is rooted in our people. We believe that meaningful work happens when everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to bring their full selves to the table. Our organization is built on 5 core values of being people-centered, equitable, inclusive, action-oriented, and committed to continuous learning. These values guide not only what we do, but how we do it, through collaboration, curiosity, and care for each other and the communities we serve.

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.

SUN is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interview, hiring process, and work environment as required by law. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at jobs@solarunitedneighbors.org so we can make the necessary arrangements. Only accommodation requests will be answered, and they will be handled confidentially.

• Hourly compensation of $24.04
• Fun, remote work environment
• Flexible work hours
• Generous paid leave, vacation and wellness time
• Health (84% coverage for employees and dependents), vision, and dental insurance
• Paid holiday on all federal holidays — plus the day after Thanksgiving, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off, and two additional days of your choice
• $1,000/year professional development stipend
• $50/month phone and internet stipend
• 401(k) retirement account with match after 1 year
• Meaningful, impactful work