Rural Program Associate (Remote within Nevada) – Virtual/Remote Full Time

About the Position

The Virtual Power Plant Regulatory Lead will advocate for our model Virtual Power Plant (VPP) policies in administrative proceedings before public utility commissions around the country. In collaboration with SUN’s VPP team staff and state teams, the Regulatory Lead will help develop, carry out, and support state regulatory campaigns to advance VPPs. This work will focus on expanding equitable access to distributed solar and storage through upfront incentives, performance-based compensation, and open access program design.

The Regulatory Lead will also champion SUN’s efforts to research and draft model language regarding data center “bring your own capacity” programs as a companion to our VPP framework and will further inform and build out SUN’s organizational position around data centers in this fast-evolving policy space.

This position will report to the Virtual Power Plant Policy Director.

Please include a resume and a cover letter with your application.
Benefits
Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401K with company match, Flexible work schedule, Paid holidays, Paid sick leave, Paid time off, Phone/Internet Stipend
Culture
History of SUN

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.

SUN’s values and culture

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.

We are proud to foster a workplace where diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences are celebrated. We prioritize employee well-being with flexible work environments, growth and development opportunities, and a strong sense of shared purpose. At SUN, we are more than a workplace, we’re a community that values people, embraces progress, and believes in doing the right thing. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re looking to be part of a mission-driven organization that truly invests in its team, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include:
Regulatory campaign engagement (70%):

• Represent SUN in administrative public utility commission proceedings, including through drafting organizational comments, submitting expert testimony, or preparing other regulatory filings.
• Collaborate with community, advocacy, and solar industry partners, and help, lead or support coalition meetings, as necessary.Work with the Policy & Advocacy Team to engage and mobilize SUN’s bipartisan network of solar homeowners and advocates by creating constituent engagement plans to complement SUN’s advocacy within regulatory proceedings.
• Work with the Communications Team to develop advocacy alerts, web pages and blogs, earned media pieces, and paid and organic social media.
• Help build broad and robust networks to support SUN’s VPP policies and engage in public outreach via webinars, conferences, and events to socialize the products, learnings, and findings of our regulatory initiatives and campaigns.
• Assist with tracking and reporting for grant reporting, annual reports, etc.

Data Center policy support (20%)

• Support SUN’s emerging work on data center policy by researching and drafting model language regarding data center “bring your own capacity” programs as a companion to our VPP model policy.
• Help identify strategic utility commission proceeding opportunities regarding data centers for SUN to participate in.
• Contribute technical expertise and help inform strategy for SUN’s data center working group to refine organizational policy regarding data centers.
• Promote our VPP and data center policies with regulators, policy advocates, solar industry, community leaders, and others.

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 and planning and activities, including all-staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions.
• Coordinate and work with external consultants as needed.
• 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, travel planning, and HR paperwork.
• Other projects or tasks as assigned.

Work environment This position requires the ability to:

• Occasionally lift and move equipment or packages up to 50 pounds
• Remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods
• Travel occasionally by car and airplane to attend or support events, workshops and staff retreats
• Stand for extended periods while supporting events and/or community outreach activities

Core CompetenciesAt 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 4 years of participation and engagement in public utility commission regulatory proceedings.
• Experience drafting or contributing to regulatory filings, comments, or testimony.
• Ability to present complex policies to a variety of audiences, including public utility commissioners and their staff, media, and the general public.
• Strong analytic and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and strategically
• Keen sense on how to build the strategy, alliances, narrative, and technical analysis necessary to be successful in a public utility commission proceeding.
• Experience in building and being a productive member of complex internal and external teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for creating an equitable energy system where everyone gets to make and benefit from their own local power.
• Knowledge of distributed solar, data center, and/or VPP policies and regulatory proceedings.
• Experience in advocacy campaigns, including strategies and tactics to engage and mobilize activists and working with coalition partners in regulatory arenas.
• Experience in working with or representing nonprofit organizations.
• Experience in working well in remote/distributed teams.
• Spanish language proficiency.

Benefits

• Salary compensation from $95,000 – $105,000 based on experience
• Fun, remote work environment
• Flexible work hours
• Generous paid leave, vacation and wellness time
• Medical (84%-99% 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

We anticipate accepting applications until the second week of May, 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.
Requirements
Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
Minimum 4 years of participation and engagement in public utility commission regulatory proceedings.
Experience drafting or contributing to regulatory filings, comments, or testimony.
Ability to present complex policies to a variety of audiences, including public utility commissioners and their staff, media, and the general public.
Strong analytic and writing skills.
Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and strategically
Keen sense on how to build the strategy, alliances, narrative, and technical analysis necessary to be successful in a public utility commission proceeding.
Experience in building and being a productive member of complex internal and external teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge in: Computer skills
Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. 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.

Requisition #cmoddvgxv8taj0ilh5x1dypn3