Renewable Energy Specialist

Job Summary: The Renewable Energy Specialist will be part of a team of specialists, educators, and partners focused on outreach, developmental evaluation, and educational programming development and delivery on large-scale renewable energy engagement, planning and siting. The Specialist position will be in the Community Economic Development (CED) program of UW-Madison Extension’s Community Development Institute. With over 50 years of working with Wisconsin communities, CED engages stakeholders in building the capacity of our partners and performing outreach and research to identify best practices and discover new or emerging community economic development strategies.

The position will be integral to the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) project led by UW-Madison Extension and funded by US DOE. Wisconsin’s R-STEP will lead efforts to help communities, state, local and tribal governments, farmers, and landowners, and Extension educators understand how to plan for and bring about renewable energy siting across Wisconsin that supports community vitality and environmental quality. This position will provide outreach and educational support to communities to help them better understand the statutory landscape around renewable energy and actions communities can take to influence large-scale renewable energy development. The specialist will interface with the Energy On Wisconsin program and website in CED and with the Agriculture Institute.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Educating community leaders and stakeholders on regulations, policies, and procedures related to large-scale renewable energy planning, permitting, and siting.
• Creating and delivering educational materials and workshops to inform stakeholders about considerations for large-scale renewable energy siting, such as solar leases, developer agreements, community benefits agreements, etc.
• Coordinating a collaborative of stakeholder organizations with expertise and interest in large-scale renewable energy siting to exchange information, build their capacity and expertise, and develop information resources for renewable energy siting.
• Working with communities, including Tribes and underserved rural communities within the Justice40 Initiative, as well as a wide range of stakeholders, to facilitate community conversations to learn about their priorities, barriers, and (information, education & process) needs to advance sustainable siting of large-scale renewable energy.
• Assisting with project management, including reporting, and achieving scheduled milestones.
• Participating in peer-to-peer learning opportunities and technical assistance offerings through US DOE

The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expand access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non- biased, and inclusive organization. As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion. See our Call to Action: Extension’s Strategic Commitment to Inclusivity & Anti-Racism Work (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/). Download our informational brochure (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://extension.wisc.edu/files/2023/04/UW_Ext_brochure_web.pdf) to learn about our mission and our educational outreach.

Responsibilities: Delivers and assists with planning outreach program activities, strengthens partnerships, ensures adherence to policy, and assists with program administration to promote stable and productive relationships between the university and local community. Strives to expand and ensure access to programs, facilities, and educational services to diverse audiences. May assist with tracking and managing the outreach program budget.

• 10% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• 15% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• 20% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• 15% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• 5% May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• 5% Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers
• 20% Supports the execution of statewide efforts related to the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) grant program to meet the milestones UW-Madison Extension is committed to with US DOE’s Office of EERE

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required

Bachelor’s Degree

In Renewable Energy or Sustainability, Energy Policy, Energy Management, Engineering, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Planning, Communication Science / Behavior, energy & climate change, or related area of study

Preferred

Master’s Degree

In Renewable Energy or Sustainability, Energy Policy, Energy Management, Engineering, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Planning, Communication Science / Behavior, energy & climate change, or related areas

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of the renewable energy landscape, including solar, wind, battery energy storage, and transmission, and of climate change.
• Demonstrated use of science-based materials in technical assistance, education, and resource and program development.
• Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and mediate complex partnerships with multiple parties.
• Ability to foster and contribute to a positive work climate and effective teamwork and collaboration with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences, and partners.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in energy systems including energy efficiency and renewable energy is required.

Preferred:

• Experience with the Clean Energy Economy (energy economics), energy storage, sustainable agriculture and natural resources conservation, community engagement, Climate Change, green infrastructure, and related areas is preferred.
• Experience in project management, community engagement, and/or partnership development, including with First Nations and other underserved communities such as rural areas.
• Familiarity with energy policy and regulatory frameworks in Wisconsin and nationally.
• Communication experience with website management, writing, speaking, and social media.
• Research skills including qualitative and quantitative data analysis
• Skills to build collaborative partnerships and advocate for funding support.
• Knowledge of agriculture and natural resources management.
• Experience organizing professional workshops and events.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $75,000 ANNUAL (12 months)

Depending On Qualifications

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).

Additional Information:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the “apply now” button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

Contact:

Brandon Hofstedt

[email protected]

715-928-0888

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Outreach Specialist(OE009)

Department(s):

A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/COMM/CED/COMM EC DEV

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

303291-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .