Project Manager Why you want to work here… GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service-learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.
Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.
Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.
Based in Oakland, California, GRID has 8 regional offices and affiliates serving all of California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware; GRID also works in Nicaragua, Mexico and Nepal. GRID has a dedicated staff of 350 and growing!
What it’s like at GRID
At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports the learning, growth, and well-being of all of our team members. Every member of GRID Alternatives must participate in the organization’s equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.
Why this is a big deal…
Since 2010, GRID Alternatives has worked with tribal communities across the United States to support their renewable energy goals and visions for a sustainable future through tribal-focused programs. The Tribal Program supports tribes in asserting control over their energy resources and focuses on making project implementation feasible by leveraging state and federal programs, philanthropic dollars, and partnerships with other tribes across Indian County while working in alignment to identify, develop, finance and implement solar
power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for tribal members.
Since 2018, the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), a tribal-led grantmaking program, has partnered with 85+ tribes and 50+ tribal individuals to support renewable energy development, workforce and training, and leadership development goals. The TSAF has provided tribes with access to philanthropic capital through competitive grantmaking and leadership development programs. At its core, TSAF is about more than just regranting; its about mobilizing and developing tribal solar projects and integrating workforce development and training, nation-building, and strengthening the energy resilience of tribal communities with visions for a clean energy outlook for generations to come. The upfront expenses to install and maintain solar systems are out of reach for many tribal communities, which is why TSAF funding has been critical to each grantee we have supported.
The Opportunity
The Project Manager will lead all projects and installation team management to ensure the installation of feasible, safe, and efficient energy systems. We are offering this position to support our National Tribal team and oversee our construction projects, installation team, and O&M service. This role will ensure that all project components and partners come together so residential, community, and commercial solar systems are built on time and on budget, and deliver on our mission to make the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy accessible to tribal communities. The position will report directly to the Program Director and works closely with the Director of Tribal Operations and Construction (Deputy Director)
Program Duties
- Coordinate and and manage construction-related projects with GRIDs Tribal Construction team and with different departments of the organization and external partners
- Collaborate closely with GRIDs Tribal Construction Team in delivery of grant programing including documentation, organization, and data entry
- Manage grant and contract data to ensure all contracts, funding records, prospective opportunities, paperwork and deliverables are entered into and maintained in GRIDs Salesforce CRM database and sharepoint
- Build GRID Alternatives presence and represent a positive public image of GRID Alternatives among Tribal communities and networks, including networking and speaking presentations
- Manage other tasks and projects as assigned and determined with the Tribal Program Director
- Use software systems such as Salesforce, Inspire, Concur, Paycom and Paycom Manager, Adobe, Intact, Microsoft G-suite, etc. in order to help track, sign, manage projects, information, and documents
Project Manager
- Project management responsibilities include project development, safety, scheduling, contractor and crew management, procurement, permitting, and site coordination
- Maintain complicated schedules, develop project timelines, and manage people and materials to complete jobs on schedule and within budget
- Understand and implement the project based on contract requirements: scope of work, budget, and schedule.
- Support workforce development trainings as needed
- Delegate design, procurement, and site visit tasks to other team members as necessary
- Ensure that major equipment is purchased in accordance with contracts, and on time and within budget parameters by working closely with Tribal construction staff, as well as the project design engineers and procurement staff
- Organize, conduct, and evaluate site visits to screen potential sites for solar access and determine possible safety or engineering issues.
- Create design package, engineering package, and utility interconnection agreement for each project
- Submit and monitor projects through the interconnection and engineering approval processes
- Finalize equipment, create BOM, submit procurement requests, follow up on ordering, shipping, and receiving
- Create closeout documentation for the client and for GRIDs records
- Lead warehouse and tool organization, and systems implementation for warehouse organization
- Oversee equipment safety inspections bi-annually with support of Construction Assistant(s)
- Conduct quarterly inventory/true-up of equipment in salesforce
- Assist with in the field site visits, meetings, installations, and workforce development training.
What you need to bring to this role
- 5+ years experience in residential, commercial, roof and ground mounted PV system installation, design, and troubleshooting.
- Experience leading multiple crews in PV installations and training workforce development participants.
- Demonstration of strong electrical background: understanding of electrical theory, AC and DC electrical systems, NEC Code, jurisdictional requirements, equipment specs, and installation techniques.
- Ability to design, procure, and construct successful projects under a variety of challenges related to our work.
- Excellent communication skills (ability to work with external and internal partners, ability to represent GRID Alternatives positively)
- Excellent management/leadership skills (ability to build a positive work environment within team)
- Comfortable working and leading with culturally diverse populations.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
- Passion for environmental justice, sustainability, affordable housing, the environment, or just generally grounded in making the world a better place.
- OSHA 10, OSHA 30, Equipment Operator Certifications, advanced solar and electrical theory training (SEI or similar), and NACEP.
Where you will sit & the places you may go The Tribal Team has an office and warehouse in Denver Colorado, ideally the candidate would be based close to Denver to help with operations. This position could also be remote. Travel commitment is at least 20%, this will vary depending on project type and location. Availability to work on nights and weekends may rarely be required.
GRID Alternatives provides travel compensation and work vehicle transportation. GRID will provide travel reimbursement for work-related personal vehicle use in accordance with our payroll schedule. Additionally, all applicants will need a valid drivers license and good driving record to be considered.
Let’s Talk Money
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary pay commensurate with experience within the pay band ($80k-$90k annually), plus the benefits below.
How we take care of you… Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance
Ready to Apply?
Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted. Please do not call and/or email requesting an update.
Thank you for your interest in GRID Alternatives!