Communications Coordinator
About the Position
You will be a core member of IREC’s communications team, with a particular focus on two key programs: SolSmart and EMPOWERED (described below). You will also support the day-to-day implementation of IREC’s general communications activities to increase awareness of our mission, programs, and successes among our target audiences.
The SolSmart program recognizes cities, counties, and regional organizations for making it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar. Its national team of experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities become “open for solar business.” With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), IREC leads SolSmart in partnership with the International City/County Management Association and a team of organizations with expertise in solar energy and local government. Working with the rest of the team, you will help publicize these communities’ achievements and raise the profile of the SolSmart program and brand.
EMPOWERED is a DOE-funded project to reduce barriers to the widespread adoption of renewable energy by educating safety professionals. Building, fire, and other safety officials play a critical role in enabling the deployment of renewable energy technologies, such as energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and efficient building technologies. With our partners, IREC manages a Clean Energy Clearinghouse that hosts free educational resources related to the permitting and inspection of clean energy systems to educate this audience. You’ll support the creation of outreach materials to increase awareness and use of these resources, help coordinate with our partners, and track progress toward grant milestones.
Responsibilities
SolSmart
- Serve as the initial point of contact for designated SolSmart communities. Send award plaques to new designees and compile information to document their achievements (photos, testimonial quotes, etc).
- Keep the SolSmart website updated with community accomplishments, news about the program, and other needed updates.
- Oversee SolSmart social media accounts and develop strategies for expanding their reach.
- Work with the team to write case studies of successful communities. Contribute to the SolSmart blog.
- Help develop fact sheets, reports, graphics, and other communications content as needed.
EMPOWERED
- Regularly coordinate with external partners to support them in sharing information about the project and providing them with resources for that purpose.
- Write original articles that increase awareness of the project and drive traffic to our related online resources.
- Help create resources that partners and external supporters can use to publicize the project, including template social media and email language (and potentially graphics).
- Publish new educational resources developed by the project team on our clean energy education clearinghouse website.
General IREC Communications
- Serve as the point person for email communications to IREC’s subscriber list. Write and publish regular emails about IREC news and events, including the monthly IREC and SolSmart e-newsletters, and help keep our email list up-to-date.
- Help compile metrics to assess the performance of our communications activities, including website data from Google Analytics and email data from Pardot.
- Work on other communications tasks as opportunities arise. May include writing and distributing press releases, assisting with outreach to reporters, and updating the IREC website.
Qualifications
Required
- Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
- Interest in and aptitude for working on all facets of communications for a small nonprofit, including writing projects, digital media, and media outreach
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build professional relationships with a wide variety of individuals
- 1-2 years of communications experience
- Strong computer abilities with the transferable skills to quickly get up to speed on unfamiliar applications (e.g. email clients, CRM, etc.)
- Passion and enthusiasm for clean energy and climate change work
Optional but Beneficial
- Familiarity with Wordpress and other website platforms, Google Analytics, basic knowledge of HTML
- Graphic design ability (reports, handouts, social media graphics)
- Video production and editing
- Experience in or knowledge of the clean energy industry
- Spanish language abilities
Benefits: Health, dental, vision insurance, retirement match, personal time off, flexible work schedule
To Apply: Send the following application materials by Friday, may 13, 2022 to
jobs@irecusa.org';
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- Resume
- Cover letter
- Writing sample of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates your ability to communicate complex concepts simply
About the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
IREC is a national nonprofit working toward a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC provides independent leadership and trusted clean energy expertise. Our mission is to build the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet.
In support of our mission, IREC:
- Advances state regulatory reform to enable the streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective installation of distributed energy resources, such as solar and battery storage, and the decarbonization of the transportation and building sectors.
- Provides strategy and direction to foster a growing and equitable clean energy workforce, while developing high-quality clean energy workforce training and accrediting clean energy trainers and training institutions.
- Supports local governments, communities, and individuals in taking actions that increase the deployment of clean energy and implementation of energy efficiency.
IREC operates virtually with offices in Albany, New York and Washington, D.C. Our staff are distributed across 14 states. IREC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and embracing a workplace with diverse voices and perspectives. We strongly encourage and seek applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical conditions, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.