Renewable Energy Siting Associate

Reports to: Energy Program Director

Location: Iowa (IEC has offices in Des Moines but we are open to other locations within Iowa for hybrid or remote work)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt (This position is grant-funded until July 31, 2027, with the potential for extension if funds become available)

Salary: $60,000-$65,000 per year (commensurate with experience)

About the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC)

The Iowa Environmental Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and the largest environmental coalition in the state. Through education, advocacy, and coalition-building, we raise awareness, generate action, and create large-scale change. We work on federal, state, and local public policy issues to ensure a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans.

Position Overview: We are seeking a Renewable Energy Siting Associate to spearhead outreach, research, and publication efforts to advance knowledge and effectiveness of siting wind, solar, battery storage, and transmission infrastructure in Iowa. This professional will be the primary liaison with statewide and regional collaborations working on these efforts, ensuring effective communication and coordination with stakeholders. The Siting Associate will manage the update of current model ordinance documents, collaborate with other IEC staff to develop new best practices publications, perform education and outreach to community members, develop communication tools and materials, and oversee renewable energy tours.

Key Responsibilities:

• Community and Policymaker Outreach:
• Serve as the main contact point for IEC’s participation in collaborative efforts supporting renewable energy permitting reform and regional transmission, maintaining effective communication with partners and stakeholders.
• Attend and actively participate in collaborative meetings, community education events, and advisory council sessions.
• Organize and execute policymaker tours to utility-scale solar and wind sites, ensuring productive and informative experiences.
• Perform outreach to community leaders to provide education about renewable energy and transmission benefits and to cultivate good messengers.
• Work with IEC’s communications staff to assist with the development and deployment of factual, compelling materials that tout the statewide and community benefits of renewables and transmission, and to rebut common misinformation.
• Research and Publication Development:
• Conduct research to update IEC’s model ordinance documents, ensuring they reflect current best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and create new publications and best practices guides for utility-scale battery storage siting and environmental considerations related to permitting renewable energy.
• Ensure that all publications are well-researched, peer-reviewed, and aligned with the latest standards and data.
• Write testimony for cases before the Iowa Utilities Commission in transmission dockets before the IUC and serve as an expert witness in such cases.
• Planning and Coordination:
• With the collaborative, plan and execute outreach strategies to engage a variety of key communities, ensuring their perspectives are accounted for in community discussions related to renewable energy siting.
• Coordinate with IEC staff and external partners to leverage existing expertise and resources, enhancing overall project capacity and impact.
• Support and Collaboration:
• Work closely with IEC’s existing staff to integrate their expertise into project planning and execution.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Maintain thorough documentation of project activities, including meeting notes, research findings, and publication drafts.
• Prepare reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Submit reports summarizing activities over the grant required three (3) month period that coincides with financial reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, urban planning, environmental science, communications, or another relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in planning, community outreach, or related areas, with a strong focus on renewable energy.
• Demonstrated expertise in research, publication development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with community engagement and outreach, particularly at the local level
• Proficiency in project management and coordination, with a proven track record of successful project implementation.

Benefits

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employer Matched Simple IRA
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Family Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parking, Required Travel Reimbursed
• Hybrid Work Environment (remote work will be considered for the right candidate)

Equal Opportunity Employer: Iowa Environmental Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community engaged with working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) 3% Match
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Des Moines, IA 50309