Program Associate, West

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation's (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate-for today and future generations.

EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity-growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, EF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.

We are working daily to create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others' lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.

EF's Fundraising Philosophy

As EF's primary clients/partners are our funders and grantees, EF commits to acting as a strategic and thought leader for our current and prospective funding partners and the field by:

1. Collaborating-and co-creating, where feasible and desired-on strategy development including the hosting and/or managing of funder collaboratives
2. Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
3. Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling and timely updates and information

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

POSITION SUMMARY

EF is looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented self-starter to join our West team as a Program Associate (PA). The PA will play a key role in supporting the West team, with a focus on California, by planning and managing projects, making and administering grants, and working with advocates and other partners to execute strategies and projects. The PA is involved in all stages of the grantmaking process, ensuring seamless execution from initiation to completion. In this role, the PA will manage grants and contracts within the regional portfolio and take the lead on developing and implementing systems and process improvements, support annual planning and budgeting processes, and contribute to the success of existing and new campaigns and projects in the region.

The PA will work with:

• Cross-programmatic teams, including Policy, Strategic Communications, and States and Regions;
• Cross-functional teams, including Operations and Strategic Partnerships; and
• Grantees, funders, consultants, and other partners outside EF.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking

• Lead EF's grantmaking process as the primary staff member overseeing the full grant cycle, from proposal development and application to compliance review and organizational approval, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Under legal guidance, serve as the lead reviewer to ensure all EF/Energy Action Fund (EAF) grant proposals and related activities comply with IRS regulations.Independently and accurately process proposals, reports, grants, contracts, and invoices/reimbursements in the grants tracking system.
  
  
  
  • Review grant proposals to ensure completeness and appropriateness of content, verifying that all required documents are included.
  • Coordinate joint grants and shared contracts as needed.
  
  
  
  
• Prepare the regional team and grantees/consultants in advance of renewal/origination meetings to ensure efficient and effective conversations through timely scheduling, agenda preparation, and any relevant research.
• Track and process grants/contracts through EF's internal systems in a timely and responsive manner.
• Work collaboratively to manage program budgets and reconcile budget to actuals for cross-programmatic grants/contracts.

Internal Coordination and Support

• Serve as a liaison to States and Regions Program team on integrating regional processes with other regions and states.
• Ensure effective coordination and integration within the region, including implementing tools and systems to support collaboration and information-sharing, organizing and running regular team check-ins, etc.
• Support annual planning and budgeting processes in the region.
• Prepare initial drafts of documents and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Support the regional team on policy, campaigns, and communications projects as availability permits.

External Coordination

• Facilitate networking and information sharing between a diverse set of grantees/consultants across the region, and build connections with national groups/experts, as appropriate.
• Assist with regional/state-wide meetings and convenings, including developing presentations and agendas.
• Represent EF and the States and Regions Program team at meetings, conferences, and other events as agreed upon with your supervisor.

Build the Team

• Generate and implement ideas for improving systems, programs, and operations.
• Embody EF's values of collaboration, service, learning, and responsibility.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.
• With support from your supervisor and others, develop a personal learning and development plan. Seek professional growth opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, trainings, and projects.
• Uphold EF's commitment to equity, integrating this value into both internal and external work.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Highly organized with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communications skills: written, verbal, and digital.
• Project management: proficient at handling multiple demands and priorities, with proven ability to follow tasks from planning, execution, and monitoring, to completion.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in customer service, thriving in a fast-faced team environment, and prioritizing competing obligations and deadlines across stakeholder groups.
• Interest in one or more of the following areas: the philanthropic sector, the nonprofit sector, issue campaigns, or public policy.
• Technical skills and digital savvy: intermediate or advanced skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, preferably in a Mac environment; familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets; and the Box platform.
• Pluses include:
  
  
  
  • Experience working on energy, climate, or California state policy.
  • Grants management experience.
  • Experience using cloud-based relational database systems, such as Salesforce.
  • Experience using Asana or other project-management software.
  
  
  
  

SUPERVISION

Reports to the Program Manager, California.

This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $93,600 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $84,600 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. EF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel two to three times a year for three to four business days at a time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

EF is a remote-first work environment. This position may be based in EF's San Francisco office or may work remotely during Pacific Standard Time hours in the U.S.

The office environments include some shared workspace, some individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. On occasion, there are activities or events after work hours.