Manager, Workforce Development and Equity

Company Profile

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more than 1,000 member companies and 255,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

SEIA does this by supporting pro-solar policies at the state and federal level, developing cutting-edge market research, hosting educational events and webinars, and serving as the voice of the solar and storage industry.

SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders who start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named by the Washington Post as a 2023 Top Workplace and a Best Nonprofit to Work For by the Nonprofit Times.

Position Summary:

The SEIA Equity and Workforce Development team is committed to strengthening workforce development and equity within the solar + storage industries. The Manager of Workforce and Equity Initiatives position is a logistical, analytical, and people-centric role requiring a commitment to equity and applying an equity lens to strengthen internal and external processes. The candidate will support team coordination and broad engagement with stakeholders, particularly those stakeholders involved with workforce development and economic and environmental justice at the national, regional, tribal, state, and local levels, including government agencies, tribal organizations, industry representatives, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. Other responsibilities include workforce development and/or equity program management, market assessments, project planning, coordination, and execution. This role will assist with and lead the development of programs, meetings, and events, including those that help strengthen equity and belonging within SEIA’s organizational culture. The Manager of Workforce and Equity Initiatives reports directly to the VP of Equity and Workforce Development.

Core Duties & Responsibilities:

Development and Management of Projects and Initiatives

• Manage the maintenance, growth, and improvement of SEIA’s diverse supplier programming, including SEIA’s Diverse Supplier Database and diverse supplier engagement.
• Co-design and implement projects and initiatives that assist SEIA members in attracting, recruiting, training, and retaining a diverse-at-all-levels solar + storage workforce
• Increase SEIA’s capacity to understand and communicate industry workforce needs and economic opportunities with a range of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, special projects with SEIA’s research team
• Support programming and efforts to build and maintain an inclusive culture and sense of belonging at SEIA
  
  

Equity and Workforce Stakeholder Engagement

• Help cultivate and maintain relationships with SEIA members and key external stakeholders, including education and training institutions, industry-related DEIJ-focused organizations, diverse-owned businesses and workforce conduit organizations
• Manage development and delivery of programming to increase departmental DEI knowledge building, strategy, and stakeholder engagement across SEIA departments.
• Support the facilitation of member and stakeholder committees and working groups
• Represent SEIA at designated events, conferences, meetings and workshops
• Collaborate with SEIA team members, consultants, and other stakeholders to produce and maintain visual and written content for our website, social media, newsletter, and other communications.
  
  

Team Operations and Coordination

• Create, improve, and maintain team systems for managing data and inquiries, tracking projects, and communicating cross-departmentally.
• Stay abreast of and document relevant workforce development and energy equity news, funding, resources, and best practices. Compile and summarize information for reports or presentations
• Support team with administrative activities, including correspondence, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and taking notes for meetings, as needed.
• Perform other similar tasks as requested and handle other special projects as needed
  
  

Requirements:

Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience
• Bachelor's degree
• Possess social justice & racial equity knowledge and understanding: recognize the role of race, gender, and other identities in shaping economic opportunity disparities, is driven to improve conditions, and proactively learns as it comes to race, equity, and identity
• Ability to research and an eagerness to learn about new topics
• Ability to develop and maintain project management systems
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook and online systems like Google Docs; internet fluency; strong web research skills
• Highly detail-oriented, accountable, self-starter, and able to work independently.
• Solid verbal and written communications
• Able to connect with individuals and build alliances among a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to plan and facilitate collaborative meetings and engaging presentations
• Proactive and independent work style and ability to meet deadlines
• Work or volunteer history in clean energy, environmental justice, business incubation, workforce development, job training, or related topics.
• Working knowledge of Asana or similar project management software
  
  

Working Conditions

• The position is based in Washington, D.C.
• SEIA employees in the Washington, D.C. region follow a hybrid remote and in-person office model. Employees are expected work a minimum of 3 days a week in an office environment and as needed when there are special events or meetings.
• Travel will be necessary up to approximately 15% of the time.
  
  

Compensation Range

$65,000- $75,000 annually, based on experience and excellent benefits package.

Working at SEIA

SEIA values diversity, inclusion, and equity within our organization and the promotion of these values across the solar industry. We strive to welcome different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds, regardless of job function, to create a more resilient organization supporting a strong, equitable solar industry. SEIA envisions an industry that is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity. We aim to achieve this by encouraging openness and transparency about diversity issues and progress. We will develop strategies, programs, and tools that seek to equalize opportunities within SEIA and allow for discussing and sharing best practices within the solar industry.

SEIA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. SEIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we employ staff. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SEIA is an EVERIFY employer.