Policy Associate, Clean Power

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, and 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 nonpartisan 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 and partners are our funders and grantees, EF commits to acting as a strategic 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 hosting or managing funder collaboratives 

1. Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change 

1. Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information  

 

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, California, 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 

The Policy Associate (PA), Clean Power, will support our Clean Power team to make and administer grants and work with advocates and other partners to execute strategies and projects. Much of the PA’s time is focused on the administration of grants and contracts. The PA will arrange meetings with grantees, consultants, and funders; track and manage the program budget; review grant proposals; draft reports; and at heart, serve as “air traffic control” for incoming communications and requests to the team. Other key duties include organizing routine funder meetings, managing projects within and outside the team, providing administrative support to the team (e.g., scheduling, drafting communications), developing and implementing systems and processes to facilitate internal and external collaboration, and maintaining budgets.  

  

The PA will work with: 

  

1. Cross-programmatic teams, including Policy, Strategic Communications, and States and Regions teams; 

1. Cross-functional teams, including Operations and Strategic Partnerships; and 

1. External grantees, funders, and partners.  

  

EF values diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization and our work. We encourage people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply. 

 

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. 

• Under legal guidance, serve as the lead reviewer to ensure all EF and Energy Action Fund, our sister 501(c)(4) organization, grant proposals comply with IRS regulations, including adherence to 501(c)(3) requirements and the exclusion of 501(c)(4) activities. 

• Independently and accurately process proposals, reports, grants, contracts, invoices, and reimbursements in the grants tracking system. 

• Review grant proposals to ensure content is complete and appropriate, and verify that all required documents are included. 

• Coordinate joint grants and shared contracts as needed. 

• Conduct due diligence on proposals and prospective grantees, engaging directly with grantees and consultants to address questions, gather additional information, and request revisions as necessary. 

• Research and solicit proposals from potential new grantees with minimal assistance. 

• Collect, track, and synthesize grantee insights for use in reports. 

• Prepare the Clean Grid team, along with grantees and consultants, in advance of meetings to help deliver effective conversations, including circulating materials, flagging relevant questions, coordinating on meeting agendas, and setting clear expectations for meeting outcomes. 

• Assist in conducting research and performing due diligence on proposals or prospective grantees. Directly engage with grantees and consultants to seek additional information as needed. 

• Work collaboratively to manage program budgets and reconcile budgets to actuals for cross-programmatic grants.  

 

Internal Support and Coordination 

• Foster effective coordination and integration within the Clean Power team, including using tools and systems to support collaboration and information-sharing (e.g., Asana, Slack) and supporting regular team check-ins. 

• Schedule calls and meetings as needed and handle meeting logistics (e.g., arrange locations, prepare the technology interface, ensure that agendas are circulated in advance, support meeting follow-up). 

• Prepare initial drafts of documents and presentations for internal and external audiences, such as board dockets, funder reports, proposals, and presentations. 

• Serve as a liaison to other EF teams to ensure that the Clean Power team is fully integrated with other National team programs. 

• Support the team on campaigns and communications projects as availability permits. 

 

External Coordination 

• Facilitate networking and information-sharing between a culturally diverse set of grantees and consultants across the region, and build connections with national groups or experts, as appropriate. 

• Organize or support regional and state-wide meetings and convenings, including developing presentations and agendas. 

• Represent EF and the Clean Power Program at meetings, conferences, and other events, as agreed upon with your supervisor. 

 

Building the Team 

• Generate and implement ideas for improving systems, programs, and operations. 

• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment. 

• Train new employees on the grantmaking process. 

• With support from your supervisor and others, develop a personal learning and development plan. Seek professional growth opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, training, and projects. 

• Uphold EF’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, integrating these values into both internal and external work. 

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

 

• Highly organized with keen attention to detail. 

• Exceptional time management. 

• Apt written, verbal, and digital communications skills. 

• Proficient at handling multiple demands: experience supporting multiple priorities and juggling a variety of tasks for one or more individuals in a team environment. 

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in customer service and ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and prioritize competing obligations. 

• Interest in one or more of the following areas: the philanthropic sector, the non-profit sector, issue campaigns, public policy, strategic communications, or renewable energy and the electric grid. A pre-existing knowledge or interest in clean energy or climate is not required. 

• Pluses include: 

• Experience working on diversity, equity, and inclusion       

• Project management experience 

• Grants management experience 

• Internet savvy (e.g., digital and social media, online survey tools)  

• Understanding of and appreciation for the opportunities and challenges of transforming and decarbonizing the electric grid 

• Technical skills: 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. Experience using cloud-based relational database systems, such as Salesforce, is also a plus.  

 

SUPERVISION 

Reports to the Program Director, Clean Power.  

 

COMPENSATION 

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 four 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 any of EF’s offices or may work remotely from anywhere 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.