Program Associate at Great Plains Institute

Program Associate at Great Plains Institute By The Sustainability Grid Desk Location Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Type Full-Time, Hybrid / WFH Flexible Salary USD 52,000 to USD 62,000 per year, commensurate with experience Experience Entry-Level, 1 to 3 years of relevant experience Deadline Applications considered on a rolling basis Ideal Start Date: September 15, 2026 About the Company The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Headquartered in Minnesota, GPI has more than 70 professionals and operates nationally while maintaining a strong focus on the Midcontinent region. The organization works with communities, governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to advance practical climate and clean energy solutions. GPI's work is guided by five core values: trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative . The Opportunity GPI is seeking a Program Associate to support climate and clean energy planning initiatives, primarily focused on helping local governments develop and implement strategies to meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals. The position will sit within GPI's Renewable Energy team while working closely with the Communities team. The role may also provide opportunities to contribute to areas such as climate resilience, clean transportation, renewable energy co-benefits, and energy resilience. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional interested in climate policy, renewable energy, sustainability, community engagement, and local government climate action. The successful candidate will need to be organized, self-motivated, curious, community-focused, and comfortable managing multiple projects and stakeholders. What You'll Do Program Assistance Approximately 70% of the role will involve supporting program managers across climate and clean energy projects. Assist with grant administration, including proposal development and grant reporting. Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and objectives remain on track. Support the development of stakeholder tools, resources, reports, presentations, PowerPoints, and other project materials. Conduct research and analytical work involving data collection, analysis, surveys, interviews, and web-based research. Gather, organize, and analyze information using spreadsheets, databases, geographic information systems, and other analytical tools. Translate research findings into practical outputs such as case studies, blogs, short reports, and databases. Support external communications by drafting case studies and blog content, maintaining communications calendars, and updating websites. Provide additional program support as requested by program managers, senior leadership, or the Vice President of Renewable Energy. Meeting & Event Coordination Approximately 30% of the position will focus on coordinating project meetings and events. Schedule meetings with internal and external partners and support agenda development, meeting notes, follow-ups, and stakeholder outreach. Work with GPI staff and external partners to understand meeting objectives and logistical requirements. Manage virtual events and webinars, including breakout sessions, real-time surveys, and audio and video recording. Coordinate event logistics where required, including venues, registration, sponsorship, travel, accommodation, catering, meeting materials, signage, and participant support. Serve as a point of contact for speakers and participants. Conduct post-event evaluations and use feedback to improve future meetings and events. Support projects that help local governments develop and implement climate and clean energy plans. Contribute to technical assistance activities, equitable community engagement, renewable energy research, and documentation of clean energy co-benefits. Depending on interests and organizational needs, opportunities may also arise to contribute to climate resilience, clean transportation, energy resilience, and other clean energy initiatives. Requirements Core Qualifications One to three years of paid or volunteer experience working with local or state governments, community organizations, renewable energy development, sustainability, climate, or related areas. Experience working with both local government and sustainability or climate initiatives is an advantage. A bachelor's degree in environmental studies, sustainability, energy, environmental justice, or a related field is preferred. Technical Expertise Competency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint . Experience with design or desktop publishing tools such as InDesign, Illustrator, Canva , or similar platforms. Ability to manage Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings, including breakout sessions and real-time surveys. Experience with GIS, programming languages, analytical tools, or models is an advantage. Research & Communication Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills. Ability to conduct research, synthesize information, and communicate findings in clear and useful formats. Comfort engaging with a wide range of people, organizations, communities, and stakeholders. Professional Strengths Strong organizational and time-management abilities. Ability to balance multiple priorities while working with different teams and individuals. Strong project management and deadline-management skills. Ability to identify problems, communicate clearly, take initiative, and develop creative solutions. Ability to "manage up" and proactively communicate what is needed to keep projects moving. Mindset Fit GPI is looking for someone who is curious, proactive, enthusiastic, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning. The successful candidate should be passionate about addressing climate change equitably and interested in the potential of renewable energy and clean energy systems to benefit communities. GPI's entrepreneurial culture places a strong emphasis on personal responsibility, initiative, problem-solving, and delivering results. The Great Plains Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Health insurance Long-term disability insurance Short-term disability insurance Life insurance Vision insurance FSA/HSA options Paid time off Professional development allowance Communication stipend The organization also offers a flexible working environment and opportunities for professional growth. How and Where We Work The position is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota , with work-from-home flexibility. GPI's headquarters are located at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220, Minneapolis, MN . Although some work can be performed remotely, the position requires employees to work from the Minneapolis office approximately two to three days per week . Working hours are generally Monday through Friday during business hours, although occasional evenings and weekends may be required for meetings and events. Why This Role Matters Local governments are on the front lines of the climate transition. Turning climate commitments into practical action requires research, technical assistance, community engagement, planning, and strong coordination. The Program Associate will help connect these pieces by supporting communities as they develop climate and clean energy plans, implement renewable energy solutions, and pursue more equitable approaches to climate action. For an early-career sustainability professional, the role offers broad exposure to climate policy, renewable energy, local government, community engagement, research, GIS, clean energy planning, and technical assistance . Application Requirements Applicants must submit: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis , so interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. GPI states that it does not use AI tools to review or screen applications. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Sustainability Grid