Updated: April 1, 2021 (newest at the top, oldest at the bottom)

Job Opportunity with the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA)

Position: ISEA Online Permitting Outreach Coordinator (Contract Position) - Remote

Posted by ISEA: April 1, 2021

Overview: The Illinois Solar Energy Association is seeking an experienced individual to introduce and expand online solar permitting across Illinois. This part-time, contract position will involve working directly with local permitting authorities to promote the adoption of an online permitting platform that can reduce costs and help expand solar installations throughout the state.

Background: Securing construction permits for solar installations can be time-consuming and costly for businesses and residents, making permitting one of the largest “soft-costs” facing the solar industry today. Moving jurisdictions to online permitting can greatly reduce staff time and reduce costs, helping to smooth the transition to a clean energy economy.

Numerous jurisdictions now offer online or electronic permit applications, but none offer instantaneous permits. Typically jurisdictions take 48-72 hours for approval, but the range between jurisdictions can be drastic. Likewise, it is not uncommon for installers to wait weeks for an inspection.

To meet this challenge, ISEA has received a grant to promote SolarAPP, an online solar permitting platform created at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Position Details: The Outreach Coordinator will work directly under ISEA’s Executive Director to educate municipalities (villages, towns, cities, counties) about the value SolarAPP can bring to Illinois communities.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience in local-level solar permitting and will work closely with the ISEA’s Legislative Lead, Board of Directors and other contractors as needed. The Outreach Lead will work approximately 30 hours/week on this project from March 1 - Dec 31, 2021. This is a fully remote position, although some in-person meetings may be required later in the year.

Specific duties will include:

• Meeting with local-level officials (city managers, permitting departments, etc.) to explain the benefits of SolarAPP and encourage the jurisdiction to adopt SolarAPP as their primary permitting system for solar installations

• Engage with thought leaders in the state, including the 42 municipalities that have already received SolSmart designation from the US Department of Energy, as well as the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and others
  

• Develop local-level champions for SolarAPP and work with these early-adopters to encourage peers at other Illinois jurisdictions to adopt the software as well

• Assist jurisdictions in implementing SolarAPP in their communities

To respond to this position please send your resume and cover letter to Lesley.mccain@illinoissolar.org using the subject line –SolarAPP Consulting Position

Job Opportunity with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute

Position: Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist - Urbana-Champaign, IL

Posted by ISEA: March 29, 2021

Overview: The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse.

ISTC is seeking to hire a Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Environmental Analysis to compile and analyze research data for studies of material waste streams that have been identified as emerging waste concerns. This will include evaluating innovative technologies, programs, policies, and market trends on topics related to renewable energy infrastructures.

Click here to learn more about the position and to apply.

Applications must be received by April 23, 2021.

Job Opportunity with GRNE Solar

Position: Sales Consultant - Palatine, IL

Posted by ISEA: March 25, 2021

Overview: Since 2012, GRNE Solar has been designing and installing commercial and residential solar systems across the Midwest. With our rapid growth, our team is ready to welcome a dynamic, driven person to sell solar systems and be the point-person for the sales department. This position is for a people-oriented individual who is focused on adding value to our customers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Accomplish individual sales goals as set by the Director of Marketing & Business Development
• Self-generate appointments when not utilizing company appointments.
• The ability to educate customers thoroughly.
• Manage the day-to-day of the sales office which includes customer communication, scheduling, securing permits, and other tasks as requested.
• Develop reporting practices (qualitative and quantitative) to present to CEOs.
• Coordinate and facilitate weekly meetings with Branch Manager to ensure goals are met.
• Work closely with the leadership team to complete company objectives.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

• 4-years of sales experience with proven results. Solar sales experience preferred.

• The drive to take the company’s goals to the next level.

• A professional who is committed to the development of others in the sales field.

• Ability self-generate sales leads.

• Strong customer service skills with proven customer satisfaction.

• Assist in recruiting, management and training of new sales representatives.

• A dynamic individual who can operate in the field and in the office.

• High attention to detail and accuracy when working internally with the team and externally with customers.

• Must have reliable transportation.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Phone Reimbursement
• 401(k)
• Health Insurance

Compensation is commission-based. 

Learn more about GRNE Solar at their website: www.grnesolar.com

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to hr@grnesolar.com.

Job Opportunity with Simpleray

Position: Solar Sales Engineering Lead - Remote

Posted by ISEA: March 25, 2021

Overview: Lead the team that empowers our sales organization to close deals by developing tailored solar solutions and delivering a remarkable experience to our customers.

What we’re looking for in our Sales Engineering (Estimating & Quoting) Lead:

Previous Experience: 

• Solar system design (C&I Focused Experience preferred)
• Solar electrical & mechanical estimating (C&I Focused Experience preferred)
• Experience with solar financing vehicles such as PPAs & Leases
• Management experience & a proven track record is enabling others to succeed 
• Hands-on solar construction experience is a plus
• Sales experience experience is a plus

Soft Skills:

• Great communicator with a knack for simplifying complex problems
• Action-oriented
• Organized 
• Tech savvy
• High EQ

Responsibilities:

• Manage the incoming quote request queue
  • Review work, assign it to the person with the right skillset; and make sure it gets completed with quality and accuracy, as well as in a timely manner
• Work alongside your design & estimating engineers to make sure things go right
  • This means both reviewing/feedbacking their work and handling some of the workload yourself
• Work tirelessly to grow the skills and level up the quality of your team 
• Handle complex live quotes yourself  — this often means you’ll be on video calls with the customer & sales team 
• Share your knowledge at company events by training & educating others to empower our sales team and others in the organization with greater technical prowess
• Be a great manager for the team you oversee which includes everything from 1:1s to performance management to ensuring SOPs are documented 

How we’ll measure your success: 

• Growth (technical knowledge, culture, & soft skills) of the people on your team
• Contribution of creative ideas that solve complex problems and help us win more deals
• Quote turnaround time 
• Pricing accuracy 
• Satisfaction from sales team members & prospective customers

About Simpleray:

We are a passionate, tech-savvy, distributed team of clean energy experts that are on a mission to be America’s most trusted & forward-thinking clean energy partner. We aren’t like most solar companies and pride ourselves on delivering remarkable experiences that positively impact our customers bottom line. If you’re interested in joining a smart, dedicated group of people to energize the adoption of clean energy... you’re the person we’re looking for!

Click Here to Apply!

Job Opportunity with StraightUp Solar

Position: Solar Support Specialist - St. Louis, MO

Posted by ISEA: March 4, 2021

Overview: StraightUp Solar, a fast-growing, locally-owned solar installation company, is seeking a Solar Support Specialist for its St. Louis, MO office.

The goal of this position is to help our customers Go Solar! that involves educating and assisting them in finding the right "solar solution" for their building. This requires a unique combination of technical and communication skills, passion and excitement for our customer's choice to put solar PV on their home or business.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Processing solar inquiry calls
• Solar education and dispelling solar myths
• Gathering energy usage and other site specific information
• Populating and Managing Customer Relationship Management System

You'll thrive in this job if you're a good communicator, can authentically share your passion for solar with our customers, have proven systems for keeping track of your deliverables and keep organized, and ability to excel in a team environment where your performance is measured by the success of all.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Outstanding communication, customer service and follow-up skills and experience.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Must be highly organized with extreme attention to detail for logging and communicating project details.
  

• Present a consistent positive attitude, exceptional teamwork with reliable attendance.
  

• Superior self-awareness, accountability, confidence and poise while juggling numerous tasks and responsibilities.
  

• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and follow through on assigned tasks and projects with minimal supervision.
  

• Great computer technology skills, CRM experience, ms office, and google apps such as gmail, maps etc.
  

• Strong spatial visualization skills. Experience performing financial calculations.
  

• Provide exceptional customer service, are solution-minded, and are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and communication.
  

• Clean driving record with reliable transportation.
  

• Proven track record highlighting examples of being a self-starter while managing numerous priorities.
  

• Management experience preferred.
  

• Minimum Education: Associates - Bachelor's Preferred

Benefits

• Core values-driven and cooperative culture
• Profit sharing
• Employer 4% Match on 401(k)
• Subsidized North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) training
• Medical Insurance Stipend
• Paid Life Insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance (voluntary)
• Short and Long Term Disability (voluntary)
• Paid and Volunteer Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Maternity and Parental Bonding leave

About StraightUp Solar:

StraightUp Solar is Missouri’s longest-running and largest solar installer. St Louis-founded and owned, we are a fully-licensed and insured electrical contractor, a BBB A+ business, and BCorps Certified. StraightUp Solar has installed more than 1700 solar projects throughout Missouri and Illinois and have offices in St. Louis, MO, Metro East, IL, and Bloomington, IL.

StraightUp Solar is a values-based B-Corp company committed to a cleaner, safer, and more secure energy future - one solar panel at a time. We provide a supportive team environment which allows everyone the opportunity to collaborate on ideas to improve the company. StraightUp Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage veterans, women, persons of color, and members of the LGBTQ community to apply. Different makes us better.

StraightUp Solar has 6 core values (CLEARE) that guide the company and team members:

• Community First
• Lead
• Educate the Solar Lesson
• Advocate Always
• Respect Each Other and the Environment
• Excellence In All We Do

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Jobs@Straightupsolar.com.

Job Opportunity with Sun Badger Solar

Position: Solar Permit/Project Coordinator - Waukesha, WI

Posted by ISEA: March 2, 2021

Overview: Sun Badger Solar is a successful and growing residential solar energy installer. This position reports to the Branch Manager and works alongside the project and service coordinators.

The successful applicant must have knowledge and experience in the solar industry. Responsibilities will primarily be coordinating permit applications to completion in Illinois and Florida, as well as some work in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Daily tasks include making building permit applications to AHJ's and following up on applications, maintaining relationships with people who review and approve permits, liaising with housing associations when needed. This is a perfect opportunity for an assistant PM in the solar industry to grow in their career.

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