Program Manager, Charging Smart (limited term role until July 2027)

About IREC

IREC is an independent nonprofit that builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. Our vision is a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce and community-based solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean energy.  IREC provides independent leadership and trusted clean energy expertise through three interrelated strategies:

• Workforce Development - IREC leads initiatives to build a diverse and qualified clean energy workforce while ensuring that clean energy workers have access to family-sustaining careers.
• Local Initiatives - IREC supports communities to develop policies and promote best practices that accelerate the equitable deployment of clean energy.
• State Regulatory Engagement - IREC represents the public interest in state regulatory proceedings and develops and disseminates best practices to ensure that distributed energy resources (DERs) can be equitably and efficiently integrated on the electric grid.

Program Manager – Charging Smart (limited term role until July 2027)

Type: Full-time; exempt. This position is grant-funded and currently contracted and budgeted through July 2027, with continuation contingent on future funding.

Salary: $60,000–$75,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Location: Remote (U.S.-based) 

Reports to: Senior Director, Local Initiatives
Benefits: Health, dental, vision insurance, retirement contribution, paid time off, flexible work schedule

About the Position

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is seeking a highly motivated Program Manager to support the Local Initiatives team in achieving aggressive goals to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging. The Program Manager will work with partners to recruit communities and provide technical assistance to local governments pursuing designation under the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Charging Smart program. You will work as part of a small, dynamic team to help communities reduce local barriers to the adoption of EV charging. You will focus on permitting and inspection, planning and zoning, government operations, utility engagement, and market development as well as other federal, state, and local EV and EV charging topics. You will also work with a broad coalition of other stakeholders, demonstrating thought leadership at both the strategic and tactical levels. The Program Manager will occasionally perform other duties and support other programs as needed to meet the objectives of a small and dynamic national nonprofit organization.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Support outreach efforts and work with partner organizations to recruit new communities to the Charging Smart program;
• Promote the Charging Smart program by effectively communicating program benefits to stakeholders; 
• Assist local governments in identifying and implementing programs and practices to build robust local EV and EV charging markets;
• Evaluate  local government policies to determine if they meet Charging Smart best practices; 
• Design and deliver presentations to local government officials;
• Work with external contractors to ensure project goals and deliverables are met;
• Facilitate meetings and build relationships with local government officials and their stakeholders;
• Participate in internal working groups on program evaluation, outreach and recruitment strategies, criteria development, and technical assistance;
• Support the designation review process and maintain program data in Salesforce; 
• Develop new resources (e.g., white papers, fact sheets, presentations, tools) to help local governments learn from and replicate model practices;
• Develop and refine program-related supporting documents;
• Provide research, writing, and coordination support for Charging Smart and other projects at IREC;
• Support accurate, timely program reporting in compliance with federal grant requirements; and
• Support other IREC programs and initiatives as needed.

IREC team members collaborate primarily in a virtual environment, leveraging remote meeting, project management, and other collaboration tools to stay connected and on task.  

Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Qualities for This Role:

Required:

• An undergraduate degree in public policy, economics, planning, local government management, public affairs, environmental studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; 
• 2+ years of relevant work experience, preferably in municipal/regional government affairs, public affairs, the solar industry, EV charging, or other renewable energy field;
• Demonstrated success with stakeholder outreach and program recruitment;
• Strong interpersonal skills and clear, persuasive technical writing skills;
• Proven ability to provide high-quality customer service;
• Ability to work independently and with a geographically distributed team to meet deadlines (experience managing large groups of external stakeholders is a plus);
• Ability to build a professional network, travel (approximately [X]% of the time), and present effectively at local, regional, and national meetings, conferences, and other events; 
• A demonstrated passion for transportation electrification or renewable energy; 
• Willingness to be flexible, adapt to new technologies, learn, and shift course as needs arise;

Preferred:

• A Master’s degree in a related field;
• Experience managing federally funded programs; 
• Knowledge of local and regional planning, community engagement, and permitting processes; 
• Education or experience in EV charger deployment. 

Apply with: Cover letter and resume. All application materials must be submitted in English and include a cover letter to be considered.