Renewable Energy Project Manager

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Oregon creates a world where people and nature thrive. TNC Oregon’s Climate and Renewable Energy Team is working at the intersection of climate, conservation, and communities--leveraging science and policy to accelerate a rapid and responsible clean energy transition. Climate change mitigation through the buildout of renewable energy infrastructure at the pace and scale needed to address increasingly severe climate impacts and biodiversity loss requires thoughtful planning and siting and nimble strategic approaches. We are seeking a motivated and experienced project manager to help our Oregon TNC team to collaborate alongside partners on the development of renewable energy tools and pilot projects, potentially including dual use solar and agrivoltaics, that demonstrate thoughtful project planning, siting, and design to identify trade-offs, minimize and mitigate impacts, and maximize benefits for communities and landscapes across Oregon. 

The Renewable Energy Project Manager will support the implementation of Oregon’s Climate and Renewable Energy Program by developing, managing, and implementing renewable energy demonstrations, tools, and partnerships across Oregon. This includes using best practices in establishing project goals and success factors and developing project plans, budgets, metrics, and schedules with input and buy-in from key stakeholders and team members. This position will report to the Climate Program Director within TNC Oregon. They will work closely with other conservation teams and functions, potentially including, but not limited to, TNC Oregon’s Science, Philanthropy, and Communications teams. 

Geographic scope is primarily Oregon but includes collaboration with TNC staff and partners in neighboring states and potential opportunities to collaborate regionally.

This is a hybrid role in Portland or Bend location preferred, with other locations considered; this position will require frequent travel (~20% of time) to project sites and meetings. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

The Renewable Energy Project Manager will collaborate with colleagues and partners to advance climate and renewable energy programmatic efforts in Oregon, including creating and maintaining renewable energy siting and decision support tools and scoping and deploying TNC’s engagement on renewable energy demonstration projects, both small-scale and utility scale, that balance trade-offs and identify opportunities to advance TNC’s “3Cs approach” to support renewable energy buildout that prioritizes climate impact, community benefit, and preserves intact landscapes for conservation. The Project Manager will:

• Manage multidisciplinary project teams to complete deliverables while meeting deadlines, tracking project milestones, timelines, and reporting, and leading and managing contracts.  

• Facilitate internal program team coordination, project partner meetings and prepare agendas, notes, and action tracking.

• Work within and/or manage a budget to complete projects, potentially including project budget development, contract development and management, contractor oversight, financial administration, and legal compliance. 

• Design, implement, and direct complex and diverse projects from concept to completion; effectively communicate project milestones and results, challenges, lessons learned, and keys messages to a variety of audiences. 

• Participate in public and private fundraising strategies, including leading or collaborating on proposal writing for public grants.
• Collaborate with partners, including Tribal governments and Indigenous partners, state, federal, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, individual landowners, and community groups to advance TNC Renewable Energy priorities that consider intended and unintended impacts of renewable energy development on communities and landscapes.
• When working with Tribal partners, ensure that interactions are managed according to TNC’s Indigenous Rights Relations guidance, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. 

• Support organizational efforts on TNC Western US and Canada Divisional Priorities and North America Region Priorities, potentially including projects within the Climate and Renewable Energy Program, Columbia Basin Salmon Program, Sagebrush Sea Program, or the North America Climate Mitigation Program.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS, or law or business degree, and 5 years’ experience in project management, partnership development, natural resource management, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience successfully developing, managing, and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.

• Experience communicating technical information to various audiences, both in writing and verbally. 

• Experience collaborating with Tribes, non-profit partners, government agencies, renewable energy developers, and/or community groups. 

• Experience negotiating complex agreements.  

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work independently in a complex matrix organization environment and works collaboratively within a cross-functional interdisciplinary team

• Ability to use, or quickly learn, project management and common workplace software.

• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

• Multilingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.

• Knowledge of current trends and practices in dual use solar development, agriculture and livestock production, and renewable energy procurement.

• Knowledge of Oregon energy policy, land use planning framework, renewable energy siting and permitting processes, and utility integrated resource planning.  

• Understanding of and relevant experience in the culture and politics of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

• Contract expertise in legal/tribal benefit agreements and Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles. 

• Experience operating GIS software, analyzing data, and creating maps.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $77,000 – 83,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.