Solar Program Impact Evaluator and Compliance Manager

SUMMARY

Solar for All Arizonans is a transformational opportunity for the State of Arizona to bring the benefits of the state’s abundant solar resources to the state’s low-income and disadvantaged communities. Arizona is one of the sunniest states, with one of the nation’s fastest growing solar markets. Yet the benefits of solar markets are not currently distributed fairly across Arizona’s diverse communities. This program will provide more than $150M in EPA investments to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities through innovative solar deployments and long-term changes to solar markets. 

Solar for All Arizonans will deploy approximately 61 MW of additional new solar dedicated to supporting low-income and CEJST designated disadvantaged communities, as designated under the EPA Solar-for-All definition. This initiative will use three strategies to expand innovative market mechanisms that support deployment of solar energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities: (1) expand rooftop solar ownership, (2) create for the first time a collective neighborhood solar program, and (3) pilot a solar-plus-storage resilience program.

This position is dependent on a federally funded grant which expires in April, 2029.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• While the overall program will be evaluated by an outside independent evaluator, the Program Impact Evaluator will be responsible for program metric development and design for reporting across sub-awardees and contracting. 
• Provide regular reporting to program stakeholders. 
• Provide technical assistance to sub-awardees and grantees with implementation of data collection strategies across programs. 

• Manage a comprehensive compliance risk and issue log for all program activities and proactively present these to senior management. 

OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT

• Lead development of standards and processes to meet SFA AZ compliance and quality requirements; proactively communicate and train other staff and support their adherence.   
• Ensure compliance with required reporting and SFA AZ procedures.
• Define processes and procedures for detailed metrics tracking across each project. 
• Proactively aggregate and monitor to support improvements and increased meaningful benefits of the program. 
• Define compliance processes and procedures for individual participant enrollment, certification/income qualifications, and lifecycle tracking. Work closely with the other SFA AZ staff in administering these processes. 

FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Support the Solar Residential Deployment & Regulatory Manager to manage SFA AZ procurement processes, subaward contracts, and routine monitoring of administrative compliance, in partnership with the Governor's Office Procurement staff.
• Work closely with the Solar Fund Manager to ensure fiscal compliance. 
• Define processes and procedures for adherence to and monitoring of all federal and state wage reporting requirements including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.
• Provide consultation to contractors in support of their adherence to funding agency requirements and all federal, state, and local regulations. Continuously monitor compliance for all subcontractors. 

REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE

• Manage all SFA AZ compliance requirements, establish standards/best practices, and guide program teams on any changes/improvements.
• Develop programmatic compliance standards, tracking, and tools to ensure transparency and accountability in reporting to senior management and federal funding agencies. 
• Serve as official SFA AZ Quality Assurance Manager. Develop and manage Quality Management Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plan and associated activities for environmental information as required by the EPA and that adhere to federal quality control standards. 
• Working closely with the Solar Fund Manager, contribute to all SFA AZ financial performance reporting including adherence to the Financial Transparency Act and other federal regulations. 
• Define and and administer document and data management processes, procedures, and tools. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years in program management and/or project leadership. 
• BA/BS degree in a relevant field; advanced degrees favored. 
• Operational excellence. 
• Proficiency in federal program management. 
• Expertise in budget management and contract negotiation. 
• Understanding of applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to grants and grants management procedures.

DESIRABLE

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in the energy sector, especially with utilities, renewable energy, or government contracts. 
• Knowledge of the solar industry, including market trends and technologies. 
• Experience in engaging with communities historically underrepresented or underserved in the energy sector. 

EXAMPLES OF RELATED DEGREES

Economics, political science, public policy, public administration, business, planning, or other social sciences.