Renewable energy jobs at Interstate Renewable Energy Council

While IREC does not construct physical renewable energy projects, it has a strong track record of delivering impactful policy tools and assistance programs. One of its flagship initiatives, SolSmart, launched in 2016, has successfully designated over 500 jurisdictions for their efficiency in solar permitting, significantly reducing barriers to solar energy adoption. Additionally, IREC has led the SEAC initiative since 2020, which focuses on integrating distributed energy resources through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (source: irecusa.org).

Other notable projects include the Puerto Rico Solar Business Accelerator, which began in 2019 to enhance workforce development and microgrid capabilities, and the Solar Ready Vets program initiated in 2014, which helps veterans transition into clean energy careers. IREC is also working on a toolkit for large-scale solar and battery storage in collaboration with Camelot Energy, set to be released in 2024 (source: irecusa.org).

Key clients and partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Labor, and various state regulators, such as the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). IREC's geographic presence spans all U.S. states, with ongoing efforts to expand into electric vehicle infrastructure and cold-climate electrification training (source: irecusa.org).

In April 2024, several states including California, Michigan, New Mexico, and Vermont adopted regulations proposed by IREC for solar energy storage and grid interconnection, a significant achievement stemming from a $1.3 million grant received from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2019. Additionally, IREC secured a five-year $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2023 to support its apprenticeship and accreditation programs (source: influencewatch.org).

Leadership transitions are also noteworthy, as Larry Sherwood, who has been instrumental in IREC's growth since 2016, will transition to President Emeritus in 2025. His tenure included the successful merger with The Solar Foundation in 2021, which aimed to enhance the impact of workforce and local programs (source: irecusa.org).

In 2022, IREC published the BATRIES Toolkit, which focuses on solar-plus-storage interconnections, further solidifying its role as a leader in clean energy policy development. The organization continues to pursue its mission through ongoing SolSmart designations and the upcoming launch of its large-scale solar toolkit in 2024 (source: irecusa.org).

IREC offers a variety of roles primarily focused on program management, policy analysis, regulatory advocacy, and workforce training development. Positions such as the SolSmart Senior Program Manager highlight the organization's commitment to effective program execution and stakeholder engagement. Hiring occurs at the Latham, NY headquarters, with opportunities for remote work in policy and training roles due to the national scope of IREC's initiatives (source: zoominfo.com).

The organizational culture at IREC emphasizes collaboration among diverse stakeholders to scale clean energy solutions, reflecting its independent expertise and commitment to equitable workforce access. This is evident in the quadrupling of staff since 2016 and the focus on underrepresented groups in training programs (source: irecusa.org).

While specific employee benefits are not extensively documented, the non-profit status suggests standard packages. Job seekers are encouraged to visit IREC's LinkedIn page or careers section on their website for current openings in clean energy policy and training (source: linkedin.com).