SOLAR FUND MANAGER

The State of Arizona is hiring a Solar Fund Manager to lead the 'Solar for All Arizonans' initiative, which aims to provide solar energy benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Responsibilities include developing financial mechanisms, mobilizing capital, and managing grant-funded projects. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders and reports to the Governor’s Office of Resiliency. The job is based in Phoenix, AZ, with a salary range of $105,000 - $115,000.
ARIZONA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

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 bring extensive benefits to 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.

SOLAR FUND MANAGER

Job Location:

1700 West Washington

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Annual Salary Range: $105,000 - $115,000

Grade: 01

This posting will close on June 15, 2025

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

•Help build a strong Solar Community of Practice that significantly enhances the knowledge and skills of professionals across multiple sectors, including the solar and financial industries, local governments, permitters, housing and real estate, utilities, and others. Activities will include providing technical assistance and sharing of best practices in effectively serving and benefitting low-income and disadvantaged communities

• Direct and oversee the development of innovative financial mechanisms to support solar energy by removing financial barriers and other constraints that prevent low-income and disadvantaged households from adopting solar

• Mobilize additional private capital to supplement federal investments and establish an evergreen Solar Revolving Loan Fund that creates long-term solar markets serving low-income and disadvantaged communities beyond the 5-year project period

• With other SFA AZ program managers and other relevant partners, help develop critically needed workforce development pathways to quality green jobs for residents of low-income, disadvantaged, rural, and Tribal communities

• Manage and provide administrative support and state coordination on all grant funded projects from scoping to final completion, including working with State compliance and procurement staff

• Work closely with relevant OOR staff and grant funded consultants and contractors to ensure grant funded deliverable completion

• Serve as the primary contact for all state agencies and coordinating contractors for the purposes of Fund management

• This position will report directly to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency Director

Program & Financial Management:

Financial Oversight:

• Oversee all financial aspects of the program and its projects, ensuring robust financial health and sustainability

Budget Management:

• Manage budgets, forecast financial needs, and ensure efficient allocation and utilization of resources for the program

Financial Controls and Monitoring:

• Implement financial controls and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that program deliverables are achieved within budgetary constraints

• Mentor SFA AZ Program Managers in the area of compliance and financial reporting best

• Continually monitor staff’s compliance to standards

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Understanding of applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to grants and grants management procedures

• 7+ years in relevant program management and/or project leadership in distributed solar and battery industries

• BA/BS degree in accounting, finance, or other relevant field

• Expertise in budget management and contract negotiation

• Proficiency in federal program management

• Leadership and team management skills

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience engaging with communities historically underrepresented or underserved in the energy sector

• Knowledge of the distributed solar industry market trends and technologies

• Ability to work in diverse political and cultural environments

• Experience structuring debt and equity investment programs

• Advanced degree in a relevant field

Examples of Related Degrees:

• Economics, finance, accounting, political science, public policy, public administration, business, planning, or other social sciences

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Ability to maintain a clean driving record; Ability to pass a background check performed by Arizona Department of Public Safety

• Ability to possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License and operate a motor vehicle

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

• Health and dental insurance

• Retirement plan

• Sick leave

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

Contact Us:

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Ariel Gonzalez at agonzalez@az.gov for assistance