Program Coordinator/Transportation Planner

Program/Role: Program Coordinator/ Transportation Planner 

Location: Work from home (WFH) flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN. 

Reports to: Mackenzie Love, AICP  

Type of Position: Full-time position 

Ideal start date: October 1st, 2024 

Compensation: Salary range: $62K-$73K, commensurate with experience. Benefits include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend. 

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE 

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 70 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.?

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative: 

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.? 

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests. 

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes. 

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it. 

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change. 

THIS POSITION:  

GPI’s Communities Program goal is to ensure that equitable and inclusive action on clean energy, resilience, and climate solutions is accelerated and becomes the norm for the communities across our footprint. The team’s work includes a variety of projects, including coordinating local government cohorts and networks, facilitating community input processes, developing and implementing climate and energy planning, and providing technical assistance and capacity to local entities to develop clean energy projects including building efficiency, renewable energy, vehicle electrification, and multi-modal transportation.?

To further support our audacious mission and vision, GPI is filling an open Program Coordinator/ Transportation Planner position. The Communities Program Coordinator/Transportation Planner must be passionate about climate, energy, and community-scale action and enjoy working in an ever-changing environment that is mission-driven and consensus oriented.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities, perform a wide variety of tasks, utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of work, and possess the ability to identify and address urgent and important needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Hours are flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day. Very occasional travel and nights and weekends may be required. The position is open to candidates based in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the U.S.  Employees based in the Twin Cities are encouraged to work at least two or three days per week in the GPI Minneapolis office. 

JOB DUTIES: 

1. (70%) Support implementation of Charging Smart: Charging Smart is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) that offers free technical assistance to local governments giving them the tools to facilitate and speed the deployment of electric vehicles and ensure that benefits are accessible to all. The Program Coordinator will contribute to GPI’s role as a lead partner on the program by recruiting new communities and supporting them as they join the program, preparing for and conducting webinars, and providing one-on-one technical assistance. This may involve researching best practices, conducting zoning reviews, creating guides and templates, understanding and making recommendations on available funding opportunities, and facilitating meetings and network development. This body of work is funded through 2027, so over time this position may evolve to include other local govt transportation related projects. 
2. (20%) Support work on human-centered solutions to reducing transportation emissions: The transportation sector is the largest source of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions nationally, and the same is true for many localities. The Communities Team at GPI has expertise in working with localities that make it uniquely qualified to explore many  human-centered approaches to reducing these emissions. The team will be pursuing other locally focused projects to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. The person in this position will be a part of the team implementing any new work in this area.  Specific areas of work could include transportation electrification, encouraging transportation behavioral changes such as mode shifts and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction, and relevant emerging technologies. As a part of the team implementing new projects, the Program Coordinator will be given a clear scope and asked to conduct research on the impacts of possible approaches, contribute to preparation of funding applications to support relevant work, and/or asked to use technical skill sets (such as the ability to work with GIS or conduct data analysis) that enhance GPI’s ability to meaningfully contribute to current or future projects.  
3. (10%) Program assistance: The Program Coordinator will contribute to administrative and support tasks, working closely with program staff on various projects, including research, stakeholder engagement, and technical assistance. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant proven skills and experience 
• 2-3 years working experience in a transportation planning position or related field 
• Experience with urban planning, particularly in terms of zoning code review 
• Our ideal candidate will have experience with some or all of the following: ArcGIS and relevant platforms, data analysis, demand forecasting, gap analysis, modal split analysis etc. 
• Experience working on a diverse team?
• Experience working with different communication styles
• Self-motivated 
• Excellent time, deadline, and project management skills with ability to multi-task 
• Problem solving skills: ability to identify solutions to challenges that arise  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint) 
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute 

EQUIPMENT USED: 

This position involves use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: 

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset. 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:  

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had. 

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.