Organization Description
Olympia Community Solar is an award winning non-profit clean energy developer. Our small team offers several programs with the overall mission of stewarding an equitable and accessible transition to clean energy.
The position has been created as the result of an award from the Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN) grant program, which is supported by funding through the Climate Commitment Act. WCCN funds are meant to mobilize young adults, veterans, and vulnerable populations through service projects building climate resiliency in overburdened communities.
The Architect will be employed and paid by Olympia Community Solar. This is a learning position meant to provide the Architect with professional development and networking opportunities in the fields of sustainability and climate resilience.
Position Overview
The Olympia Community Solar Climate Corps Architect is a 20hr/week position with a $20/hr stipend. While some of the work of this position can be remote, office time, meetings, and events will be attended in-person. If working remotely the Architect must provide their own equipment.
The Architects primary purpose will be to support two low-income focused programs, Olympia Community Solar’s low-income clean energy development program, and the City of Olympia’s SHARE Accelerator program. They will assist with grant writing, client and contractor coordination, outreach and education, grant management, and other relevant tasks. The Architect will work closely with a small team in a collaborative work environment.
Olympia Community Solar is committed to being an inclusive, affirming, and equitable place for our staff and project partners. We adhere to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons in employment and the delivery of services and resources. We strongly encourage proposals from minorities, women, and members of disadvantaged groups.
Program Overviews
Olympia Community Solar’s Low-Income Clean Energy Deployment Program supports low-income service providers to access and install clean energy projects such as solar energy, battery storage, and EV chargers. Our project partners receive technical assistance, financial planning support, grant writing support, grant management support, and contractor procurement support to launch their projects. The projects themselves either reduce the energy costs associated with their operation, or reduce the energy costs borne by their low-income residents. These projects offer the co-benefit of reducing GHG emissions, building community pride in their infrastructure, and providing clean energy education.
The Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Accelerator is a City of Olympia pilot program, developed through a partnership with Olympia Community Solar that aims to connect owners of affordable rental housing within city limits to funding, information and resources that will streamline energy efficiency as well as health and safety retrofits for their properties. SHARE offers two free building assessments; a health and safety assessment and an energy audit. The program administrator will use the audit results to draft an upgrade plan for the building owner that will then be used for an upgrade funding agreement with the City of Olympia. Over the following year the program will oversee the funding agreement to ensure successful implementation.
Outcomes
Olympia Community Solar shall provide stipends, training, and mentorship for an Architect supporting overburdened communities with energy efficiency and clean energy service projects.
Olympia Community Solar shall train the Architect to facilitate health, safety, and energy audits for housing in overburdened communities to ensure housing safety and affordability.
Olympia Community Solar shall train the Architect to provide technical assistance, financial planning support, grant writing, grant management, and contractor procurement support to launch clean energy projects. Clean energy projects shall include but are not limited to solar energy, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging.
Olympia Community Solar shall provide training, networking and educational opportunities for the Architect to gain skills, credentials, and experiences related to the clean energy sector. The Architect shall have an opportunity to publicly share their story, experience, and outcomes via presentation, report, workshop, or similar outreach activity.
Services and Compensation
Employee shall receive compensation for a half time (20 hr/week or 0.5 FTE) with a stipend at $20/hr less the following:
- The cost of Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
- The cost of Social Security, not to exceed 6.2% of the total compensation,
- The cost of Medicare,
- Federal Income Tax,
- Unemployment Insurance costs,
- Workers Compensation costs,
- Department of Labor and Industries sick time.
These factors represent about 22% of pay – resulting in $17.60 per hour take home.
The Employee may receive matching contributions for company healthcare, dental, and vision plans if they choose to join, or a health insurance stipend if they do not.
The Employee may also receive matching contributions to a retirement account (IRA), up to 3% of compensation.
Term
April 15th, 2026 – May 1st, 2027 (as determined by Washington Climate Corps Network funding agreement)
Preferred Qualifications
- Be located in or near Olympia Washington.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team while coordinating with a diverse set of stakeholders.
Desired Experience (not required)
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines in a program-driven environment.
- Working knowledge of residential and/or small commercial building systems.
- Experience with energy efficiency, building decarbonization, or clean energy programs.
- Experience with grant writing or supporting grant-funded programs, including meeting compliance and reporting requirements.
- Experience with common data tracking and reporting tools (e.g., spreadsheets, databases or program management systems).
Key Responsibilities
Assisting SHARE Accelerator program administrator to:
- Conduct assessments and create upgrade reports
- Secure upgrade quotes
- Identify and apply for additional funding resources
- Respond to technical questions and requests
- Maintain clear communication with participants
Support grant applications for low-income benefitting projects:
- Assist in grant writing process
- Collect relevant information from installers and project partners
Provide project management support:
- Complete relevant reporting requirements
- Coordinate with all relevant stakeholders
- Assist in planning ribbon-cuttings and educational workshops
General support:
- Assist in conducting bid comparison reviews
- Ensure compliance with all grant, local, state, and federal requirements
- Provide technical support to project partners as needed
- Assist with various projects and programs as needed
Submitting an Application
Please submit a resume to Linkedin or in PDF form to info@olysol.org with the subject line “(Your Name) Climate Architect Job Application”.