Bantam Communications: Virginia Renewables Organizer

LOCATION

SALARY

COMPANY

DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Employment: Independent contractor (1099) status

Hour Expectation: Average of 30 - 35hrs week

- $50/hr rate

Reports to: Director of Community Affairs

About this Position

Bantam Communications is in search of a highly skilled and motivated Virginia Renewables Organizer to join our vibrant team. The Organizer will support multiple renewable energy projects across Virginia through grassroots organizing and grasstops relationship-building. The individual in this role will prioritize achieving political buy-in from decision-makers and building a robust and active base of supporters. The ideal candidate should possess excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, an understanding of regional political and community dynamics, and direct outreach experience. Knowledge of local/regional political landscape and community dynamics is required.

Responsibilities:

• Community Engagement: Working with the project team and Campaign Strategist, identify, recruit, and mobilize supporters to contact local elected officials or agencies, attend public meetings, and communicate project benefits with community members. Build positive relationships with community leaders and relevant stakeholders through meetings, calls, and other contacts. Professionally represent the project and developer at business, local government, and community functions. Help plan, build, and manage local events.

• Political and Community Analysis: Demonstrate a deep understanding of community and political power dynamics, employing this knowledge to conduct outreach and inform strategic decision-making. Effectively analyze and report on results from outreach activities, with a special emphasis on identifying ongoing community issues the project could impact.

• Government Relations: Build and maintain relationships with relevant elected and appointed decision-makers. Facilitate meetings for the project teams to engage with decision-makers. Monitor county and municipal government proceedings related to renewable energy generally and the project specifically.

• Data Organization and Information Management: Ensure all data gathered from outreach and engagement activities are entered and maintained in the appropriate databases and systems. Triage questions, comments, and concerns gathered during outreach and ensure answers are provided.

• Public Communication: Effectively convey campaign messages and objectives to clients, internal teams, and communities involved. Assist in the development of messaging and other public consumables.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in community organizing, public affairs, government relations, or stakeholder engagement

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex issues clearly

• Experience planning and executing community events and public meetings

• Proficiency with data management and CRM systems for tracking stakeholder interactions

• Understanding of local government processes and decision-making structures

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous positions held: Political Director/Manager, Public Affairs Director/Manager, Legislative Director, Director of Government Relations

• Political campaign experience at the state and local level.

• Familiarity with fundraising and compliance rules.

• Existing relationships or familiarity with Virginia interest groups and advocacy organizations.

Bantam Communications We are a mission-driven organization dedicated to accelerating clean energy deployment across the United States. Our robust team of public affairs experts has supported the successful permitting and grid integration of gigawatts of large-scale wind, solar, and battery projects in communities nationwide.

We specialize in proactive and strategic community organizing, conducting rigorous community assessments, plotting strategic roadmaps for stakeholder engagement, and educating residents about clean energy through our cutting-edge approach to digital and in-person community organizing approach supported by scalable protocols and our proprietary community engagement knowledge hub, BantamOne.