Solar Development Associate
The Solar Development Associate supports the development of solar and battery energy storage projects by coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing project schedules, budgets, and documentation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and permitting requirements. This role involves proactive communication with internal and external stakeholders, conducting due diligence and site analysis, and supporting interconnection and financing processes. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while contributing to Confidential Client's mission of advancing renewable energy projects.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Energy, Oil & Gas.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You'll Do
- Monitor and analyze project schedules, scopes of work, and budgets; recommend tasks and priorities to ensure project viability.
- Schedule and run regular project meetings; record decisions, assigned tasks, and next steps.
- Prepare, organize, and distribute project documentation to internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Research zoning codes, permit requirements, land records, and related market/industry information critical to project development.
- Monitor project progress, identify risks or delays, and escalate or remediate issues as needed.
- Coordinate quality-control checks to ensure deliverables meet technical and contractual standards.
- Serve as a central point of contact for project information and status updates.
- Assist with expense tracking and the approval process.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to document workflows and improve standard operating procedures.
- Conduct outreach to prospective landowners and permitting authorities; prepare permit applications and support community engagement activities.
- Perform site due diligence and site analysis to identify constraints and inform development decisions.
- Support preparation and review of interconnection applications and coordination with utilities.
- Communicate design constraints and review layouts with engineering teams to confirm conformance with project goals.
- Support preparation of financing documents and liaise frequently with finance and legal teams.
- Coordinate with external consultants and manage contractor deliverables to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Qualifications
- 1 year of experience in a professional environment (including internships or part-time roles).
- Bachelor’s degree in energy, real estate, sustainability, policy, communications, or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated interest in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, or related fields.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency with MS Office on Windows; Salesforce experience is a plus.
- Attention to detail and a reliable, service-oriented approach to supporting internal and external stakeholders.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and accountable with strong ownership instincts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to identify constraints, track risks, and support obstacle resolution across teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel to development sites across the Midwest (up to ~20% of time, including occasional nights); must have an active driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- High standards of integrity, credibility, and professional responsibility; commitment to a collaborative, trust-based culture.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $70,000 - $80,000 per year.
- Benefits include generous paid time off (up to six weeks/year), paid parental leave, volunteer time off, comprehensive medical coverage, 401(k) with match, life insurance, and wellness incentives.
- Final compensation depends on experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.
Location & Travel
- Primary location: Madison, WI.
- This role requires travel to project sites across the Midwest (up to ~20% of the time) and occasional overnight stays.
- Local candidates able to travel by vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license are preferred.
Why This Role
- Entry-level position with strong exposure to solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project development.
- Hands-on opportunity to learn interconnection, permitting, site analysis, and stakeholder engagement while working with experienced cross-functional teams.
- Ideal for candidates who want to start a career in renewable energy project development and contribute to the clean energy transition.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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