Executive Director, Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Company: Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Location: Saint Paul, MN

Job Function: Lending/Loan Operations


Background

The mission of MnCIFA, a publicly-accountable financing authority commonly known in other states as a “green bank,” will be to accelerate the adoption of proven clean energy technology and greenhouse gas reduction projects to expand access to untapped markets and to bring benefits to historically underserved communities.

MnCIFA will use public dollars to leverage private investment by reducing the perceived risk, pooling projects to create investable opportunities, and demonstrating the performance of clean energy projects in our market. MnCIFA will partner with Minnesota’s strong ecosystem of clean energy service providers, using additional investment to increase the adoption of existing products and reduce barriers for underserved and low-income populations.

MnCIFA will create robust consumer protections and support further development of Minnesota’s clean energy workforce by requiring that major projects are subject to prevailing wage requirements and that MnCIFA prioritizes activities supporting creation of high-quality employment and apprenticeship opportunities for local workers.

Summary

Hybrid work environment with potential for telework. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul

This position exists to lead initial activities require to establish the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) and to direct its future activities. The purpose of MnCIFA is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms. This position will provide leadership and strategic direction to stand up MnCIFA.

Responsibilities

Duties will include: to work with the board of directors to development organizational documents and policies, to guide relationship building with interested parties, and to launch initial opportunity assessments in keeping with the Legislative statute. The incumbent in this position will lead efforts to ensure that MnCIFA leverages existing public and private sources of capital, in particular the Environmental Protection Agency National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds and US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, to reduce the upfront and total cost of qualified projects and to overcome financial barriers to project adoption, especially in low-income communities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

5 years strategic leadership experience, supervisory, management experience.

A bachelor’s degree in the areas of Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or other field relevant to the position can be substituted for one (1) year of experience.  An advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or other field relevant to the position can be substituted for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Applicants who meet the above requirement will be further evaluated on:

  • Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with all levels of management, governing boards, and stakeholders.
  • Established skills and experience with setting organizational objectives and philosophy, conducting strategic planning, effective organization management and administration, insightful issue identification and problem solving, efficient contract and negotiating skills, and performing compliance and evaluation.
  • Communication skills, both oral and written, and experience presenting to wide variety of audiences; in addition to relational management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing governance practices and procedures.
  • Experience in the clean energy / climate field.
  • Experience advancing outcomes toward delivering benefits to environmental justice and disadvantaged communities.
  • Experience analyzing financial data and legal compliance requirements, including laws, federal regulations, and state rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of Minnesotans with potential interest in and opportunity to benefit from MNCIFA financing.
  • Knowledge of national GreenBank opportunities and models.
  • Background and experience in standing up and implementing new initiatives or programs.
  • Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a team under ever changing conditions.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $48.45 – $69.48 / hourly; $101,163 – $145,074 / annually

Benefits 

As an employee, you’ll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • 12 paid holidays each year
  • Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
    • Fertility care, including IVF
    • Diabetes care
    • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
  • 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
  • Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
  • Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
  • Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
  • Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

  • Training, classes, and professional development
  • Tuition reimbursement <Remove this bullet if this position is not eligible for tuition reimbursement>
  • Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

  • A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
  • Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
  • Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

How to Apply

Read the full description and apply at https://careers.mn.gov

https://careers.mn.gov/psc/mnjob/MNCAREERS/HRCR/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1001&JobOpeningId=79073&PostingSeq=1&languageCd=ENG&PortalActualURL=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.mn.gov%2fpsc%2fmnjob%2fMNCAREERS%2fHRCR%2fc%2fHRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL%3fPage%3dHRS_APP_JBPST_FL%26FOCUS%3dApplicant%26SiteId%3d1001%26JobOpeningId%3d79073%26PostingSeq%3d1%26languageCd%3dENG&PortalRegistryName=MNCAREERS&PortalServletURI=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.mn.gov%2fpsp%2fmnjob%2f&PortalURI=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.mn.gov%2fpsc%2fmnjob%2f&PortalHostNode=HRMS&NoCrumbs=yes&PortalKeyStruct=yes