Application Guide

How to Apply for Florida Program Associate (Remote within FL)

at Solar United Neighbors

🏢 About Solar United Neighbors

Solar United Neighbors is a national nonprofit that empowers communities to adopt solar energy through group purchasing, advocacy, and education. Unlike many environmental organizations, SUN focuses on grassroots organizing and building a movement for energy democracy, making it a unique place to drive real change in Florida's solar landscape.

About This Role

As the Florida Program Associate, you'll be the boots-on-the-ground organizer in South Florida, managing solar co-ops and advocating for pro-solar policies. This role is impactful because you'll directly help residents and businesses navigate solar adoption while building a network of solar champions across diverse communities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the national team, then you'll spend a few hours planning a solar workshop in Homestead, coordinating with a local church partner. After lunch, you'll hop on a call with a homeowner interested in the co-op, then draft a social media post promoting an upcoming webinar. Later, you might drive to a community center to meet with a coalition partner about a solar advocacy event.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Solar United Neighbors Is Looking For

  • A community organizer with at least 2 years of experience in Florida, skilled at mobilizing volunteers and building partnerships with local groups.
  • A project manager who can juggle multiple campaigns, events, and deadlines while working remotely and traveling 20% of the time.
  • A bilingual communicator (English/Spanish) who can engage with Hispanic communities and translate technical solar info into accessible language.
  • A passionate advocate for clean energy who understands Florida's unique solar policies, utility landscape, and environmental justice issues.

📝 Tips for Applying to Solar United Neighbors

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific community organizing wins in Florida, like successful campaigns or coalition-building efforts.

2

In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with Florida's solar market (e.g., net metering, FPL policies) and how you've navigated challenges.

3

Showcase any experience with solarize programs or group purchasing models, even if from other states—explain how you'd adapt it to Florida.

4

If you speak Spanish, emphasize it prominently and provide examples of working with Spanish-speaking communities.

5

Include metrics: e.g., 'Organized 3 community workshops with 100+ attendees' or 'Recruited 50 new solar supporters through door-knocking.'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your genuine passion for SUN's mission of energy democracy and how it aligns with your values.", 'Concrete examples of community organizing in Florida, especially in underserved or rural areas.', 'Your ability to work independently and manage projects remotely, with examples of successful remote collaboration.', "Your knowledge of Florida's solar policy landscape and ideas for overcoming barriers to adoption."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review SUN's current Florida campaigns and solar co-op success stories on their website.
  • → Read recent news about Florida solar policy, including utility battles and legislative updates.
  • → Familiarize yourself with SUN's theory of change and how they measure impact (e.g., number of homes solarized, policy wins).
  • → Look into local environmental justice groups in South Florida that SUN partners with.
Visit Solar United Neighbors's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you engage a skeptical rural community about solar benefits?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex project with multiple stakeholders. What tools did you use?
3 What's your understanding of Florida's net metering rules and recent legislative changes?
4 How would you recruit and retain volunteers for a solar co-op campaign?
5 Tell us about a time you adapted a program to a new audience (e.g., Spanish speakers, low-income households).
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Florida or SUN's specific approach.
  • Failing to demonstrate remote work readiness—no mention of tools like Slack, Asana, or self-discipline.
  • Overlooking the travel requirement—if you're not willing or able to travel 20% within FL, don't apply.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Solar United Neighbors!

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