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Communications Manager 

Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER)

Carbondale, CO


Job Description


Position summary

Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) works to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy, increase energy independence and reduce our contribution to climate change. Based in Carbondale, CO, CLEER helps communities achieve measurable progress on clean energy and climate goals. As a nonprofit consultancy, CLEER manages multiple programs and projects in western Colorado and statewide, including Garfield Clean Energy, ReCharge Colorado (14 counties), Colorado Clean Diesel Program, the development of regional GHG inventories and climate action plans, municipal sustainability contracts, and geothermal and renewable energy advocacy efforts. 


The Communications Manager is integral to CLEER’s multi-pronged approach focused on decarbonization accompanied by economic benefits and diversity. We are a small but nimble team that partners with a diverse array of community members, government entities (municipal, State, Federal), electric and gas utilities, businesses, and industry groups. A desire and willingness to continually learn and keep pace with changes in the field is essential. The candidate ideally has experience interacting with a variety of private and public stakeholders or customers.


We are offering a full-time, salaried position prioritizing candidates able to work in CLEER’s Carbondale office 3 days a week.


Primary Responsibilities


1. Organizational communications

  • Refines and implements an overall communications plan for CLEER that advances our mission and builds support and resources for the organization. 
  • Ensures CLEER’s branding, communications and marketing are appropriately targeted, sensitive to diverse audiences and creatively distill complex topics.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with staff at local and state media outlets to enable placement of news stories and marketing campaigns.
  • Produces and maintains organization-wide communications products such as websites, social media content, newsletters, brochures, event materials and signage. 

 2. Programmatic communications 

  • Works closely with program staff to design and implement communications strategies for our climate and energy programs, including Garfield Clean Energy and Recharge.
  • Writes and edits press releases for varied events and programs.
  • Manages website content and social media accounts and updates in support of programs and projects.
  • Produces email campaigns: solicits content from program staff and project partners, manages the proof-reading, review and testing of emails before sending.
  • Uses industry best practices for email marketing and communications including obtaining proper consent, personalizing emails, utilizing email segmentation, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
  • Employs the latest tools in email marketing and client contact list growth, integrating these strategically with our CRM and producing co-benefits with social media accounts. 
  • Produces, in-house or with contractors, print materials including flyers, annual report, and tabling materials.
  • Occasionally attends events and travels to locations to share CLEER’s work.

 3. Fundraising communications 

  • Assists with fundraising appeals and donor communications by mail and email. 
  • Supports grant applications and fee-for-service proposals as needed. 


Qualifications and experience

This position requires strong editing, writing and creative content design skills. It also requires the ability to work as part of a team to develop, refine and deliver messages, campaigns, and events. Qualified candidates will have utilized multiple communications methods to achieve programmatic goals, and have a proven track record of producing products on time and on budget. We are looking for a team member with skills, personal qualities, and experience in the following areas:


Personal and professional 

  • Growth mindset: eagerness and desire to learn, grow, develop.
  • Interest in advancing a clean energy economy, climate protection, climate friendly transportation, energy efficiency and clean energy, with a commitment to staying up to speed on topics and current events in the field. 
  • Excellent organizational and managerial skills with high attention to detail.
  • Works well in a busy team environment, handling multiple assignments and meeting often tight deadlines.
  • Creative and strategic thinker with good judgment and ability to make independent decisions in a changing environment.
  • Able to produce content that aligns with CLEER’s emphasis on practical solutions and non-partisan approaches that build common ground among diverse audiences.


Experience, skills and tools 

  • Social media content generation, scheduling, and optimization.
  • Media relations including writing press releases, conducting interviews both as the interviewee and interviewer, and responding to inquiries.
  • Google Calendar, Drive, Meet, and Chat in a team environment to streamline demanding workflows.
  • Experience publishing content on WordPress, Squarespace or other CMS.
  • Software: WordPress (or other web platform); Salesforce; iContact, MailChimp or similar; Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint); Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign) and Canva. 
  • File formatting, exporting and management. Packaging files properly for high-resolution printing.
  • Photography skills are a plus.
  • Education in or working knowledge of climate, energy and sustainability topics. 


Project management experience

  • Coaching writers, staff, and contractors to plan and execute projects within a set timeline.
  • Giving constructive feedback and keeping projects on track.
  • Managing multiple projects simultaneously, often on tight deadlines.
  • Developing and managing budgets for communications projects and campaigns.


Desired experience: 4 years of experience working in a communications, journalism, marketing or campaign outreach role. 


Educational requirement: A bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field


Salary and Benefits: $80,000 - $90,000 annually depending on experience.


Also included are a monthly health stipend and employer matched retirement account, 11 paid holidays, vacation, sick time, a transit stipend, ski passes, and professional development opportunities.


Application submission instructions

  • Required materials
  • Cover Letter: Please include a cover letter highlighting your experience in the above listed areas and any professional or volunteer work in the sustainability, climate, energy or environmental fields. We look forward to reading cover letters as an opportunity to learn more about you on a personal and professional level.
  • Resumé
  • Optional: Link to portfolio or previous work examples 
  • Deadline: January 30th, 2026 5:00 p.m. MST. 
  • Submit application materials to jobs@cleanenergyeconomy.net