Description

Program/Role: Administrative Associate, Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management 

Location: WFH Flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN. 

Reports to: Senior Program Manager, Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management 

Type of Position: Full-time position 

Ideal start date: May 2026 

Compensation: Salary range: $51K-$59K, commensurate with experience. Benefits made available include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend. 

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE 

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 70 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative: 

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests. 

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes. 

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it. 

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change. 

ABOUT THE TEAM 

The Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management (IICM) program is dedicated to fostering the deployment of solutions at scale to manage carbon emissions from energy, industry, and manufacturing, while protecting and creating high-wage, family-sustaining jobs and providing economic and environmental benefits to affected communities. Through our staffing and coordination of projects from the community level to the federal level, GPI’s IICM program is playing a transformative role in building broad industry, labor, NGO, and community engagement and support for policies and project deployment necessary to put our nation on a path to net-zero emissions and to achieve midcentury climate goals. The IICM team is a fast-paced collaborative team with an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages and appreciates equal contribution from members at all levels of the team. 

THIS POSITION: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE, INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION & CARBON MANAGEMENT 

The Administrative Associate provides essential support to the Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management (IICM) program by managing communications, logistical, and administrative tasks across multiple projects. This role includes preparing newsletters, organizing meeting materials, tracking event registrations, and maintaining budget records. It also provides direct administrative support to the Vice President of the IICM program and assists senior staff with programmatic initiatives. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate across teams effectively. 

JOB DUTIES: 

Communications Assistance (50% of time): 

1. Maintain and organize shared communication folders, templates, and mailing lists. 
2. Assist project teams in preparing and sending newsletters, typically via Mailchimp. 
3. Curate and circulate recent news and reports on IICM subjects to assist in newsletter creation. 
4. Print and prepare materials for in-person meetings. 
5. Track registration and other logistical details for in-person meetings and events. 

Budget Data Entry (25% of time): 

1. Enter expenses and invoice data into budget tracking spreadsheets 
2. Regularly update budget-tracking documents, including capacity, expenses, and external contracts. 
3. Monitor and provide timely alerts to team members on unpaid invoices from funders and sponsors. 
4. Coordinate with Senior Program Manager to clarify discrepancies or questions in budget data. 

Provide direct assistance to the Vice President of Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management (15% of time): 

1. Provide direct administrative support (schedule meetings, communicate with project participants and other stakeholders, organize materials, etc.) for the Vice President of Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management. 

Other Programmatic Assistance (10% of time) as requested by the Senior Program Managers, Director, or Vice President of the IICM program area. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• Prior administrative experience of two years or more. Experience using Mailchimp, Outlook, Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs is preferred.   
• High attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent time and deadline management, project management, and team relationship skills.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with very diverse individuals and institutions, including those with different backgrounds and political perspectives, with which you may personally disagree.
• Problem-solving skills: ability to identify solutions to challenges that arise.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute and its Carbon Management Program.  
• Knowledge of, or prior experience with, climate, energy and /or environmental issues a plus.

EQUIPMENT USED: 

This position involves use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: 

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Appy online. Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:  

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.