Position Title: Tongass Energy Bank Lending Director 

Reports to: Spruce Root Executive Director or Deputy Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Juneau, Alaska, or remote within the US (Alaska preferred)

Salary: $150,000-$180,000 DOE

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting March 1, 2025

About Spruce Root

Spruce Root, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) creating a sustainable future for Southeast Alaska’s people, communities and environment. We are shifting the paradigms of power to support localized economies grounded in Indigenous values and ways of living. Spruce Root is a team of ambitious people dedicated to a new way of working in our region; working collaboratively with others, prioritizing family and well-being, and honoring our ancestors while building for the future. As a federally-certified Native CDFI, Spruce Root works to create positive change and equitable access to economic development through financial products and services to individuals in Southeast Alaska. Other programs include Path to Prosperity, Resilience Circles, workforce development, financial wellness, community planning and facilitation, and the administration of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) and the Seacoast Trust.

About the Tongass Energy Bank

The Tongass Energy Bank, established in 2024, aims to address the unique energy needs of Indigenous and rural communities in the Tongass National Forest. The Bank will focus on providing financial solutions for clean energy projects, such as establishing a revolving loan fund for renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and beneficial electrification initiatives. Additionally, the Bank will offer debt relief and loan guarantees for renewable energy projects facing economic challenges. By leveraging Spruce Root's existing partnerships and expertise in rural small business lending, the Bank will support federal policy objectives, promote sustainable economic activities, and enhance access to clean energy in Southeast Alaska, while aligning with Indigenous values and conservation goals.

Job scope

The Tongass Energy Bank Lending Director is responsible for implementing the newly established Tongass Energy Bank lending program and will play a key role in driving the program's success through coordination and support of clean energy initiatives. This position is funded through a variety of partner organizations and will involve a range of responsibilities aimed at the successful deployment of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding (GGRF) to establish the Tongass Energy Bank. 

Compensation:

1. $150,000-$180,000 annual salary DOE
2. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance as well as 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave, wellness leave, 12 weeks of sabbatical leave after five years of service, and professional development.  

Primary tasks and areas of responsibility 

1. Develop and execute projects that align with the GGRF goals of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) related to its National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) programming
2. Develop and execute projects that align with the goals and operations of Spruce Root’s CDFI and Investments strategy 
3. Evaluate finance/investment opportunities and oversee origination and servicing activities
4. Ensure quality client relationships 
5. Develop program’s pipeline and portfolio management processes
6. Monitor and track program’s investment portfolio, loan loss reserve, and mission metrics
7. Develop organizational and Spruce Root Community Power Program visibility with funders and other relevant partners
8. Ensure regulatory compliance of program’s products and activities; and, ensure compliance with funding requirements
9. Provide support to the Loan Committee
10. Coordinate and integrate with Spruce Root’s Client Services training, workshops, and skills development for individuals and entrepreneurs to participate in the new energy economy
11. Identify and address barriers to clean energy development in Southeast Alaska

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Ability to manage programs that adhere to compliance requirements of federal funding 
2. Ability to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
3. Knowledge of Alaska's unique energy challenges and opportunities
4. Ability to build and maintain relationships with funders, loan recipients, and partners
5. Competence in the 6 C’s of credit, credit risks and underwriting
6. Understanding of financial statements and GAAP standards
7. Proficiency in loan servicing including borrower communications and delinquency management
8. Communication skills (written and oral) and ability to do deliver high-quality customer service
9. Ability to support and grow productive team members
10. Ability to lead, plan, organize, control, and administer projects
11. Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external agencies, and philanthropic and impact investment partners

Required education and experience

1. A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of work experience) in Business Administration, Finance, Renewable Energy or a related field
2. Experience working with Southeast Alaskan communities
3. Experience in grant writing or other types of fundraising
4. Training in lending, underwriting, and credit risk analysis

Additional Requirements

1. Valid driver’s license
2. Satisfactory completion of a background check
3. Satisfactory completion of a reference check

Working conditions:

1. Standard 35-hour work week with occasional evening and weekend assignments
2. The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
3. Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift/carry and/or move up to 30 pounds safely. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
4. Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions and other elements prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. This job requires regular travel in commercial planes, AMHS ferries, float planes, and twin engine planes.
5. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications by March 1, 2025. Application review and interviews will be held on a rolling basis starting March 1, and the position will remain open until filled. There may be additional rounds of application reviews and interviews, as necessary. 

To apply, send an email to aldyn@spruceroot.org with the subject line “Tongass Energy Bank Lending Director – [YOUR NAME].”  

In the email, please include the following as a single PDF attachment:  

• Your resume 
• 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position 
• List of 3 professional references with contact information and relationship to you 
• Short answers to the following questions: 
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years and how will this position support you on that path? 
  • Spruce Root conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background? 

In the body of the email, please also copy and paste the content of your short answers and include your name, phone number, and email address. As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.  

With the goal of providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Spruce Root, Inc. bases its employment decisions on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  With the important exception of its commitment to hiring Alaska Natives and Sealaska Corporation shareholders and their family members, Spruce Root, Inc. does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law.  Spruce Root, Inc.’s commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in the operations of Spruce Root, Inc., and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Spruce Root, Inc., including supervisors and coworkers. 

Spruce Root, Inc. has affiliations with Sealaska Corporation, a Native Regional Corporation established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).  As permitted by law, Spruce Root, Inc. promotes employment opportunities for Alaska Natives and Sealaska Corporation shareholders and their spouses and descendants by giving them preference in hiring.  

For questions regarding the position or employment at Spruce Root, please reach out to Aldyn Brudie, Administrative & Human Resources Director, at aldyn@spruceroot.org.