Tucson, Arizona, is working to build a Solar Empowerment Program to provide low-income households with greater access to affordable, renewable energy solutions. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to scale the program, leveraging federal Solar for All funds and ensuring long-term sustainability through innovative financing strategies. Ultimately, this initiative will reduce energy costs, improve climate resilience, and foster a more accessible, sustainable future for Tucson’s most vulnerable communities.

Fellowship Dates: October 27, 2025 – October 23, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT CONTEXT

In Tucson, Arizona, low-income communities face growing challenges due to rising energy costs and intensifying heatwaves. These challenges disproportionately impact low-income Black, Indigenous, Latino, and elderly residents, who often live in older, less energy-efficient homes. As a result, they experience higher utility bills and greater exposure to extreme heat, which increases health risks and strains household budgets. Expanding access to affordable renewable energy, such as solar power, is crucial for ensuring all communities benefit from clean energy solutions.

The City of Tucson will partner with FUSE to implement and scale a Solar Empowerment Program. The FUSE Executive Fellow will:

  • Support with the implementation of the Solar Empowerment Program
  • Apply for the Solar for All Arizona funding to kick-start the program’s financial sustainability
  • Create a long-term financing strategy, exploring diverse funding streams (i.e., public-private partnerships, grants, revolving loan funds, etc.)
  • Develop educational materials on topics such as solar panel benefits and how to avoid solar scams
  • Evaluate the Solar Empowerment Program’s efficiency, establishing metrics for impact measurement

Ultimately, this will reduce energy costs, improve awareness and climate resilience, and help Tucson build a more resilient, sustainable future for its most vulnerable communities.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Beginning in November 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will help enhance and scale the city’s Solar Empowerment Program.

Phase I – Laying the Foundation

The FUSE Executive Fellow will begin by supporting the implementation of the recently established Solar Empowerment Program and applying for Solar for All Arizona funding. This funding is a critical component for launching the program and ensuring its financial viability.

The Fellow will develop a strategic plan to secure long-term financing, exploring innovative solutions and diverse funding streams—such as public-private partnerships, grants, and revolving loan funds—to ensure its sustainability beyond the initial federal funding expected from Solar for All.

Additionally, the Fellow will create educational materials to:

  • Inform residents about the benefits of solar energy
  • Educate the community on how to avoid solar scams
  • Address common concerns related to solar adoption
  • Support outreach efforts targeting low-income communities

Phase II – Scaling and Expanding the Program

The Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to streamline and scale up the Solar Empowerment Program. This will involve refining the solar installation process, creating a clear and competitive vendor selection model, and improving resident access to energy and utility programs. The Executive Fellow will focus these efforts on benefiting low-income homeowners by utilizing upcoming federal Solar for All funds, expected to be available by 2025, to increase access to affordable, renewable energy solutions.

Importantly, the Executive Fellow will work to secure buy-in from key stakeholders, including local solar vendors, financial institutions, and community organizations, ensuring the program addresses the unique needs of Tucson’s most vulnerable residents.

Throughout the remainder of the project, the Executive Fellow will begin implementing the recommendations and strategies, continue with piloting solar installations in underserved communities using the Solar For All Arizona funds (e.g., in residential homes for low-income and communities of color, in public housing units), and facilitating collaboration between city departments and external partners.

The Executive Fellow will evaluate a framework to monitor the program’s impact, including metrics related to energy savings, cost reductions, and resident satisfaction.

By the end of the project, the Executive Fellow will have laid the groundwork for a scalable, sustainable Solar Empowerment Program that helps Tucson’s low-income residents access affordable renewable energy while positioning the city as a leader in climate resilience.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor: Kristina Swallow, Assistant City Manager
  • Project Supervisor: Fatima Luna, Chief Resilience Officer

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.