Operations Associate

Job Description

NRECA International is the international arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), bringing more than six decades of experience in rural electrification, cooperative development, and utility strengthening to partners around the world. Working with utilities, governments, donors, communities, and the private sector, NRECA International helps expand access to reliable electricity, improve utility performance, strengthen local institutions, and build the workforce needed to sustain them. Our work is informed by the experience of America's electric cooperatives and enhanced by the contributions of electric cooperative professionals who volunteer their expertise through NRECA International programs. Together, we help deliver practical, community-focused energy solutions that support economic growth and improve quality of life.

Summary of Position:

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive individual with strong attention to detail and a desire to learn.  As an Operations Associate, you will support NRECA International's business development activities and member volunteer program.  Key areas of support include opportunity tracking, proposal coordination, CRM and records maintenance, reporting, travel and logistics, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. This individual will also maintain accurate program information and support efficient execution of business development, volunteer engagement, events, and department operations. This position is eligible for NRECA's hybrid schedule, allowing flexibility to work from home up to two days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supports the identification, tracking, and qualification of funding, partnership, and project opportunities, including maintaining business development pipelines, CRM systems, opportunity trackers, and proposal calendars.
• Coordinates proposal development activities, including schedules, document management, contributor inputs, submission requirements, and supporting materials such as proposal narratives, capability statements, presentations, budgets, and related documentation.
• Conducts research on donors, partners, funding priorities, and market opportunities to support business development planning and proposal preparation.
• Prepares reports, dashboards, and other tracking materials to summarize business development activities, volunteer program participation, program outcomes, and operational metrics.
• Coordinates recruitment, onboarding, communications, assignments, travel, logistics, and administrative requirements for electric cooperative member volunteers in collaboration with program staff and volunteer leaders.
• Maintains volunteer databases, skills inventories, participation records, program documentation, and related records to support accurate reporting and program administration. Supports volunteer recognition activities, program evaluation efforts, and stakeholder engagement related to the member volunteer program.
• Coordinates domestic and international travel arrangements, meetings, workshops, training programs, conferences, and stakeholder events for staff, consultants, volunteers, and international participants.
• Maintains accurate business development, volunteer program, operational, and project records and ensures data quality, completeness, and integrity. Identifies opportunities to improve tracking tools, workflows, records management, and operational processes to support efficiency and service delivery.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One or more years of experience in operations support, project coordination, business development support, proposal coordination, volunteer program administration, international program support, or a related field.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both English and Spanish.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines, schedules, documents, and stakeholder inputs with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare reports, dashboards, correspondence, presentations, proposals, and other business documents.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, maintain confidentiality and sound judgment, travel domestically and internationally, and report to the office when required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CRM systems, data tracking, travel logistics, or event coordination.
• Experience supporting donor-funded programs, international programs, or member-based organizations.
• Additional language capabilities in French and/or Portuguese

Essential Physical Requirements:

•  Requires close visual acuity to perform activities, such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing and writing; viewing a computer terminal; and reading details.

•  Requires ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Salary Range: $58,000–$71,000 annual salary

Final compensation determined by individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

 Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

Additional Requirement:

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail [email protected] or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 'Know Your Rights' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement". 

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify.

For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop.