Energy Intern – Berea, KY

Organization: Mountain Association for Community Economic Development

Job Title: Energy Intern

Location: Washington, DC

Hours and Compensation: 32 hours of work per week, stipend of $10-$12 per hour depending on experience

Position Dates: September 3rd, 2012 – April 1st, 2013

Application Deadline: August 17th, 2012

Posted On: July 11th, 2012

Organization Overview

The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) is a 36 year-old multi-strategy sustainable economic development organization that seeks to create economic alternatives that work for people and places in need in Central Appalachia and Kentucky. MACED’s long-term goals are a strong and diverse economy; increased family well-being, particularly for low-income people; healthy and protected land, air and water; and an effective and accountable democracy.

MACED is a fast-paced, dynamic and growing organization with a 30-person staff that manages $21 million in total assets. The organization focuses its efforts on sustainable development and change strategies that generate economic and environmental benefits to people and places. These strategies include: 1) providing financial capital and expertise to individuals, businesses and communities, 2) conducting research and engaging in effective communications to support good public policy, and 3) demonstrating effective community economic development efforts that make a difference. MACED has recently completed a new strategic plan that focuses on two sectors (new energy and sustainable forestry), deepens our commitment to entrepreneur and enterprise development, and promotes the development of a new economic vision in Appalachia and Kentucky.

MACED’s Energy Efficient Enterprises (E3) program works to promote energy efficiency to small businesses, county and local governments and nonprofits located in Appalachian Kentucky by offering consulting services and other resources to ensure that businesses are operating as energy efficiently as possible.

Description

MACED seeks to hire a motivated individual to join its staff as an energy intern. The goal of this thirty-five week (eight month), thirty two hour a week internship is to provide work experience to a person interested in energy efficiency in Kentucky while also providing MACED’s energy programs with qualified, reliable help. The internship will enable the candidate to get a good grasp of the challenges and rewards of doing energy efficiency work in a rural setting in which several electric utilities operate. The candidate will have the benefit of working with experienced professionals and a Certified Energy Manager as well as other MACED staff. In turn, MACED will get assistance with daily work in Energy Efficient Enterprises, and will occasionally receive support on other program work as needed by MACED’s How$martKY and Forestry programs.

Responsibilities

• Accompany energy specialists to do field assessments for either How$martKY or Energy Efficient Enterprises. Take notes, assist with walkthroughs, enter data, take photos, drive MACED vehicle as needed.
• In the office, complete administrative tasks to help program staff.
• Enter data from field visits.
• Write success stories of retrofits as needed.
• Update files in-house and online at maced.org as electric utility rates change.
• Present information to staff at weekly staff meetings if needed.
• Contribute to betterment of systems at MACED as inspiration and insight arises.
• Initiate creative projects that benefit the program.

Qualifications

Knowledge and experience: High school graduate or GED equivalent; knowledge of basic math; experience working with people; basic knowledge of fuel types commonly used in buildings; prior office work experience is required.

Personal characteristics: Honest; conscientious; punctual; responsible; self-motivated; attentive to detail; a sense of humor and relaxed nature are a plus.

Technology and software: Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel and Power Point; familiarity with energy assessment tools is a plus, but not required.

Communications: Candidate should have a pleasant demeanor, be confident about communicating his/her opinion, insight and point out problems or raise questions as they arise; ability to work in office setting where working around others is common and communication is necessary; good phone etiquette for calling to get information from people or arrange appointments, etc.

Physical: Close vision with or without corrective lenses necessary for computer work; manual dexterity needed to operate computer; able to perform assigned duties in a time-efficient manner; driver’s license.

Preferred

A college degree or a candidate pursuing a college degree or energy related trainings/certifications; experience in energy saving efforts, either residential or commercial; interest in Appalachian region; knowledge of rural challenges.

How to Apply