Program Officer, Renewable Energy — Oakland, CA

Organization: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA

Job Title: Program Officer, Renewable Energy Division

Location: Oakland, CA

Hours and Compensation: Full Time & $50-60,000

Application Deadline: 9/21/12

Posted On: 9/13/12

Organization Overview

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI) is the largest and oldest association of local governments in the United States that is focused specifically on sustainability, climate protection, and climate change adaptation. The organization has approximately 550 city and county members, representing around 25 percent of the national population. ICLEI develops and delivers leading-edge tools and resources to support local governments in their climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and sustainability efforts, and also provides services such as training which enhance those governments’ effectiveness in applying the tools and resources.

Description

The Technical Assistance Program Officer delivers ICLEI’s renewable energy activities under the direction of the Director of Renewable Energy Programs. This position will work with fellow staff to further ICLEI’s repertoire of tools, resources, and information that are provided to ICLEI’s national membership to assist them with meeting their sustainability goals. Initial efforts will focus on SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership (SolarOPs) efforts to help communities throughout the United States remove barriers in their local solar markets.

The position will preferably be based in Washington, DC, or Oakland, CA and will require some travel throughout the continental U.S.

Responsibilities

A. General

1. Assist local governments in the identification and development of policies, programs and practices to reduce GHG emissions through implementation of clean energy solutions
2. Represent ICLEI and its members at meetings and conferences
3. Maintain an active knowledge of renewable energy markets, technologies and techniques for local governments to increase deployment of renewable energy
4. Recruit new jurisdictions to participate in ICLEI’s campaigns and initiatives

B. Program Management and Oversight

1. Work with Renewable Energy Program Director and Outreach Program Officer to coordinate and report on activities and budget under the SunShot Solar program
2. Update ICLEI’s internal Salesforce database with local government contacts and clean energy implementation measures
3. Update SolarOPs database with local government contacts and technical assistance services received
4. Maintain current knowledge of and communications with solar-focused local government technical assistance programs
5. Maintain program activities map

1. Work with Outreach Program Officer to respond to requests for information and provide timely technical assistance to local governments

C. Management of SolarOPs Direct Technical Assistance Services

1. Manage communications with all direct TA applicants
2. Manage database of requests for direct technical assistance
3. Ensure timely delivery of services
4. Ensure that all direct TA reporting requirements are met

D. Management of SolarOPs ‘Ask an Expert’ Services

1. Coordinate with SolarOPs team and industry experts to provide timely responses to questions that are received via the ‘Ask an Expert’ portal on the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Resource Center.
2. Maintain database of questions and responses via ‘Ask an Expert’ channels and ensure that SolarOPs and Solar Energy Resource Center web pages are kept current
3. Field technical questions relayed by ICLEI member support staff, ICMA, DOE and any other contacts

E. Coordinate Peer Support Activities

1. Coordinate individual and regional peer support activities drawing on network of solar practitioners and other program contacts to provide advice and mentorship

F. Regional Workshops, Technical Workshops and Stakeholder Meetings

1. Support delivery of regional educational workshops with an eye toward identifying and addressing participant needs through other SolarOPs TA offerings
2. Facilitate SolarOPs expert representation at local government stakeholder meetings to provide policy and decision makers expertise and guidance on topics pertaining to relevant solar policies and best practices

G. Marketing and Communications

1. Provide compelling TA stories and program highlights to Communications Officer on an ongoing basis in support of external communications
2. Coordinate marketing of all technical assistance offerings with Communications Officer and ICMA to ensure optimal uptake of offerings
3. Provide internal updates to ICLEI-USA staff highlighting trends and successes coming out of TA activities

Qualifications

Eligible applicants will possess advanced knowledge of or experience working with local governments on the topics of energy and/or sustainability initiatives, particularly of solar energy. ICLEI prefers candidates who hold an advanced degree in a technical, planning or policy-related field and have at least two years of work experience in energy/climate, planning, transportation, waste, urban environmental issues, or related fields OR who hold BA/BS degree and possess five years of relevant experience. Applicant must possess excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, communications, and writing skills; be able to work independently as well as collaboratively; and be willing to travel, as necessary. Ideal applicants will possess knowledge of local and regional planning and politics.

Requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Strong relationship-building skills and political sensitivity for working effectively with local government staff, funding staff, and elected officials;
• Work with/for local governments and/or national environmental non-profit organizations on local renewable energy issues, particularly solar energy;
• Demonstrated experience maintaining systems to monitor projects and resource expenditures;
• Demonstrated public speaking experience and strong writing skills;
• Experience in workshop development and leading training sessions;
• Ability to work with a high level of independence.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resumé to: [email protected]. Please include “TA Program Officer” in the subject field.