Position Description: Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) is in search of full-time Energy Advisors for our Central New York Regional Clean Energy Hub, an exciting new project developed in partnership with other agencies and organizations in our region. As New York embarks on a transition to an inclusive clean energy powered economy, all residents, businesses and communities across the State will have access to new opportunities to benefit from this transition including clean energy careers, improved energy affordability, home improvements, and rebates for businesses and transportation. There’s a lot of confusing information out there, and people may not know where to start. The Central New York Clean Energy Hub will connect people to the clean energy economy and will provide opportunities for our community members to transform their lives and the lives of their neighbors. Central New York’s Clean Energy hub will focus on providing solutions to our region’s energy affordability and housing challenges faced by disadvantaged communities in our region.
The Energy Advisors will work as a Hub Outreach Team in collaboration with the Hub Outreach Director to reach diverse communities throughout Central New York with Hub materials, workshops, and energy affordability/clean energy opportunities. The ideal candidates are motivated, dependable, and organized problem-solvers who can talk with local residents and businesses about their energy bills, their home improvement needs, their employment needs, and their concerns about health, safety, and the environment in a compassionate and empowering way. The Energy Advisors will implement programs that deliver information in a wide variety of settings, including, but not limited to: outreach at community events; presenting before large audiences; connecting with audiences and stakeholders via one-on-one phone calls and canvassing; following up with leads/clients to provide additional information; assisting leads/clients with navigating every step of applying for relevant energy efficiency and clean energy programs available to them; helping troubleshoot obstacles to adopting clean energy; coordinating with local energy contractors in providing accurate information on the programs, etc.
Responsibilities:
- Participating in the collaborative development of outreach strategies, materials, events, and programs
- Executing all outreach activities, including organizing and presenting at community workshops and events, canvassing, and other grassroots outreach and popular education strategies both in person and virtually
- Assisting community members one-to-one and in group settings with accessing energy affordability programs, exercising their utility consumer rights, applying for free and reduced cost weatherization and heat pumps programs, pursuing energy and cost saving measures in their homes, subscribing to community solar, connecting to clean energy jobs, and more
- Continuously following up with hub participants to offer solutions and trouble-shooting
- Holding “office hours” at various locations around the five counties in Central New York
- Recruiting and working with hub volunteers
- Maintaining effective working relationships with community organizations, local agencies, and other partners to reach members of disadvantaged communities in our region providing as many wrap around services as possible
- Assisting with the development and continuous evolution of communications and outreach materials and the outreach plan based on lessons learned in the field
- Assisting with compiling necessary reports on hub outreach activities as needed to fulfill the hub’s reporting requirements
- Organizing stakeholder engagement events to continuously improve the hub operations and programs, as well as inform NYSERDA’s program design and New York’s transition to a renewable energy economy
Location and travel requirements: This is largely a work-from-home position that will require frequent in-person presence at team meetings and at outreach events throughout Central New York. Candidates must reside within Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, Oswego, or Cortland Counties.
Compensation: The annual compensation for these positions is $40,000 – $50,000, based on experience. We will be hiring a combination of entry-level and more experienced Energy Advisors. Benefits include health and dental insurance, paid personal leave, and generous vacation.
Basic Qualifications required for all Energy Advisors:
- At least 2 years prior work, intern, or volunteer experience demonstrating dependability, ability to work as part of a team, and ability to engage empathetically and politely with vulnerable members of the public
- Patience and a desire to assist people in understanding complex options, applications, and programs
- Ability to work independently, stay organized, and follow through on details in a remote working environment
- Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences in one-to-one and group settings in person, on the phone, and over virtual meeting platforms
- Competency with remote meeting software, word processing (such as google docs or Microsoft office), spreadsheets, and accurately entering data into forms
- Commitment to social and environmental justice
- Flexible schedule – some nights and weekends will be needed to hold workshops and events at times that working people can attend
- Access to reliable transportation and an ability to transport workshop materials to events
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to build relationships with diverse audiences and work to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment for program participants and colleagues
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach strategies and to course-correct as well as an ability to accept and integrate constructive feedback
Team Qualifications
We will be looking for a variety of skills and competencies across our 4-person Outreach Team. Candidates with any of the following qualifications/experience are highly encouraged to apply:
- Construction, energy auditing, HVAC installation, solar installation, and/or weatherization experience
- Building science credentials (such as BPI certification)
- Graphic design, multimedia, website, and other communications skills
- Community organizing
- Experience providing services to disadvantaged communities and low income households
- Financial education or advising experience
- Fluency in Spanish
- Community connections to the region’s disadvantaged communities
- Social work
- Education
- Relevant lived experience facing the types of energy and housing challenges the hub seeks to address
- Experience making clean energy and efficiency improvements in own home/apartment
How to Apply: Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis; the position will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are identified. Applicants should submit a letter of application and a resume to AGREE’s Deputy Director at avni@agreeny.org. The letter of application will be the most important determining document for who will be interviewed for the position. The letter should be 2-5 pages and should summarize relevant experience and skills. The letter should also discuss why the applicant is enthusiastic to work on this position.
Questions? Contact AGREE’s Deputy Director: avni@agreeny.org or (315) 480-1515 x 705