Field Program Manager, Strong Homes Program

Communities have a powerful tool for creating social benefits, one that requires no sacrifice but instead aligns with their own interests as consumers: collective purchasing power.

Groundswell helps communities leverage their collective market power for good by pooling their demand for needed services and linking them with businesses that drive local economic opportunity and sustainability. Through this process, Groundswell helps families and community institutions reduce their energy costs, builds more resilient social impact organizations, and creates economic opportunity by growing inclusive clean energy sectors.

Groundswell has driven nearly $7 million in community-based clean energy projects and has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, GOOD Magazine and FastCompany. In 2011, Groundswell was selected as a Clinton Global Initiative America commitment maker for its model to grow clean energy economic opportunity in communities across the U.S.

For more information visit Groundswell.

Position Overview:

The Field Program Manager will work closely with the Strong Homes Program Lead Organizer and manage Field Organizers, Fellows, and Interns. Field staff will recruit program participants utilizing community-based organizing tactics and networks to facilitate a competitive bid for residential energy efficiency projects on behalf of the groups. The Field Program Manager creates and directs the implementation of the campaign plan while developing partnerships for long-term success of the Strong Homes Program.

Aside from field strategy and management, the person in this position assists the facilitation of the competitive bidding process with local businesses at the core of leveraging economic power for program participants that creates a greater social benefit.

The person in this position will provide valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing work in management, community organizing, the non-profit sector, politics and campaigns, and building the clean energy economy. The Field Program Manager will need to be experienced yet will have support in understanding the essential tools, processes, and strategies of effective management, campaign planning, organizing, energy efficiency, and community-based initiatives with a fast-growing non-profit.

This is a full-time position until May 1, 2013 with the opportunity for an extension. Groundswell's main office is located in DC, yet this position would require regular work in Maryland, with campaign priorities in Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore Counties. The position requires some availability on weeknights and weekends.

Responsibilities:

Field Strategy & Planning (30%):

• Develop and oversee successful implementation of a Field plan for the Strong Homes Program 
• Evaluate campaign effectiveness and proactively provide solutions to barriers

Field Staff Management (30%):

• Train, manage, and coach Field staff ensuring program success with accountability to goals
• Foster personal and professional development among staff at an individual and team level

Strong Homes Project Implementation (10%):

• Support Field Staff in facilitation of the competitive bid process with local businesses
• Collaborate with Groundswell's Development and Communications Departments 

Partnerships & Training (30%):

• Develop and oversee successful implementation of training for volunteers, program participants, partners, Field Staff, and any other relevant trainings
• Build on existing and create new partnerships with community networks and organizations to enlist their support in neighborhood weatherization efforts and explore opportunities for program expansion

Qualifications:

The Strong Homes Program is looking for applicants who enjoy managing people and campaigns, strategic planning, building relationships across the community, training, and has prior management experience, particularly in the context of community or economic organizing. All types of campaign experience, including issue-based, are welcome.

An ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, skills and experience:

• Demonstrated passion and experience working on issues related to community-based economic development or energy service-related initiatives
• Ability to collaborate with multiple partners and stakeholders
• Staff and program/campaign management experience of at least 1 year
• Self-directed, resourceful, balanced, and transparent
• Dynamic and flexible team member and leader who can motivate and foster interdependence
• Proactive and detail oriented with big picture thinking and creativity
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of residential energy efficiency
• Maryland resident (preferred)
• Driver's license

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and competitive with senior management positions at early stage not-for-profits. Benefits include 403(b) retirement and matching, health, dental, and vision insurance, and 15 paid vacation days per year (starting).

Groundswell averages 14-16 paid company holidays (including all federal holidays and a week during winter holidays), adheres to a 37.5 hour work week with a compensatory time policy for over-time work, and, when job responsibilities allow, periodic flexibility in work schedule and location.

To Apply: 

Application Materials Required:

• Resume 
• Cover letter
• Name, Contact Info, and Nature of Relationship for 3 references. 1 from a current or previous manager and another from someone you currently or previously managed.

Use your application materials to explain your interest in Groundswell and its mission. Please highlight any exposure you have to Maryland communities, particularly Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore Counties. Please specify in your cover letter your management philosophy and how that philosophy led to success in a previous experience. Your cover letter should explain the skills, experience, and interests that qualify you to fulfill the Responsibilities outlined above.

Please apply online.