Strong Homes Program Associate

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:

Strong Homes Program Associate will work closely with the Lead Organizer and Field Program Manager to support program participants, track progress, and research and refine strategies and tactics to improve and grow organizing capacity. As intake point for the program, the person in this position communicates and caters to a diverse audience.

The Program Associate supports program participants and local businesses in completing the Strong Home projects by tracking projects, supporting as needed, and conducting feedback to improve the program. Feedback and program impacts are necessary for reporting to funders and external partners. Data entry, research and reporting will be a crucial responsibility for the Strong Homes Program Associate.

The person in this position will provide valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing work in program design, the non-profit sector, communications, and building the clean energy economy. Program Associate will have support in understanding and creating the essential tools, processes, and strategies of effective organizing, energy efficiency, and community-based initiatives with a fast-growing non-profit.

Based in DC, this could be a part-time to full-time position, based on program need and applicants' experience, until May 1, 2013 with the opportunity for an extension. There could be the opportunity that this position has hybrid responsibilities of a Program Associate and Field Organizer.

Responsibilities:

Customer Generation & Relations (30%):

• Operate the Strong Homes Call Center to field inquiry from the general public
• Build relationships with program participants by engaging and supporting them in their projects
• Respond to customer complaints and coordinate resolution with contractors or others involved

Project Administration (30%):

• Maintain project database, completing necessary data entry and reporting
• Refine and package new tactics & processes to expand opportunities for the program

Strong Homes Project Implementation & Support (25%):

• Develop, send, and receive contractor and program participant documentation
• Communicate regularly with contractors and track progress of Strong Home projects
• Support contractors or collaborate with partner programs on social benefits and energy savings reporting and tracking, as well as other project impacts

Research & Planning (15%):

• Research, synthesize, and create reports about innovative energy efficiency, outreach programs, and social benefit structures to create a more impactful Strong Homes Program

Qualifications:

The Strong Homes Program is looking for applicants who enjoy project design and administration, customer relations, research, and data entry.

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
• Administrative, project management, and/or community organizing experience
• Self-directed, resourceful, balanced and transparent
• Dynamic and flexible team member 
• Proactive and detail oriented with creative ambition
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with ability to resolve conflict
• Knowledge of residential energy efficiency

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 2 references, 1 of which is a current or previous manager

Use your application materials to explain your interest in Groundswell and its mission. Please specify in your cover letter any relevant administrative or project management experiences as it relates to being successful in this position. Your cover letter should explain the skills, experience, and interests that qualify you to fulfill the responsibilities outlined above.

Please apply online.