Green Campus Senior Program Associate (LACCD)

Head-quartered in Washington, DC, the non-profit Alliance to Save Energy promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security. The Alliance's Oakland, California field office implements 2 exciting programs, Green Campus (college level) and Green Schools (K-12).

The Alliance to Save Energy is seeking a full-time Senior Program Associate to assist with development and implementation of the brand new California Community College Green Campus Program out of the Los Angeles Community College District office in Los Angeles, CA.

The existing Green Campus Program is a student-driven energy efficiency and workforce education and training initiative currently serving 12 UC and CSU campuses and Stanford University (13 total). The Green Campus Program employs and manages paid student interns on each participating campus; these interns develop and implement academic and outreach programs that foster energy efficient knowledge and behaviors, and identify operations changes and retrofit opportunities on their campuses. Green workforce education and training is a primary program goal, with interns trained to emerge as highly skilled sustainability and energy efficiency professionals at the time of graduation.

Position Overview:

Working out of LA, but in close collaboration with ASE staff in Oakland, CA and Washington, DC, the Senior Program Associate will manage on-site and day-to-day program tasks of the Green Campus Program in the Los Angeles Community College District and make a significant contribution to the program's strategic direction.

Candidates should have a good eye for detail and, at the same time, be capable of seeing the bigger picture. In addition, the Senior Program Associate must have exceptionally strong written and oral communication skills, along with experience in developing programs, managing projects, speaking in public, and facilitating meetings. Experience working for campus sustainability initiatives is desirable, and a familiarity with both energy efficiency technologies and the California Community College system is a definite plus. Candidates should be self-starters who can juggle multiple tasks with a minimum of supervision and guidance.

The Senior Program Associate will train with and frequently meet with Project Manager and other staff in the Alliance to Save Energy's California field office, located in downtown Oakland, which houses a small, collegial, and busy team of environmental education professionals.

Responsibilities: 

Specific Senior Program Associate duties include:

Program Development/Innovation (approx. 40%):

• Assist with the development and launch of the California Community College Green Campus Program
• Recruit, hire and train new interns
• Identify and liaise with key campus stakeholders (faculty, staff, administrators, etc.)
• Convene and Facilitate initial stakeholder advisory meeting
• Develop program marketing and outreach materials
• Actively identify opportunities to adapt and add value to the community college specific Green Campus Program.
• Work collaboratively with the Alliance to Save Energy Education Team (in Washington DC, Oakland, and Los Angeles) to plan and develop new initiatives as needed
• Regularly communicate with and regularly convene program stakeholders to assist with project and program development and implementation.
• Keep abreast of developments in state and national energy policy/programs and network with others in the energy efficiency field.

Management of Green Campus Intern Teams on 3 - 4 Los Angeles Community College campuses (approx. 35%):

• Recruit, interview, hire, and orient new Green Campus Interns
• Assist interns with project development and implementation, including building strong partnerships with stakeholders; track intern progress:
  o Ensure interns understand their responsibilities and complete program deliverables in a timely fashion.
  o Stimulate communication amongst the community college Green Campus Teams and also with Interns from the full state-wide program.
  o Assist interns in conducting press outreach
  o Facilitate intern partnerships with key administrators, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders
• Visit each campus approximately once every 1 to 3 weeks, or as needed
• Conduct weekly conference calls with intern teams

Special Event Planning/ Conference Presentations (approx. 10%):

• Collaborate with ASE colleagues to plan and implement program-wide Green Campus functions
• Organize workshops and training sessions to support community college Green Campus Intern development
• Deliver and help to plan conference presentations

Administrative Responsibilities (approx. 15%):

• Compile, write, and edit narrative monthly reports (and relevant attachments) to program funders.
• Assist Green Campus Interns in purchasing items for program activities
• Review and approve Intern timesheets
• Assist in budget creation and expense tracking
• Other tasks as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, at a minimum
• Demonstrated project management skills and dedication to environmental causes
• At least 1-2 years professional experience (preference given to candidates with campus organizing - particularly at community colleges - and non-profit experience)

Job requirements:

• Excellent communication/people skills
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task
• Strong meeting planning and facilitation skills
• Strong budget management skills
• Proficient computer skills, including Excel, MS Word, and PowerPoint
• Exceptionally strong writing ability, willingness to copy-edit
• Strong public speaking ability
• Background/ interest in energy efficiency in particular and sustainability in general
• Tolerance for ambiguity and willingness to learn and apply new concepts and skills
• Willingness to travel

Other skills that would be a plus:

• Experience with or knowledge of the California Community College system
• Web/ graphic design experience
• Familiarity with green building concepts / LEED AP

Compensation: Commensurate with experience; excellent benefits (health, dental, vision, 403-b)

Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled. 

Start Date: As soon as possible. Preference will be given to candidates who can begin working in May 2009.

To Apply:

Please e-mail resume, cover letter, 2 references, and 2 writing samples to Renee Lafrenz. No calls, please.