Community Energy Educator

This position will serve as a Community Energy Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County. The Community Energy Educator will primarily assist with the teaching of energy efficiency and clean energy education programs in the Long Island Region, specifically in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This position is also responsible for working as a team member and providing input to the supervisor on implementation and evaluation of these energy programs. This position, alongside other Energy Team members, will work to inform residents, primarily single-family homeowners, but also renters, multifamily building owners, not-for-profits and small businesses, with an emphasis in low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses.

The Community Energy Educator will develop and maintain working relationships with community partners and local stakeholders to address energy inequities through energy efficiency improvements, clean energy programs, and workforce development opportunities. This program will deliver information and provide education in a wide variety of settings, including, but not limited to: providing educational tables/booths at community events; presenting before large audiences, including Energy Literacy Workshops; making one-on-one phone calls; following up with leads/clients to provide additional information; assist 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 strategies; coordinating with local energy contractors in providing accurate information on the programs, etc. This position will work with community groups, energy contractors, and supervisory and other team members to coordinate and implement engaging educational programs, including assisting with training, engaging or coordinating of some staff, volunteers, and interns in program delivery. This position will also serve as a subject matter resource expert and carry out administrative tasks that support the educational program and fulfill funding requirements. The Community Energy Educator may be tasked to identify new grant funding opportunities and to develop and write grant applications that support new initiatives and grow programmatic coverage beyond currently existing duties. Immediate oversight and direction will be provided by the Association Resource Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, with additional support and leadership from senior members of the Long Island Clean Energy Hub team.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent education (Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of transferrable program/functional experience). Experience relevant to the role of the position, may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
  • teaching non-formal educational programs, with a preference for experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy, or related topics.
  • social work with an emphasis on housing/energy assistance.
  • assisting low-income households receiving subsidized housing services.
  • community outreach and civic engagement.
  • familiarity with delivering government services, and/or other non-profit services, including rebate programs, grants, incentives, and other financial loans and services.
• Experience working independently, as well as an effective team member.

• Ability to create and develop new programs and to seek out and secure funding for new programmatic efforts.
• Demonstrate ability and willingness to build relationships with diverse audiences and work to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment for program participants and colleagues.
• Demonstrate ability to learn new information and communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities according to those set with the team and immediate supervisor.
• An interest in clean energy and green sustainability.
• A passion to empower households in disadvantaged communities to create cleaner, more affordable, and more just living and working environments.
• Experience with Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check standards (DMV and criminal background checks).
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish and/or other languages is highly desirable.
• Experience establishing and working with community stakeholders, especially those with limited income.
• Experience writing, securing and administering grants.
• Experience overseeing staff or supervising volunteers.
• Familiarity with local energy generation, transmission, and sourcing on Long Island.
• Technical expertise in any of the fields of energy generation and production, transmission and delivery, solar energy production, wind energy production, housing weatherization and energy efficiency, heat pumps and geothermal energy production, electric vehicles, etc. is highly desirable.
• Aptitude for digital technologies and strategies for educational and communication applications.
• Empathy, sincerity, patience, and an eagerness to learn and build trust in disadvantaged communities.

POSITION DETAILS:

Salary: $31-38 per hour

Schedule: NONEXEMPT – Regular: 40hrs/wk

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available