HOME > CONTACT > GET INVOLVED > EFFICIENCY CONTRACTING PARTNERSHIPS ASSISTANT
Efficiency Contracting Partnerships Assistant
Intern with Cooperative Energy Futures though the Minnesota Project
Position Title: CEF Efficiency Contracting Partnerships Assistant
Time Period: September-December 2009 (can be continued if desired), 5-10 hrs/week, start-end times variable.
Compensation: Volunteer. Can be credit bearing if approved by academic institution.
Supervised By: CEF Operations Advisor, Jason Rodney
Work Format: Much of the time commitment of the Efficiency Contracting Partnerships Assistant will be independent and flexible as they are contacting and working with contractors, who are often busy and keep their own schedules. This position will work with existing CEF leaders to understand the process and objectives of contractor partnerships and then do more outreach to talk with contractors, identify their willingness to work with us, and ensure appropriate quality control of services in coordination with expert partners. Applicants must be able to check in in-person with the CEF Operations Advisor at least once every two weeks at Macalester College in St. Paul, and check in via phone (or in-person if preferred) during the intervening weeks. Use of a personal computer and willingness to schedule and manage meetings with contractors on your own is highly encouraged, though applicants can also work more closely with CEF leaders to figure out these logistics.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: The CEF Efficiency Contracting Partnerships Assistant will work to identify efficiency contractors (insulation, air-sealing, etc.) – with a preference for those who have demonstrated quality assurance, are based in the communities they serve, and use hiring equity and equal opportunity workforce development access. The Efficiency Contractor Partnerships Assistant will be in charge of contacting potential contractor partners, working with CEF leaders to establish strong ongoing partnership relationships, and working with the contractors to establish the contracting process, bulk discount pricing, and negotiate business relations. The Efficiency Contractor Partnerships Assistant will work with at least five potential contractor partners to identify at least two that CEF can work with, and will work with CEF leaders to link these contractors with initial community projects that other CEF members are developing. By the end of the internship, the Contractor Partnerships Assistant should be able to train new volunteers into the process.
Experience and Competencies: Applicants should have strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and negotiation skills. They should be highly self-motivated, and be able to stay on track without intense outside supervision. Interest in cost-effective, community-based approaches to efficiency, clean energy, and sustainable economic development is important. Willingness to pursue potential partnerships largely independently, manage tense and sometimes confusing relationships with contractors, and ensuring that long term relationships between CEF and the contractor partners are built. Creativity, motivation, and interest in socially and environmentally driven entrepreneurship are also valuable.
Experience Gained: An insider view into a start-up cooperative focused on community based energy and solutions to climate change. Practice engaging potential business partners in the operation of a community-based energy organization. Experience working to identify collective strengths and negotiate between potential partners based on mutual benefit, and find ways that help both parties. Learn about the basics of home efficiency trades, the Minnesota market for these jobs, and how we might create new jobs and demand.
How to Apply: Please send a resume describing relevant experiences and a cover letter stating why you are interested in this internship to jasonrodney@gmail.com
View other internships:
