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Neighborhood Organizer
Intern with Cooperative Energy Futures though the Minnesota Project
Position Title: CEF Neighborhood Organizer
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 neighborhood organizer will be independent and flexible as they are contacting neighborhood partners, designing and deploying outreach materials, and coordinating with residents. Applicants should be willing to be flexible about when and how they work with community partners, keeping in mind that informal neighborhood groups tend to be more available on evenings and weekends. 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 get to neighborhood meetings 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 Neighborhood Organizer will work to identify community and neighborhood partners (organizations, community groups, schools, churches) and work with them on engaging community members in the energy efficiency and community energy opportunities CEF provides. The Neighborhood Organizer will be in charge of contacting potential partnership groups, working with them to identify needs and constituencies to serve, and work with other CEF leaders to coordinate bulk buying, group contracting, workshops, and other efficiency opportunities for those neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Organizer will be responsible for making contacts and building basic relationships in at least four neighborhoods, and working more intensively in at least one that is interested to engage communities in the home energy efficiency and clean energy work that CEF does during the Fall of 2009. The Neighborhood Organizer will be using the basic organizing method CEF has developed with mentorship and support from current CEF leaders, and thinking critically and creatively about how to engage residents more effectively. By the end of the internship, the Neighborhood Organizer should be able to train new volunteers into the process.
Experience and Competencies: Applicants should have strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication 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 the logistics of coordinating with a large number of community members, and stay in touch with partners is essential. 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 community groups through grassroots outreach methods and networking with partner organizations. Experience organizing communities through a developed organizing process that can be replicated in future work. Ability to tailor approaches to community needs, organize in ways that empower local participation, leadership, and customization, and skills deploying front-line energy efficiency and clean energy solutions in communities.
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
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