Tompkins Community Energy Educator - Ithaca, NY

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

23d•$22 - $22

About The Position

The Community Energy Educator 1 will primarily assist with the teaching of energy efficiency and clean energy education programs in the Southern Tier Region, with at least half of their time focused on Tompkins County, and some in surrounding counties. This position is also responsible for working as a team member and providing input to his/her/their supervisor on implementation and evaluation of these energy programs. This position, alongside other Energy Team members, will work to inform residents, multifamily building owners, and small businesses, with an emphasis on low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses. 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; speaking to community residents at food pantries and mobile food distribution sites; presenting before large audiences; 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; connecting interested residents with green job training and employment opportunities; coordinating with local energy contractors in providing accurate information on the programs, and with community partners to deliver relevant information and education to focus residents; etc. This position will work with community groups, energy contractors, supervisor and other team members to coordinate and implement engaging educational programs. The position may, assist with training, engaging or coordinating the work of volunteers and interns in program delivery. This position will also serve as a subject matter resource and carry out administrative tasks that support the educational program and fulfill funding requirements. The position will be supervised by the Director of the Regional Clean Energy Hub, Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, with additional support and program direction from the Community Energy Adviser Lead, and other senior members of the regional Energy team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate’s Degree and 2 years of transferrable program/functional experience).
Experience relevant to the position, including but 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 receive subsidized housing services
Experience working independently, as well as an effective team member.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to build relationships with diverse audiences and work to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment for program participants and colleagues.
Demonstrated 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 earnest desire to empower households and communities to create change, and a matching patience to move at the speed of trust.
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.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Mandarin, Spanish, Karen or other languages is highly desirable
Experience establishing and working with community stakeholders, especially those with limited income.
Experience working with, and assisting in developing institutional relationships in Tompkins County
Valid NYS Driver’s License
Experience working as a volunteer or supervising volunteers.
Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
Aptitude for digital technologies and strategies for educational and communication applications.
Empathy, sincerity, and an ability to find a silver lining when faced with challenges.

Responsibilities

Program Delivery - 70%
Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
Use a variety of delivery methods including workshops, public events, articles, web pages and social media to deliver program.
Teach clean energy education programming per established Plan of Work.
Represent the Energy Team to the public and community leaders in a professional manner as part of program delivery.
Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to adapt materials created by the Energy Team and other professionals to create lesson plans that meet local community and individual needs, and consider diverse audiences.
Assist in maintaining linkages with Cornell and other SUNY institutions as part of program delivery.
Engage volunteers and interns in program delivery using established materials.
Serve as subject matter resource and respond to questions about energy efficiency.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and the Energy Education Team to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Program Evaluation - 10%
Interact with program participants to gather informal program evaluation information.
Work with the Energy Team to interpret evaluation information based on existing program parameters and assist supervisor to make recommendations for improvement to program offerings.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as directed.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Direction - 5%
Work in cooperation with the Energy Team to help establish priorities, objectives, and programming for the Clean Energy Program that are supportive of the Association’s mission.
Assist in the planning of public events and program activities.
Assist in identifying opportunities for fund development activities.
Assist in directing/organizing community focus groups and/or advisory committees to support programming initiatives.
Assist in fostering effective professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
Management - 5%
Recruit, train, supervise and support interns and volunteers involved with program outreach and delivery including matching tasks to the individuals, providing informal feedback, problem-solving and regular communication, per established policies and procedures.
Using priorities set by the Energy Team and supervisor, direct the work of interns.
Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Program Supervisor and Energy Team as identified.
Coordination/Operation - 5%
Collect, compile and submit to supervisor the information needed for narrative and financial reports to meet funding agency requirements.
Collect budgetary information as needed and relay to supervisor for review.
Assist in gathering information for grant/contract proposals as needed.
Assist supervisor in supporting the administrative needs of writing grant/contract proposals as requested to ensure continued funding.
Professional Improvement and other duties as assigned - 5%
In cooperation with supervisor and/or Issue Leader, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes in programming and Association priorities.
Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Extension programs and other duties as assigned.
Health and Safety - applied to all duties and functions
Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
Be familiar and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.