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Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Fellow - Climate Corps AmeriCorps
6/7/2021 4:15:41 PM Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development
Job
Fellowship
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development
Monthly Stipend $2115
End of Program Award $6345
Location
Position Title: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Fellow - Climate Corps AmeriCorps
Term of Service: Full-time, September 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
Time requirements: 40 hours/week; 1,700 hours in 11 month term
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Organization description:
Contra Costa County (County) is a diverse county of nearly 1.2 million people, 170,000 of whom live in communities in the unincorporated County. Contra Costa County extends from the San Francisco Bay to the San Joaquin Delta. Along the northern waterfront of the Carquinez Straits are located 7 of the 10 largest industrial pollution sources in the Bay Area including 4 refineries (2 of which are in the process of retooling to refine renewable fuel), a power plant, and others. There are 25 census tracts in Contra Costa County that are in the top 25 percent of the CalEnviroScreen Disadvantaged Communities analysis. All of the under-resourced communities in Contra Costa County are located near large industrial sites.
Contra Costa County has a vibrant agriculture sector in East County. Contra Costa County is home to several East Bay Regional Parks and Mt. Diablo State Park, as well county and local parks. The County is in the process of updating its General Plan for the first time in 30 years, as well as its Climate Action Plan and zoning codes.
The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) provides permitting and planning services for the County in one department, allowing DCD to integrate land use and zoning considerations. DCD has lead responsibility for the County’s land use planning, code enforcement, energy efficiency, solid waste, transportation planning, environmental sustainability, habitat preservation, and economic development. DCD also manages policy and planning work in all of the CAP issue areas.
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Position Description: The Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Fellow will support DCD staff in managing County Energy Efficiency and Sustainability programs. Activities are expected to include:
- Provide administrative support for County Sustainability Committee and Sustainability Commission meetings.
- Assist in the implementation of various County-wide Energy Efficiency programs offered through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) www.bayren.org
- Provide marketing and outreach support to promote BayREN programs throughout County (i.e. online and in-person (when allowed) workshops, develop social media/website content, etc.)
- Provide support for hosting regularly scheduled coordination meetings with City staff to provide updates on energy efficiency programs and policy updates throughout the County.
- Assist in development and implementation of a potential Building Electrification REACH Code.
- Provide support on updating and implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan, including developing a progress dashboard.
- Support implementation of the Climate Emergency Resolution adopted in September 2020, including facilitation of a task force of department heads focused on actions the County can take, and development of a process to help the County plan for a “Just Transition” away from a fossil-fuel dependent economy, with consideration for how the County’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic can incorporate the County’s climate goals.
- Research and write a quarterly Sustainability Corner newsletter that educates County employees and the community about the County’s climate action work.
Supervisor: Demian Hardman-Saldana
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About Climate Corps AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a national service commitment that meets a community’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Climate Corps AmeriCorps partners with local government, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across California to provide full-time service opportunities in the Bay Area supporting communities’ critical needs in building climate resilience. Climate Corps AmeriCorps fellows dedicate 1,700 hours of service in exchange for leadership and career development, and a living stipend supported by our AmeriCorps grant. Climate Corps AmeriCorps is an exciting opportunity for service-minded individuals who are passionate about building climate resilience for communities. For more information, please visit www.americorps.gov.
Basic Eligibility
- AmeriCorps fellows must:
- Be US citizens or legal permanent residents
- Have a high school diploma/GED
- Be 17 years old or older
- Pass state criminal and FBI background checks, and a national check in the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Registry
- Test negatively for tuberculosis
- Be able and willing to commit to the 11-month service term
- Be able and willing to work remotely if needed due to ongoing COVID-19 public health considerations and shelter-in-place orders.
Desired Skills or Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Interest in local government and the world of energy policy
- Passionate about sustainability and the environment
- Understanding about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
- Takes initiative and enjoys engaging with co-workers and partners in other organizations/agencies
- Interest in working in an office environment
- Interest in facilitating or running meetings/webinars/conference calls
- Comfortable with Word and Excel
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Ability to complete assignments in a thorough, accurate and timely manner
- Proficient in English (verbal and written)
Benefits of service
- Opportunity to learn and be mentored by veteran planners committed to equity and environmental sustainability, and to work on range of issues and interact with senior decision makers
- Receive a living allowance stipend of $2,255 per month
- Receive free MEC healthcare, child care support, and qualifying federal student loan deferment throughout your term of service.
- Upon the successful completion of your 1,700 hours and term of service, receive a Segal Education Award of $6,345.
- Receive ongoing training & support, including a 4-day orientation, monthly trainings, a 2-day retreat, and personal professional development support.
- Benefit from the robust, ever-growing Climate Corps network of partner organizations and alumni.
- Develop sustainability skills, implement impactful climate change resiliency projects, and build partnerships in your community.
- Broaden environmental knowledge in County local government operations.
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Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
BACR is an equal opportunity employer. We cultivate an environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees and National Service members. We are firmly committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. Therefore, we enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this equal opportunity policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.