Director, Energy Partnerships

SUMMARY

Under the immediate supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Energy Partnerships will be responsible for managing and directing the National Community Action Partnership’s (NCAP) Weatherization and Energy portfolio including oversight for all grants, projects, and energy-related events. They will inform program and policy agenda items related to energy and regularly interface with interest groups and coalitions addressing issues around energy broadly and weatherization specifically focused on ensuring the perspective of programs serving families and communities is included.  In addition, the Director will provide training and technical assistance to the Community Action Network to support network engagement on core energy and weatherization issues at the local, state, and national levels. The position manages all energy and weatherization initiatives; leads the implementation of start-up of new opportunities, funded by foundation sources, government grants, through membership revenue, and fee for service; provides direct, expert training and technical assistance to CAAs, Associations, and partners; supports the NCAP’s Equity agenda; leads, encourages, mentors, and develops project staff; and advises the CEO on the implementation of NCAP’s vision, values, as well as energy-related policy, regulation, and industry trends. The position is DC-based but may be remote for a candidate with significant experience. The Director engages in regular overnight travel across the US. The salary range is $100,000-115,000K.

The nation’s Community Action Agencies are a robust, state and local force – reaching children and families in 99% of America’s counties with life-changing services, from early childhood education to job training to services for seniors. The National Community Action Partnership is the national hub that links the nation’s 1,000+ Community Action Agencies to each another – and to leaders looking for solutions that connect Americans to greater opportunity.

TO APPLY:     

External Applicants: Send cover letter, writing sample, and resume to jobs@communityactionpartnership.com.

Internal NCAP Applicants: Send cover letter, writing sample, and resume to J Tolbert.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Energy and Weatherization

• Manage and direct ongoing program portfolio activities.  
• Act as senior learning and dissemination officer for the portfolio.
• Work in partnership with the Project Director for Energy Partnership
• Develop and manage budget, deliverables, timeline, work plans, and reporting. Understand and effectively use financial management systems to provide good fiscal oversight related to full portfolio.
• Provide analysis, research, training/technical assistance, and material development on a range of issues related to energy efficiency, weatherization, and innovation impacting families with low incomes and struggling communities. This may include but not be limited to leveraging weatherization, use of renewable energy installations, E/Vs, etc.
• Ensure tools and resources provided are relevant, up to date, and meet the needs of Weatherization sub-grantees, Community Action Agencies, and others working in this space.
• Research and report on a wide range of weatherization and energy-related issues related to poverty and energy relevant for the Community Action Network. Draft summary briefs and other substantive communication materials that explain energy-related issues to various audiences and that can be used by local agencies and state associations for local, state, and national advocacy. This would include one-pagers, issue papers, talking points, infographics, and other visuals useful in information dissemination.
• Provide training and technical assistance to local Community Action Agencies and State Associations in relevant portfolio areas.
• Develop strong partnership with colleague organizations in the energy sector.
• o    Provide primary staffing support to the Board’s Energy Partnership’s Task Force and the Partnership for Climate Resilience Task Force.  Participate in the board’s Strategic Vision and Program Committees.
• Develop messages for multiple audiences including Weatherization sub-grantees, Community Action Agencies, general public, policy makers, regulators,
• Serve as team lead on research and resource curation related to energy issues related to poverty.
• Respond to CAA, State Association, and State CSBG Lead Agency T/TA requests focused on weatherization and energy.
• Participate and represent NCAP in a range of coalition activities, including attending organization conferences whose energy policy content intersects with Community Action.
• Develop and deploy communications strategy to position Community Action as anti-poverty experts.
• Manage and implement multi-year governmental, private, philanthropic, and membership supported initiatives:
• Manage staff, budgets, deliverables, timelines, contractors, work plans, and reporting.
• Implement the start-up of new opportunities.
• Project design
• Budgets
• Implementation
• Lead in planning and training activities for NCAP’s Annual Convention and Management and Leadership Training Conference and lead NCAP’s Energy-related content at each event.
• Coordinate the network dissemination strategy for energy related issues including web platforms, social media, and written publications.
• Support research and content development related to new publications, provide lead authorship on reports, articles, and other documents, and serve as a member of the writing and editorial team for other NCAP work products.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with organizations who have aligned missions.
• Communicate and participate in meetings with national partners on national priorities and activities.
• Manage and work on multiple projects, work within tight deadlines, and prioritize work as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Agency Leadership

• Member of the NCAP’s Expanded Leadership Team
• Support NCAP external efforts to center capacity building, operational implementation and network engagement in equity. To read more about the NCAP’s mission, vision, and values click here.
• Serve as trusted advisor and thought-partner to the CEO on implementation of portfolio priorities.
• Increase Community Action visibility by representing NCAP as needed at state and national Community Action events, including plenary and workshop sessions.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Report and present to the Board on key energy-related topics, as needed.
• Assist with the coordination and integration of energy and weatherization into other NCAP programs.
• Participate in Community Action events to strengthen existing relationships, help establish new partnerships and stay abreast of trends and policy changes related to energy and weatherization.
• Coordinate T&TA activities and resources with non-CAA and industry groups.
• Other duties as assigned by the CEO.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of division staff. Some personnel may be supervised by middle managers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least seven years of experience in a setting focused on energy, weatherization, utility assistance/advocacy, etc.  Experience working directly with Community Action Agencies and/or Weatherization sub-grantees preferred but not required.
• Four-year Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree.
• Grants management experience.
• Knowledge, experience, and demonstrated interest with issues related to poverty and economic security.
• Understanding of non-profit organizations’ functioning and operations.
• Knowledge of federal, state or utility energy affordability programs (e.g. Weatherization and LIHEAP).
• Expertise in utility and other energy market regulations, environmental justice issues and solutions, income inequality, health determinants of poverty and demonstrated research skills, particularly skill with quantitative analysis are of great value to the position.
• Must demonstrate strong writing and editing skills and the ability to convey information on complex issues both verbally and in writing and have experience speaking in formal and informal settings.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills with diverse audiences, balancing multiple internal and external audiences.
• Be a self-starter as well as a team-oriented individual with strong interpersonal skills and a positive, professional attitude.
• Demonstrated success in implementing projects including producing with written deliverables, reporting and financial tracking.
• Ability to work remotely when on work travel.
• Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP).  Will be expected to pursue CCAP once eligible if not already certified.

 Other Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience/expertise in:
• Ability to interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Project planning, budgeting, and management/administration.
• Coalition or Learning Cluster management/staffing
• Results-oriented management and accountability (ROMA) or comparable system
• Excellent oral, written, and group communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and high ethical standards.
• Sensitivity to diverse cultures, races, and low-income family situations.
• Ability to think creatively and be a key contributor to NCAP goals.
• Ability to build and grow mutually beneficial business relationships across industries and geographies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• The noise level in the regular work environment is usually moderate.
• The ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the area.
• Must be able to travel by air to attend training, conferences, project sites, and related activities.
• Regular overnight, out of state travel is required approximately 30% of the time.