CPN seeks Solar Co-op Coordinator for West Virginia program

By Emily Stiever on September 7, 2016

About the Position

Community Power Network (including DC SUN, MD SUN, WV SUN, VA SUN, and OH SUN) is seeking a WV SUN Co-op Coordinator to support our solar co-op work in West Virginia. The Coordinator will support the WV SUN Program Director in implement solar co-op programs in West Virginia, as well as conduct extensive communications, outreach, press, and trainings around the solar co-op model, with the goal of scaling up their impact and reach.

The Coordinator will also build out the online web infrastructure for the WV SUN website, to provide in-depth information on solar basics, as well as serve as an invaluable resource and forum for policy discussions and citizen engagement.

The position will begin as a full-time role, with responsibility for ensuring the WV SUN program meets its program goals. CPN staff will provide strategic oversight and support, including supporting the use of our organization-wide Salesforce contact management database and shared materials. The Coordinator will function as part of the CPN team to deploy the solar co-ops.

Qualified applicants will have at least three years work experience, a strong understanding of effective organizing techniques, an ability to develop relationships with community members and organizations, and a strong motivation to help grow this program. The Coordinator will be responsible for significant travel across the state to host information meetings and meet with co-op members, including a number of evening meetings.

Job Description and Duties

Launch and grow new solar co-ops (90%)

  1. Identify new co-op opportunities and implement new solar co-ops.
    1. Develop or work with community anchor partners to build new co-op groups.  Develop strong constructive working relationship that will last the length of the co-op and evolve toward larger state level efforts.
    2. Develop outreach strategy for each co-op.

i.     Identify communication opportunities.

ii.     Develop modes of dissemination.

iii.     Establish partnerships.

iv.     Pursue media opportunities.

v.     Plan web, print, online, phone and in person meetings.

  1. Recruit, nurture and empower additional volunteers to help implement outreach strategies for co-op.
  2. Plan and host meetings and info calls.
  3. Develop and refine ongoing marketing plans and engagement strategy to build excitement and keep people involved.
  4. Conduct co-op info sessions and hold public meetings.
  5. Maintain back office infrastructure and communications with participants.
    1. Track sign ups and screen participant roofs.
    2. Respond to inquiries, questions, and concerns of participants.
    3. Provide weekly updates to participants on status of their group, action items, and answers to frequently asked questions.
    4. Identify and respond to issues when program not going well (adaptive management).
    5. Develop and deploy daily online communications strategy on social media, to keep participants engaged with process.
    6. Develop and deploy information sheets for participants based on Florida-specific solar info, such as SRECs 101, FAQs, About Inverters, etc.
    7. Work with the Communications Manager to implement streamlined communications plan that can be replicated and shared for future groups.
    8. Engage installers and track progress for each co-op.
      1. Collect installer selection criteria preferences from participants.
      2. Maintain RFP notification list.
      3. Develop and issue RFPs.
      4. Evaluate RFPs, develop cover sheet for selection committee meetings, and provide materials to participants.
      5. Chair selection committee meetings and facilitate discussion.
      6. Facilitate weekly calls with installers, troubleshoot issues check in on progress, and identify information to communicate to participants in weekly emails.
      7. Evaluate progress and derive metrics and lessons learned for each group.
      8. Improve process and design of bulk purchase programs.
        1. Continually identify opportunities to improve communications with participants to help them better understand solar technology and the bulk purchase process.
        2. Continually improve materials for group, including content and design/look.
        3. Continually improve efficiency of group and process, with the goal of increasing close rates and having a greater impact.
        4. Build a database of media/blog/listserv contacts that can be used to recruit participants or used for policy outreach.
        5. Highlight the successes of solar co-ops through outreach and earned media.
          1. Plan and implement celebration parties after events and invite elected officials, disseminate pictures, and promote press coverage to build visibility of CPN and state networks.

Administration and Fundraising (10%)

  1. Support the further growth of the program via fundraising efforts.
    1. Develop and maintain content on WV SUN website.
    2. Track hours, invoicing, expense accounts, and WV SUN program budget.
    3. Help fundraise, write grants, and pro-actively identify new opportunities for funding for the program, and work to expand and diversify the funding.
    4. Compile and evaluate monthly metrics on the program goals.
    5. Recruit and supervise volunteers and interns.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/nancy-HOA-1.jpg at jobs@solarunitedneighbors.org.