Clean Energy Program Manager

Memphis TNFriends of the Earth-U.S., founded by David Brower in 1969, is the U.S. voice of the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, with a presence in 75 countries. Friends of the Earth works to defend the environment and champion a more healthy and just world. We are a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for more than 45 years, resulting in landmark environmental laws, precedent-setting legal victories and groundbreaking reforms of domestic and international regulatory, corporate and financial institution policies.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are sustainable and safe for our health and the environment, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them.

In order to address the risks posed by catastrophic climate change, the US, along with all other countries, must move decisively to replace fossil fuels and nuclear power with greenhouse gas free renewable energy, energy storage and energy efficiency technologies. The promise of a 100% renewable energy future is not fantasy but a necessity. Friends of the Earth is dedicated to assuring that the green energy transition can and will be made while assuring environmental and economic justice.

Friends of the Earth’s Clean Energy program is working to transform the Tennessee Valley Authority from a federal utility committed to generating electricity from climate and environment destroying coal, gas and nuclear power to one which leads the country in applying energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in the quest to assure its customers with low cost, safe, clean energy for economic development across the region. A particular focus of the program is to work with activists and community and business leaders in Memphis to develop ambitious efficiency and solar power programs to address poverty and the need for job creation in Memphis, Tennessee.

Position overview

Friends of the Earth seeks a dynamic, experienced and motivated person who has substantive experience in managing programs or campaigns involving NGO coalitions, unions, industry groups and political leaders. The right candidate for this position has a demonstrated track record of bringing people and organizations together in successful efforts to promote and realize change.

The Clean Energy Program Manager will coordinate Friends of the Earths efforts in Memphis and Tennessee to develop and implement ambitious new efficiency/weatherization and solar power program which will lower peoples’ utility bills and generate new clean energy jobs. S/he will work with other activists, organizations, community groups, unions, industry groups and political leaders on projects related to developing and implementing efficiency/weatherization and solar power program in Memphis and West Tennessee. S/he will oversee: the production of informational materials, public education campaigns, and efforts to mobilize unions, industry groups, and policy makers on programs to provide low-cost energy to low-income communities. S/he will provide strategic guidance to FOE’s campaigns and will help manage the organization’s TVA effort.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Manage organizing work with other community groups and activists to educate and mobilize in the low income community about the need to develop ambitious, cutting edge efficiency/weatherization programs that will lead to significant reductions in utility bills for Memphians

Work with community groups, unions, and business interests to promote solar power pilot projects in Memphis and West Tennessee that will “prove” that solar power is a lower cost, cleaner, safer alternative to the fossil/nuclear power driven electricity sold by the TVA

Manage production of public materials and presentations that will be used for an organizing/education push in Memphis in support of our ambitious efficiency and renewable energy agenda.

Initiate and manage efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with city officials.

Represent Friends of the Earth in meetings with coalition leaders, policy makers and industry representatives

Manage work of Clean Energy Organizer

Serve on management team of TVA effort.

Other responsibilities as assigned by Clean Energy Sr. Program Manager.

Requirements

Five years of program or campaign management.

Track record of successful team or campaign management.

Excellent communication/public speaking skills.

Ability to grasp, synthesize and translate technical concepts for a lay audience

Familiarity with issues relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy a plus.

Additional Skills and Knowledge

A demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of environmental and social justice issues.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at once in a self-directed manner, ability to work collaboratively as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team, ability to work in coordination with a diverse group of coalition partners, and ability to work effectively in a changing environment.

A strong work ethic and good time-management skills.

The ability to communicate in different styles, depending on the forum, product and audience.

A strategic mindset that grasps opportunities in both short-term and long-term contexts and a desire to have a major impact on policy debates through hard-hitting advocacy.

Passion for managing and empowering teams

Proven ability to grasp, synthesize and communicate complex issue to expert and lay audiences

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to inspire trust and respect among colleagues and external partners.

Excellent decision-making skills, time management, networking skills, demonstrated initiative, flexibility and creativity.

Must be based in or prepared to move to Memphis.

Friends of the Earth offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits.

To apply:

E-mail cover letter, resume, short writing sample and salary history to jobs@foe.org with the subject heading “Clean Energy Program Manager.” No mail applications or phone calls. Position will remain open until filled.

Posted December 14, 2017