Program Associate, Fighting Coal Program – San Francisco, CA
Organization: The Energy Foundation
Position Title: Program Associate
Location: San Francisco, CA
Hours & Compensation: Full-time. $50,000 – $55,000.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2013.
Posted On: March 7, 2013.
Organization Overview:
The Energy Foundation (EF) is a private grant-making foundation whose mission is to assist in the global transition to a sustainable energy future by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Foundation offers a dynamic, positive work environment with approximately 45 staff in the San Francisco office and 30 staff in the Beijing office. This position is based at the Foundation’s headquarters in San Francisco.
The Energy Foundation’s Coal Program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from conventional coal-fired power plants. U.S. coal-fired plants are responsible for nearly 30 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of hazardous air and water pollution. To decrease reliance on coal-fired power, we promote stronger federal and state pollution controls, community organizing and legal action to force retirement of dirty and uneconomic coal plants, improved utility resource planning, and policies that expand markets for energy efficiency and clean forms of power generation. We also support strong regulation of emissions from alternatives to coal generation, such as natural gas. The program is housed in the U.S. Power Sector Team, and we work collaboratively with the U.S. Renewables and Utility Energy Efficiency Teams.
Description:
The Program Associate’s (PA) primary responsibility is to support the work of the Coal Program Director (PD) on the execution of grants, as well as providing administrative support. The PA will assist with tracking the program budget, reviewing grant proposals, writing reports, monitoring the grant cycle, and communicating with grantees, and other funders. While the PA typically works within one program sector, collaboration and coordination across sectors is required.
Responsibilities:
Processing & Tracking Grants:
- Review grant proposals and ensure content is appropriate and all necessary documents are included;
- Write briefs of grant proposals and submit for approval;
- Process and track incoming grant proposals and grant reports into the grants management software;
- Monitor spending and deadlines for contracts (known as Foundation Initiated Projects, or FIPs);
- Monitor budget targets, reconcile program budgets with accounting team and keep PD informed of budget status;
- Write evaluation report of closed grants and compile and submit final grant reports and evaluations for approval;
- Create consulting contracts as requested, enter into software for approval;
- Coordinate joint grants, shared consulting contracts and other contracts as needed
- Recommend grants for consideration;
- Write ‘decline’ letters for rejected proposals;
Interacting with Grantees
- Assign work to consultants, follow up on the work through regular contact;
- Collaborate with grantees and consultants on proposal revisions, as needed;
- Coordinate and assist grantees and consultants with EF’s grant making process by requesting additional information when needed, responding to questions, notifying them of the status of their grant, etc.;
- Represent EF by participating in meetings with grantees and consultants as requested;
Administrative Duties
- Organize program conferences and meetings;
- Schedule calls and meetings and manage PD calendar and travel as requested;
- Keep track of upcoming deadlines, outstanding request and remind PD of priorities;
External Communication
- Draft or edit reports and proposals for funders, including the core funder report;
- Write board docket reports and prepare program docket tables;
- Draft news updates for partners and board, as requested;
- Support the PD in communications with other foundations,
- Proofread and suggest edits to written materials generated by peers, as requested;
Strategy & Research
- Stay current on latest sector news and information through contact with grantees/other experts and by reading reports, press releases, articles, etc.;
- Research specific topics and prepare reports and visual aids, as requested;
- Present sector updates during program and staff meetings;
Build the Energy Foundation Team
- Generate and implement ideas for program and office improvement;
- Maintain a good sense of humor and positive attitude;
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, plus two years work experience in the fields of energy, climate, environmental studies, or public policy or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Ability to read and analyze professional journals and technical procedures; ability to write reports and business correspondence; ability to effectively respond to questions from grantees and groups of managers
- Experience managing data in spreadsheets, building charts and record keeping
- Strong quantitative skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Well organized and experienced in office functions including filing, calendaring, use of general office equipment
- Strong interpersonal skills that have been demonstrated in a professional setting
- Ability to prioritize and juggle diverse tasks while maintaining attention to the details
- Ability to travel 2-3 times a year for 2-3 business days at a time
- Proven ability to work well under pressure, take initiative, and be a creative problem-solver
How to Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume, subject line “PA Coal Job”, by March 31, 2013 to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Contact Information:
The Energy Foundation, http://www.ef.org
301 Battery Street, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA 94111
