Senior Community Development Officer – Clean Energy

Are you enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the field of climate change, clean energy technologies and energy transitions? Are you interested in supporting Maine’s island, coastal and rural communities to better understand and address their unique energy challenges and opportunities?

Island Institute has an exciting career opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team as Senior Community Development Officer – Clean Energy. This position brings substantial expertise, networks, and experience to deliver on the Institute’s strategic priorities related to supporting clean energy transitions, with a focus on rural/remote communities.  This role helps develop and implement annual workplans related to clean energy strategies, including grant-specific deliverables.

Headquartered in Rockland, Maine, Island Institute is a leading community development organization dedicated to navigating climate and economic changes with Maine’s island and coastal communities, expanding opportunities, and delivering effective solutions. Our culture thrives on innovation, collaboration, and creativity, driven by a vision where Maine’s island and coastal communities thrive in a rapidly changing world, serving as models of innovation. We are steadfast in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, applying these principles to strengthen both our organization and the communities we serve.

The Senior Community Development Officer – Clean Energy leads Island Institute’s Clean Energy team, providing direct supervision to team members. The team works to build energy resilience, in partnership with communities through community-based, nationally leading models for supporting clean energy transitions. The team supports communities in understanding and connecting with technical experts in microgrids, storage, solar, energy efficiency, and other areas.

The Senior Community Development Officer – Clean Energy will have professional experience that aligns strongly with Island Institute’s mission, goals, and programs; an advanced degree with at least 5 years of experience or an undergraduate degree with 10 years of experience in the clean energy (or related) field. We are seeking someone with demonstrated content knowledge and experience working in the field of energy technologies and energy transitions, and in developing strategies work. A successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, both orally and in writing.

Review of applications will begin immediately and posting will close when the position is filled.

We offer in exchange:

• A benefits program to include health, dental, vision, and company provided life insurance & LTD.
• A 403b plan with an employer match of up to 6% after a year of service.
• A generous paid time off policy.
• 12 paid holidays and 2 paid floating holidays.
• Island Institute membership benefits.
• Discount at Island Institute’s Archipelago retail store.
• Hybrid work environment.

Recognizing that no candidate will possess all the relevant skills and experience, we encourage you to apply if you align with many of the qualifications for and interests in this role.  We offer a competitive salary, starting at $71,276 with a range that depends on experience and skills related to position responsibilities and qualifications.

Below is a more detailed listing of job qualifications and job functions:

Qualifications:

• At least five years’ experience working directly or indirectly with public, nonprofit, and private-sector enterprises, with proven success in the areas of project management, community engagement, and translation of complex information to various audiences.
• Demonstrated experience interacting with community stakeholders, technical experts, regulators, state and federal agency staff, and electric companies.
• Proven success in understanding island and rural communities, community driven process, and how change happens locally.
• Demonstrated success leading a team of community development professionals, including direct supervision of employees.
• An advanced degree with at least 5 years of experience in the clean energy or related fields or an undergraduate degree with 10 years of experience in the clean energy or related fields.
• Content knowledge and experience with sustainable energy initiatives in rural communities.
• Experience working in the field of energy technologies and energy transitions, and in developing strategies for organizations engaged in this work.
• Professional interests that align strongly with the goals of Island Institute
• Exceptional written communication skills; able to effectively convey the organization’s mission, priorities, and projects to diverse audiences in a variety of formats.
• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills; able to speak about the organization’s work in an articulate, professional, and compelling manner (one-on-one and with groups).
• The ability to listen in communities and in partnerships to inform, develop, and implement responsive energy programming.
• Experience approaching challenges and problems with creative thinking, problem solving and innovation.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail in planning and overseeing project work.
• Experience in running and facilitating effective meetings that meet clearly identified objectives.
• The ability to give and receive constructive and helpful feedback with staff colleagues and community partners.
• Interest in shaping experiences for community members that inspire them to act and solve problems.
• Proven ability to sustain project work in and with communities and motivate colleagues in teamwork.
• Deep knowledge of project budget planning and management.
• Comfort with technology, including information technology systems, such as Office 365 applications.
• The ability and willingness to travel, particularly to DownEast Maine.

Essential Functions:  

• In partnership with the Center Director and clean energy team, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for Island Institute’s work on community energy transitions.
• Manage large federal contracts and budgets, create annual workplans and associated budgets.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with funders, including foundations and individuals, as assigned.
• Seek and participate in professional development opportunities to build cross-sector and essential skills.
• Share project updates and related blog entries, columns, and other written materials for distribution to increase members’ understanding of our clean energy work.
• Promote the Institute’s work by representing the organization before external audiences as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.

• Physical demands: the employee is required to sit, enter data using computer keyboard and mouse, stand, walk, bend over occasionally, and move about the office space as well as between building floors. There is no requirement to lift and/or move weights of more than 15 pounds.
• The employee will be expected to travel on occasion by boat and ferry to various island and remote coastal locations.
• There will be times when working long hours in the evenings and weekends will be required.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Island Institute is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Island Institute will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Susan Haversat at shaversat@islandinstitute.org.

Island Institute is a nonprofit organization, and an equal opportunity “at-will” employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities based upon an individual’s ability and qualifications. We do not discriminate against people based on race, citizenship, ancestry, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, mental or physical disability. For more information about the Island Institute, please visit www.islandinstitute.org.