Energy Efficiency Fellow

If you’re passionate about energy efficiency and conservation then this may be an opportunity for you!

About CSU Channel Islands Facilities Services

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County’s only public university and opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the CSU system serving the regions of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties, as well as the entire state. CSUCI is located between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and 25 miles north of Malibu.

The campus is nestled against the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean. With more than 5,600 students, 24,500 alumni, and 1,000 employees, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education with more than 90 academic degrees, teaching credentials, certificates, and professional and community programs. The university maintains a focus on sustainability and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. In recent years, the campus has adopted its inaugural Climate Action Plan, outlining goals to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. In alignment with this plan, CSUCI is investing heavily in energy efficiency throughout the next few years, including several lighting projects, control upgrades, and other energy efficiency measures.

Position Overview & Description

The Energy Efficiency Fellow at CSUCI will provide the campus support in three main areas:

Green Revolving Fund Promotion and Management: CSUCI recently started an internal Green Revolving Fund (GRF) to invest in utility efficiency and decarbonization projects that demonstrate a five-year simple payback. The GRF provides an opportunity for any campus students or employees to propose water and energy efficiency projects that will benefit the campus. This position will lead the promotion and management of the GRF, producing and disseminating promotional materials, exploring other funding opportunities and incentives, identifying eligible projects, and assisting with tracking and management of GRF-funded projects. 

Energy Efficiency Projects: The university is in the process of implementing a suite of energy efficiency projects, including campus lighting retrofits, building controls upgrades, HVAC replacements, and evaluating decarbonization measures, such as onsite generation and storage, the reduction of fossil fuel-powered systems, as well as electrifying the campus’s fleet vehicles. This position will develop energy modeling to forecast and track energy efficiency improvements and will provide support to the project managers overseeing these projects to ensure timely implementation of projects and to help collect energy data and estimate resource savings. This role is integral to achieving the university's sustainability targets by ensuring projects are aligned with energy conservation goals.

Energy Efficiency Program Implementation: In addition to the suite of funded lighting and energy projects mentioned above, the campus is also participating in a utility incentive program to identify energy efficiency measures. This position will support the university’s participation in the program and assist with coordinating the implementation of energy efficiency measures. This position may also design and deliver presentations, workshops, signage, and other educational materials to increase awareness and understanding of energy efficiency for campus leadership, employees, and students.

Through these activities, this position will provide the opportunity to practice and learn skills related to campus stakeholder engagement, project management, communication, collaboration, funding strategies, and energy efficiency. 

Responsibilities

• Develop presentations or reports
• Produce, track, manage, analyze, and communicate data
• Engage internal and external clients and stakeholders
• Design, implement, evaluate, and improve initiatives
• Assist with project planning, implementation, and documentation necessary to successfully leverage available incentives

Desired Qualifications

• Project management experience
• Marketing and outreach experience – designing and disseminating outreach material and effectively communicating about programs, projects, or policies
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel with the ability to create pivot tables.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Coursework in engineering, energy systems, or similar experience is preferred.
• Experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy, data analysis, program administration, project management, or related fields.
• Ability to work in teams as well as independently, carrying out assignments, making independent judgments and/or decisions, and discerning when deferring action to a higher level is required.
• Must be able to effectively manage multiple projects and maintain an organized and well-communicated workflow.
• Graphic design skills (e.g., Canva) preferred

We encourage anyone who is interested in this position and who meets some of the qualifications to apply, even if they do not meet all of them. We recognize that a unique perspective and background can enhance a role when many, if not all, of the listed qualifications are met.

**If you would need to relocate for this position, please note that you need to be in the state you are relocating to no less than 10 business days before the start of the fellowship.**

Benefits

• End-of-program financial award.
• Healthcare coverage with 100% of healthcare insurance premiums covered by the employer.
• Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services. 
• Professional and Personal Development Training
• ​Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
• Attending panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals. 
• Industry-specific certification courses.
• Professional networking opportunities. 

About Climate Corps

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship program that provides professional development opportunities for emerging leaders through the implementation of sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To see a full list of climate, energy, and sustainability positions posted by Climate Corps, please visit here: https://jobs.climatecorps.org/listings. We are constantly adding positions, so make sure to frequently check this site to see if there are new opportunities available.

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html