Director, Energy & Climate Programs

~ Rooted in a 47-year history, Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, is a nonprofit organization based in Palo Alto that brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. ~

Acterra’s staff members provide environmental education, specifically in the areas of energy and climate change, and advocacy to build an informed and empowered citizenry. Our programs include Energy and Climate, Business Partnerships for Sustainability, and Environmental Education. Our programs engage families, individuals, and companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. For more information, visit our website.

Position Overview

In collaboration with other management staff, the Director of Energy and Climate Programs is responsible for leadership and overall management of Acterra’s energy education and climate protection programs, including program development, strategic planning, grant writing, partnership development, program implementation, staff supervision and hiring, budgeting and reporting. A major part of the job is to identify contract work in the climate mitigation arena, make the case for Acterra’s capacity and qualifications, and help execute the work. This position reports to Acterra’s Executive Director.

Responsibilities

• Develops programs to educate the general public and businesses in the Bay Area about energy savings and ways to protect Earth’s climate
• Identifies funding opportunities to enable Acterra to carry out education and action programs
• Writes grant proposals to public agencies, private foundations and individuals
• Creates plans for implementing funded activities, including public outreach and education events, volunteer trainings, public service programs, community workshops, email campaigns, strategic planning sessions, and assessment of results
• Writes newsletter articles and website content
• Prepares annual budgets; works with Business Manager to monitor monthly expenditures in relation to budget
• Supervises Energy/Climate program staff and works with Executive Director to recruit new staff
• Prepares reports on program activities for internal use and to grantors and other constituencies
• Participates in internal meetings: management team, all-staff meetings, bi-monthly Board of Directors meetings, and strategic planning meetings
• Engages in public outreach by public speaking and attending community events
• Cultivates relationships with potential program partners and donors
• Supports staff with other projects as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
• 5+ years of work experience, including program management responsibilities
• Passionate about mitigating climate change and addressing environmental problems
• Creative thinker who can synthesize information, envision new approaches and catalyze others to get engaged in innovative programs to protect Earth’s climate
• Familiar with California policies, programs and legislation around climate change, including AB32, cap and trade, Title 24, and Energy Upgrade California
• Experience with climate action planning, either at municipal or institutional level
• Understands role of new energy-saving technologies like heat pumps, electrical storage, cool roofs and electric vehicles
• Analytical in approach to reducing GHG emissions
• Fundraising experience through writing grant proposals and/or donor contact
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Enjoys working with people and meeting the public; excellent human relations skills
• Knowledge of educational techniques, social marketing, and social media
• Strong computer proficiency: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as familiarity with web and cloudbased alternatives (e.g., Google docs)