Founded during the 2001 California energy crisis, GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment, and training. GRID Alternatives provides these services exclusively to low-income households earning less than 80% of area median income, including families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Our main program, the Solar Affordable Housing Program, installs solar electric systems for low-income families with the help of volunteers, job trainees, and the homeowners themselves.

 

GRID Alternatives is in the process of replicating our program throughout CA through an affiliate model. We currently have a Bay Area office located in Oakland and a Greater Los Angeles office located in Carson. We are looking for a full time Regional Director to manage our Bay Area programs, staff, and operations. Initially, the Regional Director will report to GRID Alternatives’ co-Founders and will be part of a transition period during which key Bay Area staff will transition to a National Headquarters and the Bay Area office will become the GRID Alternatives Bay Area Affiliate. Once the Bay Area Affiliate has obtained its own legal status as an affiliate, the Regional Director will become its Executive Director.

 

Job Duties

This is an exciting position for someone interested in joining a high growth non-profit at a critical point in its growth. The right Regional Director for this position will be a dynamic leader capable of running and growing the Bay Area affiliate, but patient and flexible enough to work with GRID Alternatives’ co-Founders during the transition period including navigating and assuming existing relationships the co-Founders have with a diverse staff and board of directors. Due to the start-up nature of GRID Alternatives, the Regional Director should be prepared to participate in the creation of best practices and the establishment of organizational systems.

 

The specific job duties for which this position was created include:

• Oversee $1M+ annual operating budget

• Coordinate + 100 solar electric system installations per year on the homes of low-income families.

• Manage diverse staff (currently 12) and recruit additional staff as needed.

• Maintain organizational culture that empowers all staff to participate in the strategic vision and to always strive to improve GRID Alternatives impact and processes.

• Oversee and be directly involved in fundraising efforts (private foundations, corporate sponsors, local governments, and individual donors) including grant writing, donor cultivation, etc.

• Work directly with GRID Alternatives’ Board of Directors and help establish a separate Board of Directors for the Bay Area Affiliate.

• Establish infrastructure for transition of office to affiliate status.

• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with affordable housing developers, job training programs, local government housing departments, etc.

• Work with and report to GRID Alternatives’ co-Founders.

• Participate in budgeting and fiscal oversight during transition period and oversee the Bay Area Affiliates’ finances once it has obtained affiliate status.

• Continue to build GRID Alternatives’ presence in the greater Bay Area and promote a positive public image for GRID Alternatives (including networking and speaking presentations).

• Oversee aspects of program implementation including client outreach and education, project management, volunteer recruitment, and construction.

• Be willing to tackle other tasks that are not in the job description as needed.

 

Necessary skills and qualifications

• Passion for sustainability, affordable housing, the environment, or environmental justice

• Previous management experience (preferably in the non-profit sector)

• Ability to problem solve and learn new skills

• Leadership/management skills

• Effective public speaker

• Articulate writer

• Fundraising ability

• Comfortable working and communicating with diverse populations

• Able to work independently while at the same time able to work collaboratively with GRID Alternatives Bay Area staff.

 

Recommended skills and qualifications

• Strong ties or roots in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Knowledge of solar energy

 

Office Location

Located in Oakland within walking distance of BART.

 

Compensation

$72,000 annually + medical, dental, vacation, and 403b retirement plan

 

Start Date Immediately

 

To Apply Email resume and cover letter to jobs@gridalternatives.org. Please include "Bay Area Regional Director" in the subject heading.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer – People of color are encouraged to apply.