Veterans Green-Jobs Alliance

Program Director

The Veterans Green-Jobs Alliance (VGA) is a newly founded non-profit currently securing its 501c3 status.  The VGA creates pathways for military veterans to become leaders in sustainable technology and environmental restoration.  We also work closely with a number of national environmental and social justice groups to fulfill the promise of the 2007 Green Jobs Act to build a green economy strong enough to lift communities out of poverty, including military veterans (see description below).

We are looking for an experienced community organizer or non-profit administrator to assist in launching this initiative and carrying the organization through the next level of fundraising and capacity-building.  For the right entrepreneur, this could be a substantial career opportunity to move into non-profit building and assuming a leadership position as well as participating in the enormous national movement towards a green economy. 

The mission of the VGA is to provide opportunities for military veterans to access training and education that will enable them to become leaders in the rapidly growing field of “green” professions.  Some of these fields include:

• Renewable energy—wind, solar, biomass, geothermal
• Green building and renovation
• Energy efficiency and energy conservation
• Sustainable Forestry
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Land Restoration and Conservation

The strategy of the VGA is to provide a variety of points of entry for returning veterans to access the training, education and connections they need to pursue these opportunities.  The four primary pathways VGA is developing include:

• Veterans restoration corps—outdoor, hands-on land restoration work
• Green-collar college degree programs—community college and four year college training and degree programs.
• Residential job training and health facilities—On-site residential programs for Veterans who would otherwise have difficulties with conventional college-based programs.
• A national green-collar jobs clearinghouse—VGA is working with some of the nations leading green-jobs businesses.  Through the jobs clearinghouse, VGA will assist Veterans in connecting with potential employers.

Programs are currently forming in the Front Range and San Luis Valley of Colorado and the Albuquerque region of New Mexico. 

The ideal candidate for this position will:

• Be located in Colorado/New Mexico and have established community networks in this region
• Have a strong background (2+ years) in community organizing and/or non-profit administration
• Be willing to commit to a one-year contract
• Have excellent communication skills
• Have proficient computer, internet, and Microsoft Office skills
• Be reliable, creative, self-motivated, and able to work independently
• Demonstrate a strong background (2+ years) in development or non-profit fundraising
• Have an understanding of and commitment to sustainable technology and/or environmental restoration as a pathway to a new economy
• Be a military veteran or have military experience

Responsibilities include:

• Establish and cultivate community networks that will support the growth of VGA programs
• Be the public face of the organization
• Write grant proposals and other fundraising
• Coordinate travel and meetings as needed
• Keep basic accounting of VGA expenditures
• Assist in green jobs legislation development

Please email a resume and cover letter to Amelia Charles, Assc. Director: amelia@veteransgreenjobs.org

Find us on the web at www.veteransgreenjobs.org