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Insightful Blogging from the Clean Energy Resource Teams Community

Looking for a green job in Minnesota? Check out these five current postings!

 
Image source Susty.com There have been quite a few postings lately for green jobs in the areas of energy efficiency and clean energy, so we wanted to make sure that you heard about them and spread the word to folks you know who are looking for work!

CERTs Coordinator for Northwest, MN: Do you lecture your family about turning off the lights? Would you consider a visit to a wind turbine a good use of vacation time? Do you like to talk with others about clean energy? We have a job for you! The Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team seeks temporary appointment of a Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator. The Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator will be instrumental in advancing the NW CERT’s mission to advance clean energy in the region by working with various organizations and individuals across the region and connecting them with the resources they need to identify and implement local energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The ideal candidate for this position will be someone with knowledge of clean energy practices, models and technologies and someone who likes to, and is good at, working with people. Send resume to Lissa Pawlisch, University of MN, 411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Cir, St. Paul, MN 55105 or to PAWL0048@umn.edu by June 15th. See the job posting for further details!

CERTs Case Study Researcher Internship Opportunity, Summer 2010: CERTs is looking for a skilled writer who is interested in researching and authoring case studies on energy efficiency and clean energy projects! This will be a great chance to build on your portfolio of written work and meet people in the industry. CERTs supports community-based clean energy projects across the state with seed grants. Once the project is completed, the grantee submits a final report telling how the project was implemented. The final step is to create a case study to describe community models, technologies and lessons learned about projects CERTs has helped fund. These case studies are typically one to two pages long and are a helpful resource to communities who want to do similar projects. Interns will be given a byline (credit) for the case study they write (if they wish) and hopefully gain valuable insight into the variety of clean energy projects springing up across the state. Please submit a cover letter and your resume to Michelle Vigen at vigen010@umn.edu by Wednesday, June 9th at noon. See the job posting for further details!

Center for Energy and Environment Project Assistant: We are looking for an exceptional and hard working individual to provide assistance in implementing our residential programs. Specific tasks assigned to this individual would vary according to their capabilities, but would cut across many aspects of our programs. It would be an ideal above-entry level position for someone to gain some great hands-on experience in implementing some of CEE’s wonderful programs, and work with some of the leading practitioners in the energy efficiency field. Potential applicants should send applications directly to the email listed on the job announcement. Applications might not be accepted after June 4th—be sure to check with CEE. See the job posting for further details!

Center for Energy and Environment Policy Associate: We are looking for an individual with a little more experience, and with exceptional and proven analytical and persuasive skills to help implement CEE’s policy agenda. Again, specific tasks would vary depending on the individual’s experience, but would include monitoring and advocating in regulatory and legislative arenas. Some amount of program development would also be involved with this position. Potential applicants should send applications directly to the email listed on the job announcement. Applications might not be accepted after June 4th—be sure to check with CEE. See the job posting for further details!

Neighborhood Energy Connection Finance and Human Resources Manager: The Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC), a 25-year-old nonprofit environmental organization, seeks a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial-minded, and highly-motivated individual to manage its finances. The NEC is a regional leader in the field of energy efficiency. With an expanding car sharing program and a long history in residential energy efficiency programs, the NEC is at the forefront of developing new tools for the burgeoning green economy. The Finance and Human Resources Manager is a qualified accountant responsible for managing the organization’s finances and benefits programs. Applications will be accepted through June 11, 2010. See the job posting for further details!

Other places to look: Minnesota-specific job boards that you should check include PCA’s NextStep and SEEK Job Listings, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Jobs List, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Job Board. Other popular job search engines with energy listings include careerbuilder.com, idealist.org, indeed.com, job.com, monster.com, yahoo.com, and nationjob.com.

Want to work with CERTs to advance energy efficiency & clean energy in NW MN? Apply today!

 
Do you lecture your family about turning off the lights? Would you consider a visit to a wind turbine a good use of vacation time? Do you like to talk with others about clean energy? We have a job for you! The Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team seeks temporary appointment of a Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator.

The Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator will be instrumental in advancing the NW CERT’s mission to advance clean energy in the region by working with various organizations and individuals across the region and connecting them with the resources they need to identify and implement local energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The ideal candidate for this position will be someone with knowledge of clean energy practices, models and technologies and someone who likes to, and is good at, working with people.

CERTs Website Now Available for Mobile Phones

 
CERTs on your mobile phone More and more of you have been visiting the CERTs site on your mobile phones, and we now have content just for you! You can take CERTs with you on the go with our mobile content.

Take out your phone and save m.mncerts.org into your mobile browser’s bookmarks!

Best Mobile Content:
Get Answers Blog
Case Studies
Press & Media Updates
Learn, Connect or Act
Contacts

Mobile Social Media:
Videos
Pictures
Twitter
Facebook

Let us know about your experience and how we can make CERTs mobile better. Email Dan Thiede at webmaster@cleanenergyresourceteams.org with any feedback.

Thanks to MoFuse.com for providing mobile content for the CERTs blog, press and case studies.

CERTs blog, press & case studies powered by MoFuse

Save the Date for the CERTs 2011 Conference!

 
February 2-3, 2011
Saint Cloud Civic Center
10 4th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301

Join CERTs and hundreds of other Minnesotans for our fourth biennial conference! CERTs connects you and your community members with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency & renewable energy projects. The conference website will continue to grow as the event approaches at 2011.MNCERTs.org.

CERTs 2011 will be a great place for your organization to be seen!
CERTs 2011 sponsor and exhibitor info will be available soon! We anticipate that our rates will be similar to last year, so download the 2009 Sponsor & Exhibitor Packet so that you can plan CERTs 2011 into your budget now. Sign up to stay in the loop at Updates.MNCERTs.org.

Nominate a CERTs 2011 Planning Committee Member Today!
CERTs is working to put together a Planning Committee for next year’s conference, and we need your help. Tell us about an energy geek or sparkplug in your community who would be an outstanding addition to our team! And don’t be afraid to nominate yourself! Email the person’s name, title, organization, email and phone, along with why you think they would make a great Planning Committee member to Maggie Kozak at makozak@umn.edu.

  • What makes a good Planning Committee member?
    • Expertise or interest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, or community development
    • Can attend eight conference calls from May to December and work a little in between
    • Connected to the community in a significant way
    • Enthusiastic about working collaboratively as part of a group
    • Interest and experience planning events
    • Understands CERTs’ audience
    • Plans to attend CERTs 2011 on February 2-3, 2011
  • What will the Planning Committee members do?
    • Help set goals and key themes for CERTs 2011
    • Identify and recruit event sponsors and exhibitors
    • Outline overall agenda sessions, keynote speakers, and more
    • Plan individual sessions in their area of expertise or interest
    • Spread the word about the conference in their circles of influence
    • Attend CERTs 2011 and enjoy the fruits of their labor!
    • Get recognized for your leadership by people across the state!

Learn more about the CERTs 2011 and past events at 2011.MNCERTs.org.

Rochester Area Think Green Fair Invites Exhibitors

The Rochester Area 2010 Think Green Fair will take place from 10am-9pm on June 26th, 2010 at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds, Graham Park. Join us for this full full day celebration of green living and sustainability in southern Minnesota!

What is Thinking Green? Thinking green means learning to live in a way that will reduce your impact on the environment, improve your quality of life, and save you money. Thinking Green is about coming together with neighborhoods, communities, organizations, and businesses to ensure that the choices we make today will not compromise the quality of life for future generations.

The fair will include a green expo, workshops, speakers, musical entertainment, local food, artisans and children’s activities providing you the opportunity to think green in all aspects of your life.

The goal of the fair is to educate attendees in the areas of:

  • Efficiency/Renewable energy
  • Conservation/Protection of water and/or air
  • Earth friendly home and garden products
  • Waste reduction
  • Durable/Reusable products
  • Natural or locally produced foods (free-range, pesticide-free)
  • Green certification (USDA Organic, Energy Star, Fair Trade, LEED, other)
  • Health and Wellness
  • Promotion of environmental values

If your environmental business or organization would like to be a vendor or sponsor, visit www.rneighbors.org/thinkgreen.

SMIF Renewable Energy Grant Seeks Communities to Boost Economic Growth

 
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking up to three communities who want to learn how to capitalize on the assets of renewable energy to increase their local economies. As part of the grant, SMIF will provide up to $15,000 for community projects along with training and coaching.

SMIF’s grant uses an asset-affirming approach, called the Community Growth Initiative, which puts a strong spotlight on collaboration, local assets, and creativity that generates long-term change.

“Through our Community Growth Initiative, we encourage communities and organizations to draw on their own assets to create change rather than looking to ‘outside xperts’ for answers and assistance,” states Tim Penny, SMIF President & CEO.

Many communities in southern Minnesota are hoping to develop alternative energy sources and the jobs that go along with them. Several communities hosted wind energy forums during the past year in an effort to leverage local opportunities. This new grant partnership will capitalize on that interest and assist communities in growing economic partnerships related to renewable energy of all kinds.

Currently 25 communities within southern Minnesota are partners in this process. These communities are identifying and achieving goals,learning about and leveraging their assets, developing volunteer leaders, and increasing citizen involvement.

Interested communities should send a completed “Renewable Energy Entrepreneurism-Community Growth Initiative” application by February 19, 2010 to Elise Davis at 507-455-3215.

Application and guideline information is available at http://www.smifoundation.org.

CERTs Announces 2010 Seed Grant Recipients Across State

 
Shutterstock As we kick off 2010, we are excited to announce the projects awarded CERTs seed grants in each of the seven Minnesota CERTs regions. These catalyzing grants of up to $11,000 will help projects garner further funding and bring communities together in identifying and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Read on for all of the details!

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application. If you want to learn more about past projects, are interested in our proposal process, or want to prepare for future funding, visit our Request for Proposals page.

Jump to Region: Central | Metro | Northeast | Northwest | Southeast | Southwest | West Central

Join CERTs as a Coordinator in Northwest Minnesota!

 
Image source: stock.xchng NW CERT is hiring a coordinator to help staff their region of Minnesota. The Coordinator will be instrumental in working with various organizations and individuals to move community-scale projects forward within the region by connecting people with the technical resources they need to identify and implement local energy efficiency and clean energy projects.

The ideal candidate for this position will be someone with knowledge of clean energy practices, models and technologies and someone who is good at working with people. Travel is required to perform the responsibilities of this position; a personal vehicle is required, with reimbursement of travel to be made according to State policies.

Applications are due on January 20, 2009 at 4:30pm. An official release, as well as position general responsibilities, qualifications and additional information can be accessed at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/about/press/01/10/northwest-clea....

Two Great Clean Energy Job Opportunities

 
Global Warming Solutions Coordinator, Fresh Energy: Work with Fresh Energy’s innovative and aggressive Global Warming Solutions program. The program aims to advance global warming policy solutions by promoting smart state and national legislation to reduce global warming pollution, catalyzing innovative approaches to business and local government, and making the case to businesses, government, and citizens that global warming must be confronted now. The Coordinator will work with the Science Policy Director on specific outreach and analytical projects, and will have writing and public outreach responsibilities. The position includes extensive contact with collaborators and community members. Some travel and attending occasional weekend and evening meetings may be required.
Applications accepted until position is filled   |   Click to learn more and apply >>

Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, Ramsey County: This is a one-year position that is funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) provided to Ramsey County by the Federal Government out of ARRA funds. It is possible that this position could continue beyond one year. The person in this position will work with Public Health and Property Management staff to help plan, organize, guide and coordinate the County’s efforts to create an internal County energy/sustainability plan, with an aim to implement sustainable and energy-related practices within the organization, including addressing current methods and practices that could be made more sustainable, researching new and emerging technology and sustainability practices, educating the organization regarding sustainable practices and developing and implementing sustainability goals and strategies. This is professional and administrative work to identify, develop, implement and coordinate innovative and effective programs to improve sustainability and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from County operations, and related duties as assigned.
Applications accepted until Friday, December 4th, 11:59pm   |   Click to learn more and apply >>

CERTs October Monthly Update Now Available

 
Hello CERT members and friends! Please check out our October 2009 Monthly Update for clean energy news and announcements from across Minnesota! Included in this update: