Associate Director - Sustainability & Green Workforce

OVERVIEW

SEI is seeking an Associate Director to support SEI and our green workforce programs, primarily Energize Careers. This is a full-time position based in either Los Angeles, CA, or at our main office in San Rafael, CA. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, include occasional travel and field support, and require flexibility for occasional evening and weekend work. The Associate Director reports to and supports the activities of SEI’s Executive Director and other program directors in addition to assisting with all aspects of our workforce, education, training programs, partnerships, and training of emerging professionals.

IMPACT

In this position, you will play an integral role across our organization, working closely with its leadership and program teams, overseeing and building out over time a crucial component to SEI’s workforce programming within communities. You will be involved in all phases of projects, from design and fundraising to planning, implementation, management, evaluation, and reporting.

Energize Careers aims to create a diverse and representational sustainability workforce through the economic empowerment of people who experience systemic barriers to employment by helping them to access high-wage, high-growth green career opportunities. The Energize Careers Program provides holistic services to support marginalized people through technical training, job placement, and employment support. Energize Careers partners with pre-apprenticeship programs, apprenticeship programs, community-based training organizations, and community colleges to provide technical sustainability training to underserved individuals, and we collaborate with wrap around service providers and industry partners to provide people with services and support to access career pathways into stable, living wage sustainability jobs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Receive a competitive starting salary for this position of $90,000 plus company-paid medical, sick time, vacation time, 14 paid holidays per year, in-house dental/vision/chiropractic plan, Comp time, participation in a 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan (with matching after one year of employment), and a flexible work schedule (telecommuting 2 days/week).

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

We seek candidates that share SEI’s commitment to equity and environmental justice, who share a commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.  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.  

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Center equity & diversity in all work, actively engage with peers and SEI leadership to coordinate across diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
• Mentor project managers and others on broader organizational impacts of staffing and overspends
• Lead new partner and funder outreach; proactively pursue new relationships & opportunities
• Consistently looks across programs and team members to plan for staffing and expenses that support broader sector and organizational interests. Serves as internal budget and financial management resource and mentor to the team. 
• Leads Energize Careers program implementation

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree plus 6 or more years of experience in any of the following fields or any combination: working with/within underprivileged communities; supporting individuals facing significant barriers to employment; providing individuals with onramps to careers (ideally in the green economy).
• Familiarity and experience working with organizations and institutions that support individuals in accessing employment, job training, and wrap-around services.  These can include workforce investment boards, wrap-around service providers, industry networks, community based organizations, apprenticeship programs, etc.
• Workforce development experience - Providing pathways to jobs, planning for and coordinating trainings, securing industry partnerships, and facilitating job pathways.
• Demonstrated mastery in project management & work organization.
• Ability to work under direct supervision, collaboratively in teams/ partners, or independently.
• Evidence of strong verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Experience leading program visioning and goal setting.
• Strong experience with and interest in various information technologies along with competency across the Google and Microsoft suites of office software (e.g.: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Aptitude to quickly learn industry- or project-specific software.
• Access to reliable transportation for work-related commitments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct coaching, mentoring, or engagement of individuals who experience barriers to employment.
• People management (they will be managing the Energize Careers program so they will manage our team on the project).
• Experience and ease developing relationships and skillfully working with colleagues, partners & clients
• Experience raising organizational visibility and developing partnerships to support programmatic and organizational growth.
• Technical expertise in building science, electrification, clean mobility, renewable energy technologies, sustainability, climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green infrastructure.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

SEI requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID with exceptions for health & religious reasons. This position requires applicants to perform the following tasks: Read/comprehend, write, perform calculations, communicate orally, reason and analyze, use fine finger movements, use a computer and mouse, sit, stand, walk, drive a motorized vehicle, carry and/or lift up to 40 pounds, reach above shoulder level, bend, squat, crouch, kneel, push/pull, grasp.

HOW TO APPLY

Email a resume and cover letter describing how your interest, qualifications, and experience are a perfect match for this position, to SEI at jobs432@seiinc.org. Include “Associate Director Green Workforce” and the platform you are applying from in the subject line of your email.  Target start date is as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please. 

ABOUT SEI

SEI is a teams-based, non-profit organization based in San Rafael in the Bay Area, CA, with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Sitka (Alaska), and the greater New York area, dedicated to building leaders to drive sustainability solutions. For over 24 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. Our flagship programs educate and empower students, workers, and emerging professionals to create thriving, resilient communities.