Strategic Initiatives Associate

MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in our communities since 2010. We provide more renewable power at stable rates, and deliver cutting-edge energy programs to residents and businesses across four Bay Area counties: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano. Our team, drawn from all walks of life, embodies a shared passion for environmental stewardship and community service. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals innovating and collaborating to make our communities more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable.

We value a range of experience. Even if you feel that you do not meet all of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About Strategic Initiatives

Strategic Initiatives is reimagining how we power the world. By tackling novel technology and strategy, the team fosters innovative, out-of-the-box strategies to move us collectively toward a clean energy economy while catalyzing equitable economic and community benefits.

As a Strategic Initiatives Associate

You will be responsible for advancing MCE’s mission and strategy to maximize positive community impacts that result from MCE’s work. You will support project management, research, grant writing and management, fostering and managing community relationships, and cross-departmental coordination with a high degree of community focus, knowledge of environmental justice, attention to detail, and time management skills.

You will build strong relationships to help ensure that grant applications are completed, workforce and Supplier Diversity efforts are captured and reported on, and research on the incubation of new initiatives are supported.

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position may supervise interns/fellows.

Key Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)

Pursuing External Funding

• Support in the identifying, tracking, and writing of grants for local, state and federal funding opportunities to advance MCE’s projects.
• Work cross-departmentally to ensure deadlines are met.
• Draft, edit, and submit grant proposals and other documents as needed.

Cultivating Relationships

• Coordinate strategic partnerships within MCE as well as with staff of public agencies, community organizations, contractors, and business leaders to develop and sustain cooperative and diverse working relationships.
• Coordinate cross-departmentally to create innovative initiatives.

Workforce Initiatives

• Support equitable workforce development strategies to promote inclusive business opportunities resulting from MCE’s operations.
• Coordinate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives with a focus on supporting MCE communities, including but not limited to MCE’s annual Certify & Amplify event and Supplier Diversity Report.

Other

• Coordinate and recommend new MCE initiatives to support the equitable expansion of clean, renewable energy, advance social and environmental justice, decrease pollution, and reduce environmental impacts.
• Coordinate information collection and reporting or analysis related to initiatives.
• Support with other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Skills

• Working with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person, online, and over the telephone.
• Strong writing and oral communication/public speaking.
• Experience in grant writing and project management.
• California residence with a strong preference for a candidate residing within commutable distance of MCE offices. MCE offices are located in San Rafael, and Concord CA.

Education/Experience

• Any combination of education and experience equal to an Associate degree in Business, Project Management, Communications, Engineering, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Anthropology or a related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in coalition building, social responsibility, community/economic development, community organizing, and/or closely related field, particularly in a public agency or non-profit.
• A Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or other closely related project management certification is desired.

Knowledge of

• Best practices and trends in equity, environmental justice, diversity and inclusion, equitable economic empowerment, collective impact, corporate social responsibility, and/or community benefits.
• Modern office procedures and methods including automation and computer applications and software related to the work.

Ability to

• Foster commitment and trust with a variety of stakeholders.
• Operate independently while tracking progress toward objectives.
• Pursue an open-minded exploration of ways to create opportunities for MCE to cultivate and catalyze community benefits.
• Model flexibility and creativity in responding to changes.
• Prioritize, consider alternatives, and respond quickly and effectively to unexpected and rapidly changing conditions.
• Demonstrate strong critical thinking, time-management, and problem-solving skills.

Language and Reasoning Skills

• Exercise sound judgment, creative problem solving, and commercial awareness.
• Interact professionally and effectively with customers, commercial partners, MCE staff team and Board of Directors.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Manage projects and time efficiently.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation package offered, based on candidate experience along with generous benefits and perks, including fully paid premiums for health insurance, parental leave, dependent care subsidies, student loan repayment, and employee wellness program.

Starting Salary Range: $80,659 - $100,083

Application Process

As a part of the application process for the Strategic Initiatives Associate recruitment, all candidates must submit the following:

• Cover letter (maximum one page) describing why you are the best candidate for Strategic Initiatives Associate. If applicable, please note your key professional connections and influencers, and how these relationships could contribute to your success in this role.
• Resume and
• Answers to all the applicable questions within the application.

As we narrow to our top pool of applicants, candidates moving through the recruitment process may participate in an initial all in one audio/phone interview, Face to Face Cross-team Panel Interview, Interview with External Energy Consultants, Face to Face Executive Interview.

Work Environment

MCE offices support an environment that is accessible to those with reduced mobility. We are happy to provide more details if asked.

MCE makes reasonable accommodations of any known physical or intellectual limitations for qualified applicants with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, and other conditions protected by applicable law.

MCE strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace. To that end, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment for all employees.

MCE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.