Renewable energy jobs at RETI Center

RETI Center has a strong track record of community-driven projects that prioritize local engagement and sustainability. Their inaugural project involved a solar panel installation training program for unemployed youth from Red Hook Houses, which was funded by a grant from the New York Governor's Office of Storm Recovery and completed in the summer prior to 2021 (source: star-revue.com). Currently, they are developing the BlueCity floating industrial district at Gowanus Bay Terminal, which aims to create an off-grid hub featuring solar power, mussel farming, and urban farming, alongside job training initiatives (source: star-revue.com). The kelp garden barge, operational since 2020, supports water quality testing and has recently secured funding to expand its growth significantly following a successful harvest in April 2023 (source: citylore.org). RETI Center is also in the feasibility stages of establishing community solar sites across NYC rooftops, with information sessions held during Climate Week 2023 to promote rooftop leasing and tax incentives (source: reticenter.org).

In the past two years, RETI Center has made significant strides in expanding its initiatives and community engagement. They announced funding to quadruple kelp growth after a successful harvest in April 2023, which involved harvesting 300 feet of sugar kelp across ten floating gardens (source: citylore.org). The organization has also continued its work on the BlueCity project, which includes the development of a climate-research vessel equipped with solar technology and floating gardens (source: pratt.edu). RETI Center hosted community solar information sessions in September 2023, collaborating with the NYC 2030 District to promote their initiatives and engage local stakeholders (source: reticenter.org). While no major acquisitions or mergers have been reported, the organization continues to rely on grants and partnerships to support its mission and expand its impact within the community (source: citylore.org).

RETI Center offers a variety of roles and opportunities focused on training programs, internships, and green jobs primarily in solar installation, construction, research, and community engagement (source: reticenter.org). Their Roof RETI program provides free solar PV training, including OSHA/GPRO certifications and business skills, along with paid internships aimed at underserved populations, particularly youth from Red Hook (source: reticenter.org). The organization emphasizes a culture of hands-on, collaborative learning that fosters social justice, involving over 750 volunteers and local residents in building projects like BlueCity (source: reticenter.org). While specific benefits packages are not publicly documented, the programs offer free training and stipends through internships, creating pathways into the resilience economy for individuals without prior experience (source: pratt.edu). Interested candidates can check the RETI Center website for current openings in solar training cohorts or volunteer positions (source: reticenter.org).