Community Energy and Environmental Justice Intern

Position Overview

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is seeking a Community Energy & Environmental Justice Intern for an approximately 6-month position, for the Summer 2024 (July 2024) and through the remainder of the calendar year ideally through December 2024, with an option to extend up to 12 months.  to support the implementation and evaluation of MassCEC's community clean energy adoption initiatives, including our EmPower Massachusetts program, which is an initiative focused on increasing clean energy access for previously underserved or vulnerable populations and empowering community-based innovation for solutions. As a part of these programs, MassCEC will offer grants for the exploration and implementation of promising innovative solutions. This position will also support our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), and Environmental Justice (EJ) efforts more broadly, potentially including efforts to build a more diverse clean energy workforce. 

The internship program at MassCEC includes various educational and networking opportunities, including:

• In-depth overview presentations from division heads;
• Lunch-time Tech Talks and Brown Bag Presentations;
• Guided tour of the Wind Technology Testing Center; and
• Other industry related events.

Job Duties

• Support communities and organization participating in MassCEC’s community clean energy adoption initiatives by organizing, taking notes, and potentially facilitating check-in calls.
• Collaborate with staff to maintain operational flow of active programs, including directly supporting participating communities, organizations or potential applicants, compiling program metrics, facilitating dispersal of program funds, managing quality control of documentation across programs, and supporting contracting.
• Work independently to analyze existing project data and program survey results, identify trends, and develop effective communication tools (i.e., graphs, charts, tables)
• Draft memos and presentations to summarize projects and research findings
• Provide timely responses to email and phone inquiries from  community organizations and volunteers, system installers, advocates, and others interested in EmPower Mass.
• Assist in the refinement of our current community clean energy adoption initiatives and ongoing DEI & EJ efforts through researching initiatives in other jurisdictions, participating in stakeholder engagement, and developing new program documents.
• Assist in other DEI or EJ research, outreach, and initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Education:

We welcome applicants from various backgrounds and experience levels for this role. Whether you're a college undergraduate (sophomore or higher) or a graduate student, pursuing a degree in science, environmental studies, business administration, public policy, or any related field, we encourage you to apply. What matters most to us is your passion for clean energy and environmental sustainability, along with a desire to contribute meaningfully to our initiatives.

• The candidate will be enrolled in an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters collegiate program. Relevant majors may include science, environmental studies, economics, communications, public policy, public health, or environmental justice-focused or similarly focused major. Students from any major with relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with or interest in clean energy, DEI, or EJ related issues
• Strong recordkeeping, observational and organizational skills. Approaches tasks with a high level of attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Familiarity or fluency in non-English languages commonly spoken in Massachusetts, especially Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese), and Haitian Creole
• Experience in customer service and/or communications/marketing
• Strong analytical skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, advanced skills encouraged
• Familiarity with mapping or data analytics software such as ArcGIS or Tableau encouraged

Timing

MassCEC is looking for an intern who can start in the Summer of 2024 (July 2024) and continue at least through the end of December 2024 on a full or part time basis. Applicants should be available to work at least 15 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week. The number of hours worked per week may vary over the course of the internship based on the applicant’s schedule and MassCEC’s workload. MassCEC is open to extending the internship through the Summer of 2023 on a part time or full time basis if there is mutual interest. The start date is flexible and could be as early as June2024, but should be no later than end of July 2024.

Supervision

The intern will work under the supervision of a Program Manager within the Buildings team at MassCEC.

Salary

The intern will earn $18 per hour and be eligible to work up to 40 hours per week.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center:

MassCEC is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state.  

MassCEC’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy and climate solution innovation that is critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals, advancing Massachusetts’ position as an international climate leader while growing the state’s clean energy economy.

MassCEC is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone is welcomed, supported, respected, and valued. We are committed to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice in all aspects of our work in order to promote the equitable distribution of the health and economic benefits of clean energy and support a diverse and inclusive clean energy industry. MassCEC strives to lead and innovate in equitable clean energy and climate solutions. 

To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to email a resume, cover detailing the candidate’s interest in working at MassCEC and relevant qualifications letter through our Online Career Center.

Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply.