P2 Professional

POSITION TITLE:  Program and Events Director  ORGANIZATION: Solar Oregon (www.solaroregon.org)  POSITION TERM: May 2007 – March 2008.HOURS: 40hrs/wk. 80 hours personal leave.  Very flexible schedule.LOCATION: Portland. Close in SE.APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Wednesday May 7.ORGANIZATION’S MISSION:To provide education and community outreach to encourage Oregonians to choose solar energy.Founded in 1979, Solar Oregon is a non-profit membership organization and is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.  Solar Oregon is currently partnering with the Portland Office of Sustainable Development and Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. to engage over 3000 Oregonians through outreach activities and compelling workshops designed to inform and educate Oregonians on how to ‘Go Solar’.POSITION SUMMARY:Solar Oregon is preparing for significant growth and presents an opportunity for the right individual with the skills, desire and flexibility to help grow this innovative and up-and-coming organization. Leadership skills, entrepreneurial drive and experience as well as flexibility in work situation are more important than direct solar industry experience.  This is a very unique opportunity to put your transferable skills to work in building Solar Oregon, thereby allowing you to make a smooth transition into the field of renewable energy and sustainability.  This 11 month position provides an avenue to make connections across the state in the field of renewable energy as well as a very real possibility for continued work with Solar Oregon as the organization’s growth allows. The creation of this opportunity and the magnitude of its impact is very much up to the success of this 11 month project.This is an AmeriCorps position with the newly created Professional Placement program (P2) and offered through the Northwest Service Academy’s Lower Columbia Center. P2 has been designed to provide opportunities for highly qualified men and women to serve on compelling, environmentally focused projects.  A win-win situation is achieved by placing highly qualified professionals in an environment that allows them to transition into this promising field while contributing to the developmental needs of a small non-profit or a transitional program with a larger organization.  See www.p2professional.org  or www.nwserviceacademy.org GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:Workshops and events – year round* Facilitate a team of solar professionals in developing professional Power Point presentations while balancing the interests of our partners and needs of the public* Manage educational material production and redevelopment; creatively redesign printed materials and update information as needed* Further develop low maintenance, technology-based systems to schedule, advertise and maintain reservation lists and payment records for 29 workshops in 2007* Coordinate Solar educational programs, workshops and eventsOregon Green & Solar Home Tours – occur in late summer and early fall* Work with the Oregon Tour coordinator in providing a foundation for small community tours, supporting them with a structure of magazine deadlines, publicity opportunities and sponsorship/grant requirements for funding* Coordinate a team of volunteers to staff 30 event/days of tabling across Oregon in 2007 (majority of events are in Portland).  Schedule the majority of these events utilizing volunteer resources to aid in staffing. Many events will require onsite supervision and support.* Manage display materials and literature for outreach efforts* Act as liaison between Solar Oregon and our contract funders (currently, Portland Office of Sustainable Development and Energy Trust of Oregon).  Ensure contract deliverables are met.Office* Manage general administration as related to outreach.  Act as the point person for email and phone inquiries, manage database mailing list, and update website content and links regularlyMembership* Manage renewal and prospective member outreach process for individual membership tiers* Maintain member data collection process including entry/import into database system (File Maker Pro)Website* Manage content, layout and solicit submissions for our quarterly newsletter* Write short articles updating solar community on Solar Oregon programs, offerings and organizational newsREQUIREMENTS:* Skills and interest in building organizations and the vision and dedication to invest the time to make great things happen!* Overall competence with MS Office applications: Power Point, Outlook/Thunderbird, Excel, and Word * Skills with mail merge into emails as well as Word documents* Availability to work some evenings and weekends.  (Average: Two weekends and two week nights per month.)* Displayed success in managing staff and/or volunteer coordination* Ability to juggle multiple priorities and hit the ‘sweet spot’ in the curve of diminishing returns* Regular access to a reliable vehicle* U.S. Citizen, national or lawful permanent residentPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:* Background or skills in educational programming, community outreach and event coordination* Experience with or knowledge of renewable energy and solar technologies* Basic graphic design skills with Publisher, Adobe or open source programs* Experience with web site content management* Public speaking experience and skillSTIPEND AND BENEFITS: Benefits include a living allowance of approximately $1250/month, basic medical insurance, workers compensation, qualified student loan forbearance (after successful completion of term of service, AmeriCorps may pay the accrued interest on qualified student loans) and a training fund of up to $500. Upon completion of term of service, an education ward of $4,725 can be used to repay existing student loans or further your education.  Solar Oregon provides flexible hours and work days, and the opportunity to become part of a team of individuals equally committed to sustainability and renewable energy. HOW TO APPLY:   Submit an interest letter, and resume to Michael VanDerwater, Executive Director, at Solar Oregon. 205 SE Grand Avenue, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97214 or Michael@solaroregon.org. No phone calls or visits please.      

Neighbors West-Northwest Position DescriptionPOSITION TITLE:  Neighborhood Clean-Up Program CoordinatorORGANIZATION: Neighbors West-Northwest (www.nwnw.org)POSITION TERM: October 2007–September 2008.HOURS: 40hrs/wk. 80 hours personal leave.LOCATION: Northwest Portland.APPLICATION DEADLINE: 4:00 PM Thursday, September 13, 2007ORGANIZATION’S MISSION:Neighbors West-Northwest supports grassroots democracy in action! The staff at NWNW supports neighborhood volunteers as they govern their own affairs, advocate for their community interests, and promote public involvement in the development of public policy. Neighborhoods are a volunteer-driven training ground for aspiring citizen activists. Our staff provides resources to help develop future leaders.NWNW supports neighborhood volunteers by providing direct service and expertise in community involvement, outreach, communications, land use, fiscal management, and much more. Our region includes the residents and businesses in 10 officially recognized neighborhood associations in inner southwest and northwest Portland, Oregon. Visit our website, www.nwnw.org, for more information about Arlington Heights, Forest Park, Goose Hollow, Hillside, Linnton, Northwest District, Northwest Heights, Northwest Industrial, Pearl District, and Sylvan-Highlands.POSITION SUMMARY:Neighbors West-Northwest is working to recruit, organize, and train volunteers by providing expanded support for neighborhood clean-ups. Neighborhood clean-up activities happen every year with minimal support from our office, but these highly visible, useful events can increase interest and participation in neighborhood associations. In addition, active volunteers will be able to build their leadership skills as neighborhood coordinators. Clean-ups can include:* Walking to pick up litter on neighborhood streets,* Collecting garbage, bulky waste, and recycling during large events at central locations,* Cleaning up illegal dump sites,* Eliminating graffiti* Removing invasive species, and* Replanting natural areas with native plants.We are looking for an AmeriCorps member to serve as a central Clean-up coordinator providing direct support to each neighborhood organizer. Direct support includes assisting each neighborhood in planning their clean-up events; helping neighborhood volunteers develop skills that will be transferable to other events and projects; and recruiting new neighborhood members who may participate in future clean-ups and other neighborhood activities. The AmeriCorps member will also educate neighborhoods about the resources available to support their clean-ups and provide information about applicable environmental issues.This is an 11 month AmeriCorps position with the newly created Professional Placement program (P2) and offered through the Northwest Service Academy’s Lower Columbia Center. P2 has been designed to provide opportunities for highly qualified men and women to serve on compelling, environmentally focused projects. A win-win situation is achieved by placing highly qualified professionals in an environment that allows them to transition into this promising field while contributing to the developmental needs of a small non-profit or a transitional program with a larger organization. See www.p2professional.org or www.nwserviceacademy.org.GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:Membership Recruitment* Utilize clean-ups as a recruitment tool for the neighborhoods to get new people involved.* Encourage an environment that helps new participants feel welcome.* Track participants’ volunteer interests.* Invite clean-up participants to get involved in additional neighborhood activities related to their interests.Event Planning* Recruit volunteer clean-up organizers from each participating neighborhood.* Support the neighborhood organizers by coordinating other event planning tasks like scheduling locations, soliciting donations, sending out thank you letters, etc.* Solicit or write articles and announcements for the clean-up events and trainings.* Canvas neighborhoods & explore other tools to increase clean-up participation, especially targeting underrepresented groups including renters.* Develop community partnerships with businesses, community centers, non-profits, and schools.* Develop a volunteer recognition program element.* Coordinate resources available from Metro, the City of Portland, and SOLV for neighborhood clean-ups.Training* Work with staff to develop trainings about volunteer recruitment & management, meeting facilitation, event planning, and other related topics.* Promote related trainings available through the City or other organizations.Education* Inventory local opportunities and resources for neighborhood clean-ups.* Create & develop neighborhood written materials to support clean-ups.Website* Maintain the Neighbors West-Northwest website regarding the clean-ups, resources and trainings.Office* Maintain databases to track volunteers participating in clean-up events.REQUIREMENTS:* Skills and interest in building organizations, creating partnerships and reaching underrepresented groups.* Overall competence with MS Office applications: Outlook, Excel, and Word.* Desktop publishing skills, preferably In Design or PageMaker.* Ability to juggle multiple priorities.* Availability to work some evenings and weekends. (Evening and weekend hours will be heaviest in the spring when most clean-ups occur.)* Regular access to a reliable vehicle (Some NW Portland neighborhoods do not have bus access.)* U.S. Citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:* Background or skills in event coordination, community outreach and educational programming.* Ability to share information utilizing many techniques.* Experience with web site content management.* Public speaking experience and skills.* Interest in the City of Portland’s neighborhood system.* Passion about recycling & environmental stewardship.STIPEND AND BENEFITS: Benefits include a living allowance of approximately $1250/month before taxes, basic medical insurance, workers compensation, qualified student loan forbearance (after successful completion of term of service, AmeriCorps may pay the accrued interest on qualified student loans) and a training fund of up to $500. Upon completion of term of service, an education award of $4,725 can be used to repay existing student loans or further your education. Mileage reimbursement provided.HOW TO APPLY: Submit a letter of interest and resume to Angela Southwick, Community Outreach Specialist, at Neighbors West-Northwest. 2257 NW Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210 or angela@nwnw.org. No phone calls or visits please.