Co-op Power is a multi-racial, multi-class movement building a just and sustainable future.  Co-op Power pools its members' buying power and member equity to build community owned green jobs and green energy in Massachusetts and southern Vermont.

Co-op Power runs very popular weekly barnraising-style solar hot water installations and energy efficiency building upgrades.

Co-op Power has partnered with Nuestras Raices to build an energy services company called Energia in Holyoke and it is currently launching Northeast Biodiesel, a plant that will produce 3.5 million gallons of biodiesel from recycled oil.

It's a great time to join the Co-op Power team and to work with Co-op Power's owner members to build upon their many successes.

The CEO job description is included below.  The CEO has primary responsibilities for community based business development and for working with members and the local organizing councils to build Co-op Power.

The Board is looking for someone with participatory management experience, community-based business development experience, and great organizing and facilitation skills. 

Salary 

Market-based

Summary

Provides core leadership for Co-op Power. Analyzes opportunities, resources, challenges, owner-member and community needs on an ongoing basis. Formulates key questions to be addressed by owner-members, the board, organizing councils, staff and volunteers. Makes decisions within existing board and owner-member policies.  Supports development of Local Organizing Councils and of new community-based sustainable energy businesses.

Manages and directs the organization toward its primary objectives, based on maximizing benefit to member-owners, community-based businesses developed, communities served, vendors, and employees by performing the following duties personally or through supervision of department managers.

• Facilitates Co-op Power's strategic planning process every three years to determine where we are, where we want to go, and how we want to get there.
• Establishes current and long range goals, objectives, plans and policies, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
• Translates the Strategic Plan annually  into a Board-Adopted Business Plan and a Staff-Adopted Action Plan.
• Supports ongoing community-based energy business development efforts within each Local Organizing Council, providing support for start-up business strategy, feasibility research, business planning, and business development.
• Supports ongoing local organizing council development, providing support for community organizing and community-based business development.
• Secures grant funds, investment, loans, and revenues to support business development efforts and the Co-op Power business plan.
• Reviews activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives and revises objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions.
• Evaluates performance of executives for compliance with established Co-op Power policies and objectives and provides support for attaining objectives.
• Plans and develops corporate, labor, and public relations policies to improve Co-op Power's performance and to build its relations with member-owners, customers, employees, investors, and public.
• Plans, coordinates, and controls the daily operation of the organization through the organization's managers.
• Establishes and maintains an effective system of communications throughout the organization.
• Represents Co-op Power with owner-members, customers, community leaders, investors, vendors, partner organizations, the financial community, and the public.

Supervisory Responsibilities

2-6 full-time staff plus dozens of volunteers

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• BA required; a masters degree in a related field preferred.
• 5 years management experience required; Participatory Management style required; Cooperative Management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to create a high performing team required.
• Familiarity with climate change, peak oil, environmental justice, zero waste, energy efficiency, renewable energy required; related work experience preferred.
• Business development experience required;  Community-based business development preferred; Community-based finance experience preferred.
• Community organizing, communications, public relations, or membership development preferred.

Language Skills

Fluent English written and oral language skills required; Fluency in Spanish also preferred.

Mathematical Skills

Strong mathematical and financial skills are required.

Reasoning Ability

Excellent verbal and mathematical reasoning required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To work with crews on weatherization teams and solar hot water installations, the employee will need to be able to carry 40 pounds up stairs and ladders, maneuver on uneven indoor and outdoor surfaces, use power tools, and endure loud, cold, dusty, and damp conditions.
• To do office work required, the employee will need to be able to work on a computer and use office equipment.

Apply

To apply please send a cover letter and resume to:

hr@cooppower.coop [1]

Interviews are beginning next week, so apply soon.