Rising Sun Energy Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit based Berkeley, seeks a passionate individual with a unique skill set to teach hands-on skills for the Green Energy Training Services (GETS) green jobs training program and then place graduates into employment.

Rising Sun Energy Center is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. We are committed to diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability status. EOE/AA/Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATION

Rising Sun Energy Center, founded in 1994, has evolved from a modest renewable energy education center into a leading green workforce development and retrofit services organization. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve environmental and economic sustainability for themselves and their communities. More information about Rising Sun is available at www.risingsunenergy.org

Our adult workforce development program, Green Energy Training Services (GETS), prepares participants for careers in the construction, energy efficiency, and solar industries.

GREEN ENERGY TRAINING SERVICES (GETS)

GETS is a pre-apprenticeship training program designed to prepare un- and under-employed adults for entry-level jobs in construction, energy efficiency, and the solar industry. GETS Core is a 9-week training that covers basic construction skills, energy auditing and efficiency measure installation, math, job readiness, and life skills. The nationally-recognized Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) is woven into training to prepare participants for success in union apprenticeships, and to get them ready to succeed in the application process. An additional 2-week solar installation elective provides hands-on training for work in the solar industry. After training, some graduates complete 120-hour paid internships with local employers to gain additional hands-on skills.

GETS participants are low-income residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Some have been unemployed for 3 months or more, others face barriers to employment, including, but not limited to:

Limited English proficiency; Limited math/literacy skills; No driver’s license; Criminal background/recent incarceration; Lack of stable work experience; Single parent; Recovering from substance abuse; Homeless.

Before, during, and after training, the GETS team works together to help GETS participants address barriers to employment, find jobs, and retain employment long-term. Participants also receive weekly job announcement emails and are invited to attend monthly alumni meetings and events. GETS graduates receive follow-up services for at least one year after completing training.

The GETS curriculum was developed by Rising Sun with significant input from employers and industry experts. Rising Sun maintains an Employer Advisory Council, which serves as our core network of employers. The Employer Advisory Council gives ongoing input into curriculum development, provides industry updates, and serves as the trusted first source for hiring GETS graduates.

POSITION DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Training and Placement Manager has a diverse range of responsibilities that are essential to the program’s success. Under the supervision of the Director of Adult Programs, the Training and Placement Managerwill have the following responsibilities:

Curriculum Development and Training Instruction

Planning and preparation
Use the GETS curriculum, Multi-Craft Core Curriculum, and other curriculum materials to create an engaging and effective training class.
Inventory all tools and materials; purchase all needed tools, materials, and equipment before each training class.
Develop the training calendar, curriculum, lesson plans, and competency lists for each training class.
Meet with instructor team to coordinate and collaborate on project-based learning.
Class instruction

Provide interactive hands-on instruction of basic construction skills, including carpentry, electrical, roofing, foundations and concrete, and plumbing, as well as tool identification and safe tool use.
Provide interactive, hands-on instruction of energy efficiency assessment and retrofit installation skills, including setup and use of blower door, duct blaster, gas leak detector, and infrared camera, as well as installing insulation, air and duct sealing, and other efficiency measures.
Provide interactive hands-on instruction on solar PV system design and installation.
Provide engaging and interactive instruction on blueprint reading and introductory drafting skills.
Coordinate class field trips to apprenticeship training centers, Habitat for Humanity and Grid Alternatives work sites, and field test houses.
Evaluate student learning using competency framework; sign off on student tracking forms and record student progress.
Adequately prepare for each class day, including lesson planning, set-up and take-down of teaching equipment and materials.

Manage classroom behavior and participation effectively, including tracking attendance and enforcement of all classroom rules.
Serve as a role model for GETS participants with regard to safety, professional conduct, and classroom participation; use the classroom environment to teach soft skills such as hard work, teamwork, quality workmanship, working efficiently.

Job Placement

Work with GETS team to meet all job placement goals and outcomes for the GETS program.
Counsel GETS training participants one-on-one during and after GETS training to set employment goals and follow up on action steps to reach those goals.
Reach out to employers to identify internship opportunities and job openings and “sell” our graduates as ideal candidates for positions.
Refer qualified GETS graduates to available internships and job openings.
Assist GETS graduates with job applications and preparation for interviews.
Follow up with both GETS graduates and employers to ensure placement is successful.
Talk to employers about available hiring incentives.
Assist GETS graduates in researching and applying to union apprenticeships, and reaching out to union employers that can sponsor them into unions.
Partner with Case Manager to host monthly evening alumni meetings.
Assemble weekly job postings email and send to all GETS graduates.

Employer Outreach and Networking

Conduct direct in-person and phone outreach to employers in the building performance, HVAC, construction, solar, and related industries.
Build strong and lasting relationships with employers in our network.
Build and strengthen relationships with local labor unions and union employers.
Identify and build relationships with employers in new industry sectors.
Manage the Employer Advisory Council.
Attend industry gatherings and other meetings and events where employers will be present.

Program Administration

Help collect employment verification (pay stubs) from GETS graduates placed in employment at hire and at 3-month intervals for a minimum of 12 months.
Write case notes summarizing meetings with GETS graduates.
Maintain up-to-date placement-related paperwork in case files.
Maintain a log of employer outreach, positions identified, and GETS graduates hired.
Complete and submit regular reports on progress toward placement and employer outreach goals.
Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for this position will meet the following qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:
At least 3-5 years hands-on experience working in construction, either residential construction or in one of the Building Trades
General knowledge of residential construction, including carpentry, roofing, foundations and concrete, electrical, and plumbing
Prior teaching experience
Experience conducting employer outreach and building effective relationships with companies in the construction, solar, HVAC, energy efficiency, or related industries
Knowledge of and experience with unions in the building trades and union employers
Outgoing self-starter, demonstrated ability to ‘sell’ GETS graduates to employers
Commitment to helping low-income people access employment and work toward economic self-sufficiency
Strong desire to work with and serve as a role model for the target population
Impeccable commitment to learning, personal growth, and professional conduct
Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office and knowledge of or ability to learn Salesforce
Ability to work as part of a team
Self-directed, hard-working, and with assiduous follow-through
Strong attention to detail
Organized, able to balance multiple competing priorities
Ability to build trust among both employers and participants
Flexible and adaptable
Driver’s license, clean driving record, and proof of insurance required
Access to a vehicle for use in employer outreach
Candidates with the following are strongly preferred:
Knowledge of and experience with residential energy efficiency and/or solar PV, or willingness to obtain relevant training and certifications
Prior experience teaching construction to at-risk youth or adults with barriers to employment
Prior experience conducting employer outreach and job placement activities
Construction crew leader or licensed general contractor experience
Experience with the target population(s)
Experience with curriculum design and lesson planning

COMPENSATION

This is a full time position (40 hours per week) with Paid Time off and full benefits. Work hours are generally Monday – Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm, though some evening and weekend hours will be required.

How to apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to: Elena Foshay, Director of Adult Programs; getsjobs@RisingSunEnergy.org. Please put ‘Training and Placement Manager’ in subject line. Application deadline is October 1, 2015.