Join Our Team

Company Overview: 

The Climate Solutions Accelerator is an inclusive, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and facilitating a large-scale climate mobilization in the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. Our mission is to create a healthier, more equitable, and regenerative community by catalyzing local efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change. 

The Accelerator is working to achieve systemic change via two main pathways: 

1. Convening and unifying a diverse range of partner organizations to facilitate action and nurture leadership development within organizations. 

2. Organizing and empowering concerned citizens to facilitate individual action, nurture the development of effective community leaders, and build the power of our local climate movement. 

All of our work is infused with an equity lens and prioritizes climate solutions that both accelerate emissions reductions and promote health, safety, and economic prosperity for all members of our community.

Position Overview: 

This position is funded by the New York State Clean Energy Internship Program, a workforce development initiative offered through the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The program focuses on enhancing the talent pipeline for New York State businesses and organizations engaged in the clean energy industry by facilitating the placement of students, recent graduates, and other eligible individuals considering career opportunities in clean energy into paid internships across the state. The Climate Solutions Accelerator will provide a meaningful internship opportunity through experiential learning in a professional setting for a fixed duration of time. The position will provide the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields the intern is considering for career paths. 

This position is designed to support the Finger Lakes Clean Energy Hub’s work to connect individuals and small businesses to clean energy technologies, opportunities, and community planning efforts. The Clean Energy Intern will work to increase awareness of current energy efficiency programs and incentives. This will be accomplished through developing and executing a schedule of attendance at public engagement events throughout the nine-county Finger Lakes region to engage and educate the larger community about the work of the Hub. 

Because the Clean Energy Hub must provide at least 35-40% of benefits to NYSERDA-designated “Disadvantaged Communities,” the Clean Energy Intern should devote special attention to deliberate inclusion of these communities in engagement activities and help ensure that the Hub as a whole is serving this target audience effectively and equitably. The intern will focus especially on underserved rural communities and seek out opportunities to engage them in local gathering spots and popular community events. You will work with smart, dedicated, and strategically savvy colleagues to collaboratively tackle the most critical issues facing our community today. 

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Engage the public in the Finger Lakes region about Clean Energy Hub services and opportunities through tabling, especially in communities outside of Monroe County. 

• Convey referrals for residents and small businesses to our Energy Advisors, who will connect them to incentive programs and contractors that best meet their needs 

• Manage a database of engagement opportunities and report on the relative effectiveness of each event in accomplishing meaningful outreach 

• Compile experiences and reporting, noting frameworks, engagement methods, and messaging that are best suited to reach Disadvantaged Communities and underserved rural residents 

• Coordinate with volunteers who are available to support engagement efforts, including notifying volunteers of times, locations, and other logistical information for events they will be attending. 

Qualifications: 

• Experience in public and community engagement 

• Comfort engaging diverse populations, including rural communities 

• Interest in learning and sharing information about clean energy/energy efficiency 

• Ability to empathize and connect with residents with a range of political and personal beliefs 

• Reliable transportation to attend events throughout the nine-county Finger Lakes region 

• Ability to transport, set up, and take down tabling equipment including folding table, folding chairs, and pop-up canopy 

• Comfort traveling to and from, and attending engagement events by oneself (after initial onboarding process) 

Eligibility: 

For purposes of this solicitation, “Eligible Interns” must meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria: 

• Individuals who are currently attending or have attended a degree program at a college or university located in New York State within the last 12 months as of the date of the intern application. 

• New York State residents attending or who have attended a degree program at a college or university outside of New York State within the last 12 months as of the date of the intern application. New York State residency, with proof of residency such as rental agreement or utility bills, must have been established prior to the start of the internship. Interns moving to the state for an internship do not qualify for funding under this PON. 

• New York State residents who are 16-24 years of age and who are members of a Disadvantaged Community and/or Priority Population. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to the Accelerator and we highly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to consider submitting an application for review. There is no such thing as the perfect candidate, so please apply even if you don’t meet all the requirements. Just use your application materials to share the transferable skills, experiences, and qualities you bring to the table. All relevant experience is welcome! 

The Accelerator is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

To apply, please contact Brady Fergusson at brady@climategfl.org. This position will be hired through NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Internship Program. Once the intern is selected by the Climate Solutions Accelerator, they will complete NYSERDA’s required online application, which requires a cover letter, resumé, residency documentation, and transcripts (if the intern is a current student).