Organization & Position Summaries

Organization Summary

Civic Works Energy Programs makes it easy and affordable for Central Maryland residents to make home energy efficiency upgrades and/or rooftop solar installations. Our outreach team uses grassroots, community organizing tactics to motivate homeowners and renters across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, and Howard County to sign up for home energy improvements, which reduce energy bills and improve the comfort and safety of the home. Outreach and intake staff assist clients in accessing a suite of home energy programs, including quick and easy installation of energy-savings products, comprehensive energy retrofits, and custom rooftop solar systems. 

As a social enterprise operating within Civic Works’ job training center, Civic Works Energy Programs is simultaneously able to provide transformative opportunities to unemployed/underemployed residents for on-the-job training and a pathway to a great job with family-sustaining wages and benefits. In 2023, with key partners and funding in place, Civic Works Energy Programs is poised to dramatically expand our impact across central Maryland by adding additional full-time community outreach coordinators. 

Civic Works’ green initiatives have been highlighted by Green for All, The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, the US Conference of Mayors, and the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission. Join us in creating a more just and equitable clean energy economy. For more information regarding our residential energy programs, please visit http://energyprograms.civicworks.com. For more information regarding our broader work in workforce development, please visit http://sustainablecareers.civicworks.com 

Position Summary

Civic Works is immediately hiring a Community Outreach Coordinator to dramatically increase the number of homeowners and renters of all income levels taking advantage of free and subsidized home energy efficiency and solar energy installation programs. The Community Outreach Coordinator will engage with residents through direct outreach and education activities at community events. The Community Outreach Coordinator will have a geographic focus in Howard County, Baltimore County and/or Harford County. 

When engaging with prospective clients, the Community Outreach Coordinator will answer questions and motivate clients to apply for energy upgrade services and scheduling appointments. The Community Outreach Coordinator will also build partnerships with community-based organizations to spread the word about Civic Works programs through trusted messengers. The Community Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for thoroughly tracking all partnerships, outreach activities, and clients in our Salesforce database, so that the Coordinator may evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts and report quantitative results to funders.

Candidates with additional experience may qualify for a senior-level Community Outreach Coordinator position (grade 9). The senior-level Community Outreach Coordinator will have increased quantitative position goals and responsibilities commensurate with their greater level of experience.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Primary Responsibilities:

1). Building & Maintaining Partnerships

• Build partnerships with community organizations and leaders, enlisting their support in outreach to residents about the benefits of Civic Works energy efficiency and solar energy upgrade services. 
• Build two-way referral networks with staff at other community organizations and agencies that provide assistance to low- and moderate- income clients with financial, legal, or home repair and remediation services. 
• Organize community events, workshops and presentations for a variety of neighborhood groups, civic associations, workplaces, and faith-based organizations. 
• Regularly enter profile and contact information for community partners into the Customer Relationship Management system, Salesforce. Log communications and joint events with community partners in Salesforce. 
• Track the quantitative results and evaluate the effectiveness of all community partnerships and work toward continuous improvement.

2). Direct Outreach and Education with Homeowners and Renters 

• Engage directly with residents through outreach at community events, presentations, and phone calls – including at regular evening and weekend events. Customize messaging to meet the customer’s needs and interests. Motivate residents to sign up for energy upgrade services and schedule appointments on the spot.
• Educate the customer about the benefits of signing up for home energy efficiency and solar services and their eligibility for free and/or subsidized home upgrades. Educate the customer about what to expect from the process going forward after signup.
• Follow up with customers after energy upgrades are complete to enlist their support as ambassadors for the program and enroll them as “Energy Captains”.
• Assist customers in completing online intake applications. Regularly enter customer data into the Customer Relationship Management system, Salesforce.
• Track the quantitative results and evaluate the effectiveness of all direct outreach activities and work toward continuous improvement.

3). If a candidate qualifies for a senior-level Community Outreach Coordinator position, additional responsibilities will include:

• Consistently meet increased quantitative position goals.
• Managing the direct outreach calendar by reviewing the results of events attended in previous years, updating the prioritization of events, identifying new events to attend, establishing goals for events, coordinating with other outreach staff, and managing the internal calendar.
• Representing Civic Works as a primary spokesperson for TV segments, radio segments, and other press events featuring Energy Programs. Working with Civic Works’ communications consultant to ensure alignment of messaging with briefing documents and press releases.
• Supporting fund development and soliciting Letters of Support from community partners for grant proposals and establishing MOU agreements specifying formal roles and commitments from partners during specific grant periods. 

Education and Experience:

• Prior experience with community outreach, marketing, communications, field organizing, or lead generation required
• Prior experience in energy efficiency or solar energy a plus but not required
• Previous expertise or ability to quickly learn iPad apps a plus (such as Google Mail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Dropbox, and Slack).
• Experience using Salesforce (or comparable customer retention management software) a plus but not required 
• Familiarity with Baltimore County, Harford County, and/or Howard County
• Candidates who have a significant level of experience with direct community outreach/lead generation and tracking outreach partnerships with a customer relationship management system may qualify for a senior-level Community Outreach Coordinator position.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to explain technical information in an easy-to-understand way
• Excellent verbal communication skills, interpersonal relations skills, sales skills, and writing skills
• Phenomenal relationship building skills, ability to personally connect with and engage with diverse groups of stakeholders and customers
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Exceptional personal responsibility for meeting goals and a track record of success
• Ability to recognize problems, develop innovative solutions and implement them
• Strong initiative and creativity, and able to excel while working independently
• Strong computer skills 
• Maintain a flexible schedule, to accommodate community opportunities that may occur on evenings and weekends. 
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis.
• Regular access to a car.
• Able to regularly travel to outreach events across Central Maryland, including Baltimore County, Harford County, and/or Howard County.
• Enthusiasm for energy efficiency and social justice.