SJVCEO is hiring!

Position: Project Analyst, Full-Time

Location: Fresno, CA

Start Date: Immediately

Compensation: Based on experience

Benefits: Position is eligible for all company benefits, such as Health, Dental, 401K

Company Description:

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO), a non-profit 501 (c)3 corporation, dedicated to promoting the widespread use of clean energy resources and increasing energy efficiency through work with local governments, utilities, and community colleges.  The organization facilitates partnerships and implements programs that empower utility end-users (municipal governments, businesses, students and residents) to practice smart energy management. A key partnership facilitated by the SJVCEO is the Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW).

The VIEW is a multidimensional municipal and community-focused energy efficiency program managed in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, The Gas Company and San Joaquin Valley local governments including: Avenal, Corcoran, Dinuba, Farmersville, Hanford, Lemoore, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, Woodlake and the counties of Kings and Tulare.

Position Description:

The SJVCEO is seeking a full-time Project Analyst to support the implementation of the VIEW 2013-14 program initiatives throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The initiatives cover municipal energy retrofit project management, community outreach and education, and support for the development of city policies that fulfill the goals set forth in the California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. Essential to this position is the ability to work in a dynamic and diverse team environment to provide support and build relationships between utility representatives and municipal customers throughout the region. The Project Analyst will focus on implementing the municipal energy retrofit initiative and supporting Strategic Plan goals.

Key Responsibilities*:

·       Serve as a point-of-contact for municipal facility staff and utility account representatives.

·       Identify opportunities for comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit projects within municipalities.

·       Facilitate and track new and existing energy efficiency projects with municipal facility staff, utility account representatives and energy consultants.

·       Provide ongoing technical and project management support to local government and utility staff.

·       Prepare and present case studies of successful projects.

·       Serve as a technical resource for the SJVCEO team across multiple projects.

·       Assist in developing benchmarking policies and energy management solutions for municipalities.

·       Be proactive in identifying and responding to partner requests and needs.

·       Develop and maintain project tracking documents and databases.

·       Serve as a program representative at community outreach events.

·       Conduct presentations promoting energy efficiency, utility programs and case studies.

·       Provide comprehensive support to all SJVCEO activities as directed by Executive Director.

*Key responsibilities may change based on program contract modifications, Utility or CPUC direction.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of applicable work experience in the energy industry or related field.

·       Knowledge of facility energy systems and operations.

·       Familiarity with energy utility programs is preferred.

·       Strong project management skills.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·       Intermediate to advance Microsoft Office skills are required.

·       Must be available to work outside of regular business hours.

·       Valid driver’s license and insurance.

·       Vehicle for travel throughout the San Joaquin Valley required.

·       Professional appearance and demeanor.

·       Passion for saving energy and the environment.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and salary history to:

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Attn: Courtney Kalashian

Post: 4747 North First Street, Suite 140

Fresno, CA  93726

Email: employment@pesc.com

No calls please

Wellness Wednesday: Spring has sprung!

Bulbs that needed relocating found a home in a pot. 
Hopefully they last! 

It’s been a while since I have updated everyone on my adventures in home ownership so I thought I would share what we have been up to as of late. When we first purchased our home back in October the yard was extremely overgrown. The past five months or so have been spent tearing down a rotted out structure and shed, ripping out overgrown and crowded shrubs and trees, and slowly gaining control of the plants we intend to keep. I recently fed our 20-plus rose bushes and relocated some of the never-ending supply of bulbs like daffodils, irises, hyacinth, surprise lilies and summer snowflakes. Spring has most definitely sprung and our yard will soon look like an Easter basket explosion – no complaints here since the tidying up process has prevented us from planting the flowers, fruits, and vegetables of our choosing. I like to call our yard ‘the secret garden’ because everywhere I look there’s a new plant I failed to see the time before. My most recent discovery were the three avocado trees (plus the shoots of a million other avocado trees at the base of the full-grown ones) and the two or three apricot trees. YUM! Those should hold me over until I can begin my raised edible garden. 

This beast of a plant took forever to get up!

An edible garden has me so excited that I often find myself smiling and wandering aimlessly at Gazebo Gardens. Like I said, it won’t be a while until that project gets off the ground but it is an important project to me. Health is my main priority (hence Wild Ginger Wellness) because if you don’t have your health you can’t enjoy life to the fullest. Good nutrition is the springboard for good health and one of my greatest passions is experimenting in the kitchen. I recently whipped up the most delicious arugula and kale pesto (to go atop my homemade pizza dough along with zucchini, tomato, and creamy goat cheese) and can only imagine how much more satisfying it will taste when the ingredients come from my own backyard. 

kale-argula pesto

Homegrown (or simply locally grown for those who do not have or do not want to have a green thumb) foods are not only more nutritious for you but they are also better for the environment. The farther a food has to travel the less nutrient dense it will be by the time it reaches you. Additionally, the farther a food has to travel the more petroleum (i.e. gasoline) that will be required to transport the food from the farm to the processing plant, packaging plant, grocery store, and finally your home. An incredible amount of energy and greenhouse gases are expended every single step of the way. The less effort and energy that is required to get food to your plate, the better for you, me and the environment. 

While my yard is only likely to produce a few ingredients here and there this coming spring and summer, I will take what I can get (and hopefully make loads of guacamole) and in the meantime I will look forward to what the future holds!

EE Tip From Fig & Olive: Paper or Plastic?

Fig says, "In our house we choose paper over plastic. Why? We find it is easier, safer and healthier for our household to re-purpose the paper bags as opposed to the plastic ones. Case in point: paper bag forts are amazing and after I get bored we can recycle them."