Conservation and Energy Efficiency Program Assistant

This position is offered through the 2009 Sierra Nevada AmeriCorp Partnership. Please click here for more information about the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorp Partnership.

Program Description: Sierra Business Council establishes programs that protect and enhance the beauty and functions of the region’s healthy, thriving ecosystems. Our programs focus on landscape and habitat conservation; they work to maintain intact and healthy ecosystems that can adapt to environmental change and continue to thrive and support human and natural life. Recognizing that all human, cultural, and economic systems are interwoven with the environment, our conservation efforts support a healthy environment for all living things, now and in the future.

Reducing energy consumption and increasing conservation measures in the Sierra Nevada while promoting green economic development, social fairness, and long term environmental quality lies at the root of our energy efficiency goals. We implement imperative conservation measures, reducing our reliance on peak oil and coal power, and exploring alternatives. We also see these measures tied inherently to the regional economy. Our energy efficiency program sets specific goals related to energy conservation in the region and seeks to address and achieve these goals through a set of strategies that embrace and reinforce broader sustainability objectives.

Service Position:
This position is designed to support and lead several of Sierra Business Council’s ongoing projects; first and foremost through broad conservation efforts. The tasks set forth in this position include:

• Environmental and Community Education of energy efficiency measures through events, and development of the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch
• Community education for the Think Local First Program, rooting and celebrating local services and enterprises that support a local living economy
• Community Education and maintenance of the Thiriving Forests Compendium; a wealth of forestry information containing case studies of outstanding forest management systems and products
• Field work and assistance with coordination water quality projects through SBC’s Low Impact Development work
• Potential for: Assistance with field work and oversight of water quality monitoring and the development of ski area erosion control practices

• Strong computer and organizational skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with others
• Be an advocate of social responsibility and societal values
• Background or strong interest in Environmental Studies, Conservation, and Sustainability
• An interest in working closely with the public and public outreach efforts