MHC Corps – Clean Energy Fellow

Host Site: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Position Type: On-site

Site Supervisor: Joe Tyler

Slot Type: Full term (11 months)

Hours: Full-time placement (40 hours/week)

Dates of Service: November 13th, 2024 – October 17th, 2025

Stipend: $35,200

Location: Detroit, MI

MI Healthy Climate Corps

Join the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHC Corps) and make a lasting impact on Michigan’s carbon-neutral future! The MHC Corps accelerates Michigan’s climate action through capacity building and leadership development. Members serve across the state to advance the MI Healthy Climate Plan’s (MHCP) goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan, unveiled by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022, aims to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis; create good-paying jobs; position Michigan as a climate action leader; and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders.

About The Host Partner

MEDC works with Michigan businesses and communities of all sizes to deliver the services and support they need to grow and succeed. With a network of more than 100 partners, MEDC propels Michigan to boldly drive the world forward.

This position is with the Strategic Sector Development and Supply Chain Resiliency team, which is focused on driving clean energy developments in the State. We are leveraging the momentum of the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan and pursuing this development through a variety of novel initiatives, such as pitch competitions, supplier diversification, and ecosystem construction.

MHC Corps Member Role And Responsibilities

• Identify Federal funding opportunities related to clean energy and sustainability for Michigan-based, small-medium size businesses (SMBs), and support marketing them to our SMB network (through emails, social media posts, web pages, etc.). After promoting, we will work with the member to recruit specific SMBs to apply for the opportunities, connecting them to the appropriate technical assistance providers to assist with their applications. The goal is to leverage the maximum amount of federal dollars available to assist Michigan’s SMBs in becoming more sustainable, helping the State’s economic development while simultaneously meeting the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
• Work with the State’s two largest utilities—DTE and Consumers (CMS)—to understand their clean energy supply chain needs. The member will assist in identifying and connecting with Michigan suppliers who can fill these needs, with special preference given to internal combustion engine (ICE) suppliers at risk of being phased out in the electric vehicle (EV) transition. The member will connect prospective suppliers to appropriate resource providers—such as the University of Michigan’s (UofM) Economic Growth Institute and the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)—to help the suppliers transition to production of clean energy products for DTE and CMS. The member will be involved in conversations at all levels– with the utilities, the suppliers, and the network of resource providers.
• Identify clean energy and climate tech companies in Michigan. The member will work with local partners—such as the Centrepolis C3 Accelerator, UofM’s Global C02 Initiative, and Sustainability—to produce asset maps and lists of such companies in Michigan.
• The member will also help identify and recruit Michigan-based organizations (companies, governments, universities and non-profits) interested in adopting the products and services offered by clean energy and climate tech companies. The member will help plan and host innovation and pitch competitions showcasing these in-state solutions while seeking to connect them with early adopters and end-users.
• The member will also assist in attracting clean energy and climate tech companies– from across the country and world– to Michigan. This will be pursued via activities similar to those described above, in addition to attending conferences and working with MEDC’s internal analysts and attraction teams.
• Empower the community to access federal and state climate resources by planning meetings, educational programs, and/or other activities to consistently share information.
• Participate in MHC Corps member development shared learning and collaboration activities including four MHC Corps in-person convenings, MHC Corps monthly virtual trainings (refer to calendar attachment), and Michigan’s AmeriCorps activities.
• Members will host a community input session with their host site to collect community feedback and advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Evaluation And Reporting

• Members will complete a Mid-year Performance Evaluation during the term.
• Other reporting requirements (bi-weekly timesheets, monthly data reports, quarterly narrative reports).

Preferred Qualifications

The appropriate candidate will have a strong interest and/or background in environmental issues, coalition building and/or community organizing, and communications or a combination of such interests. The appropriate candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, the ability to work within a team or as an individual and be familiar with the Microsoft Office suite and Google Applications. Members are required to work the standard office hours of their host communities.

No specific background or education is required to join the MHC Corps!

But a minimum of 2 years of experience in these types of situations is essential for success:

• Experience facilitating a meeting with people who have more experience than them
• Complete their work independently and without constant supervision
• Experience overcoming obstacles in work situations in the past
• Experience managing multiple professional relationships
• Comfortable working outside of the typical 9 am – 5 pm to attend community events
• Ability to use or teach oneself new software in a fast-paced role with little oversight

Minimum Qualifications

• Live in Michigan
• Ability to travel to four in-person MHC Corps convenings around the state. Carpools will be available and encouraged.
• Be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED, or be working toward the completion of one.
• U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Pass the following National Service Criminal History Checks: State of Michigan background check, State of residency (if not Michigan), FBI Fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry.

Compensation

Members will receive a living allowance of $35,200 distributed in even increments, bi-weekly. Members will receive student loan forbearance for qualified loans, health care benefits, child care assistance upon eligibility, and continual professional development. Upon successful completion of service, an education award in the amount of $7,395 will be issued. Members will serve approximately 40 hours per week (a total of 1,700 hours during the service term).

The MI Healthy Climate Corps Program is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interviews and service as needed.