In 2017, Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Ricos electric grid, creating a public health emergency and threatening access to clean drinking water, medical services, food security, and other basic needs. Many areas on the island remained without electricity for many months. Both the physical electric grid, and the traditional utility mindset that governs it have failed the people of Puerto Rico, most particularly the rural poor. As climate change makes the frequency and severity of storms like Maria more common, a new approach to providing electricity to the island is needed.
Since we began working in Puerto Rico in 2018, EDF has used a combination of rigorous analysis, alliances with local environmental and business groups, and community partnerships to advocate for distributed clean energy generation as a viable and essential strategy in Puerto Ricos transition to 100% clean energy by 2050. In 2020, as a result of advocacy by EDF and other groups, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau issued an order that accelerates the deployment of renewable energy throughout the island, rejects utility proposals to build out gas infrastructure, and embraces clean, distributed energy generation. EDF then partnered with residents of Culebra to provide clean, resilient, and affordable power to dozens of low- and middle-income residents on the island. This project is part of an ambitious and comprehensive sustainability initiative on Culebra that seeks to integrate renewable energy with food security, waste management, health care, biodiversity conservation, and economic development.
Through a major new grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), EDF has launched a new phase of work in Puerto Rico in which it will team up with community groups in Culebra to provide solar PV and battery storage systems for up to 150 additional low-income homes on the island. EDF will coordinate this project with other clean energy and sustainability initiatives on the island and will support efforts to make Culebra the first solar island in the region. EDF will work with a network of other NGOs, industry groups, consumer advocates, and community leaders to support ongoing and new policy and regulatory initiatives, as budget allows.
EDF seeks a Manager, Clean Energy to develop and implement programmatic activities in Puerto Rico, with an emphasis on implementing the DOE award. This position will create and manage partnerships, conduct analyses, and foster collaboration among NGOs, agencies, and community partners, and others.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Clean Energy, and in collaboration with other colleagues, this position uses experience and knowledge to manage our community-based solar and storage project in Culebra, to develop a network of other communities interested in similar projects, and to support the new DOE project that aims to install more PV systems in Culebra Island.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and residents of Culebra with the goal of fostering trust, gathering information, developing project ideas, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and partners.
- Manage the Culebra solar energy pilot project by troubleshooting and helping to resolve problems, monitoring performance of installations, collecting data, and communicating results.
- Support the development and implementation of a strategy to ensure long-term operation and maintenance services.
- Support the implementation and management of a new solar energy project in Culebra by applying project management skills, gathering data, writing reports, among other tasks.
- Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
- Manage and support by overseeing budgets for project work, developing workplans, helping to negotiate project agreements and scopes of work, identifying and procuring necessary resources, project work and deliverables.
- Lead and communicate project goals and results to EDF staff, community members, policymakers, environmental groups, the media and the public through reports, interviews, presentations, and other methods.
- Develop and apply appropriate means for measuring the success of our outreach program and strategies.
- In addition to these responsibilities, the manager will play an integral role in other activities, which may include fundraising; evaluating and recommending new project ideas; disseminating and communicating project results; and being a team player in the development of a vibrant and entrepreneurial program.
- Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.
- 6+ years program or related experience with relevant bachelor’s degree. A Masters degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
- Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- A broad understanding of environmental issues including energy, climate change, coastal resilience, conservation of biodiversity, food systems, and water quality.
- Demonstrated experience in project management and exceptional organization and attention to detail.
- Understanding of the policy process and experience working with government officials.
- Proactive with an ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, both independently and collaboratively as a member of small teams in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to meet deadlines, juggle priorities, and adapt to shifting approaches and strategies.
- Strong ability to build and maintain external partnerships with communities.
- Strong analytical skills and experience performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to give presentations to large audiences and translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
- Fluency in both Spanish and English is required.