MHC Corps – Climate and Energy Jobs Fellow

Host Site: Michigan AFL CIO Workforce Development Institute

Position Type: On-site

Site Supervisor: Claudia Kelley

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: Lansing, 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

The MI AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute’s mission is to combat economic and environmental injustice by connecting the unemployed or underemployed with the training and resources necessary to find gainful employment and transition Michigan to a cleaner, greener (and more equitable) economy. We are a statewide non-profit division of the Michigan AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in Michigan, and represent over one million members from 45 different union affiliates. We operate pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, dislocated, and adult worker programs with a focus on serving underserved communities: women, minorities, justice-involved individuals, veterans, and persons with disabilities. We achieve economic justice by connecting marginalized workers with good-paying jobs in a variety of sectors, with a heavy concentration in the skilled trades and manufacturing.

Provide Support For

MHC Corps Member Role and Responsibilities:

• Coordination/partnership with organized labor for current and prospective US Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Centers.
• Execution of Energy Auditor-related pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training for small to mid-size manufacturers.
• Building energy infrastructure-related apprenticeships with WDI and Detroit-based community partner EcoWorks.
• Preparation of presentations about energy/climate-related work for prospective funders, partners, and students/apprentices.
• Engagement with energy justice work connected to an EPA-funded project targeted at homeowners near Detroit’s Gordie Howe Bridge.
• Provision of training for energy efficiency improvements, such as solar power and heat pumps.

• Participate in capacity-building research with the Fund Development Department:

• Identify and apply for equity-focused opportunities in the clean energy space for WDI’s pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

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.