Executive Director

About Communities for Local Power

Communities for Local Power (CLP), formerly known as Citizens for Local Power, is hiring an Executive Director. The job description is below.

The CLP mission is to help communities in the Mid-Hudson Region transition to a locally-based, clean energy economy. Combining research, education, advocacy, and project coordination, CLP supports community and municipal engagement in energy decision-making, transforming energy policy and practice to strengthen local economies, mitigate climate change and increase resilience.

Founded in 2012, CLP has a proud history of activism and innovation in energy-related areas, including Empower Kingston, CLP’s green jobs training program, which is offered twice a year in partnership with local building contractors, Ulster County, SUNY Ulster, and community allies. CLP joins with community groups, advocacy organizations, and other interested parties in utility rate cases and other proceedings before the NYS Public Service Commission, where CLP has been a leader in opposing Central Hudson’s regular requests for unjustified rate hikes and participates in other proceedings related to the urgently needed transition away from reliance on fossil fuels.

More information about CLP may be found here: communitiesforlocalpower.org

Invitation to Apply

CLP is committed to enhancing the organization by actively encouraging people of any race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expressions, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, or protected veteran status to apply.

CLP is an open and inclusive workplace and seeks applications from a diverse range of applicants, including BIPOC individuals and persons who may have non-traditional credentials for working in an energy policy organization. For example, persons with strong community organizing experience are invited to apply. Training in energy policy areas can be provided.

Reports to: Board of Directors

Application Deadline: Resumes will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Send Cover Letter and Resume to: ted@communitiesforlocalpower.org

Position Description

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for key operational aspects of the organization, including program management, strategic planning, budget oversight, and external stakeholder relations. Working with the Associate Executive Director and the CLP Board and Kitchen Cabinet advisory group, the ED will lead development and realization of the organization's overall vision and goals.

Internal Operations

• Strategist: The ED will develop a strategic plan to outline our vision, goals, actions, and growth for the future. On an annual basis, they will develop the work plan and the budget. While these will be developed in collaboration with the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for initiating the documents for the Board to comment and advise on. Duties include:
  • Strategic plan should be developed within six months of the ED’s hire.
  • Draft work plan and budget for the upcoming year should be developed no later than November 1 each year.
  • Oversee and work with the consultant bookkeeper to understand, update, and maintain the budget. Prepare budget reports for the annual meeting and other meetings as warranted.
• Board Liaison: Work with the Kitchen Cabinet and members of the Board to create, implement, and oversee plans and projects in keeping with the CLP mission. Support the work of the volunteer Kitchen Cabinet and its Working Groups in realizing CLP’s objectives. Schedule or delegate responsibility for scheduling internal and external meetings, as needed, in virtual and in person. Duties include:
  • Attend Board and Kitchen Cabinet meetings.
    • Note taking or delegation of note taking duties
    • Information sharing with the Board as needed, e.g., minutes, reports
    • Creation of Kitchen Cabinet Agendas
  • Develop first drafts of CLP documents that are outside the scope of Board members.
  • Maintain or delegate maintenance of CLP calendar of events.
• Team Lead: Identify, recruit, train, and lead a team of full- or part-time staff members, consultants, and interns, as necessary, to help achieve CLP objectives. Develop the organizational culture to promote equity, transparency, and collaboration, in keeping with the CLP mission and Code of Conduct. Take an active role in the retention of key employees, by scheduling weekly meetings, a monthly in-person get-together, and semi-annual job development conversations. Duties include:
  • Provide job descriptions and company manual to new hires.
  • Meet regularly with team members; understand their professional goals and the way in which CLP can help realize those goals.
• Financial Oversight: Supervise all record-keeping, including financial, ensuring the transparency, accuracy, and appropriate accessibility of files and documents. Duties include:
  • Maintain accurate records and ensure accessibility to all contractors’ financial records for CLP.
  • Work with the Treasurer, Administrative and Operations Manager, and bookkeeper to ensure financial records are being maintained correctly.
• Regulatory/Legal Oversight: Monitor operations to ensure that business practices comply with regulatory and legal requirements. Identify potential risks and opportunities within the organization and its environment. Duties include:
  • Ensure that Workers Comp and general liability insurance and filings with NYS Dept of State, Dept of Taxation and Finance, and other key obligations are current and in good standing.
  • Ensure that financial obligations are brought to the attention of the Treasurer and bookkeeper.

External Relations

• Spokesperson: Represent the organization at social and activist events in ways that strengthen the CLP brand and communicate the organization’s message. Duties include:
  • Be prepared to answer media inquiries. Media training can be arranged.
  • Discuss CLP positions with the Board in advance of media interviews.
  • Develop and disseminate information.
  • Regularly attend community meetings not specifically related to energy, to meet new people and spread the word about CLP’s work; e.g., social justice organizations, neighborhood groups, grassroots organizing groups, arts advocacy groups, etc.
• Partnership Builder: Support and expand CLP’s partnerships with community stakeholders, municipal and county leaders, and other allies, including EDA and local/regional non-profits, faith-based and community groups. Duties include:
  • Develop internal annual goals for partnerships to be sought or strengthened.
  • Plan and execute educational/informational events as necessary.
  • Develop/maintain a database of stakeholders and use it to grow our audience with e-blasts, etc.
• Educator: Work with allies and the general public to deepen their understanding of energy issues and enhance cooperation in achieving shared goals, Duties include:
  • Develop or direct development of required materials and resources.
  • Identify when CLP staff would benefit from receiving formal training and education, so as to improve the ability to teach others, e.g., energy policy workshops, implicit bias and anti-racism training, non-profit leadership training, etc.
  • Identify CLP website updates as needed and organize a process for posting updates in a timely manner (at least quarterly).

Fundraising/Revenue Generation

• Identify Prospects and Opportunities: Research potential sources of income and organize fundraising efforts. Duties include:
  • Keep CLP volunteers continuously informed, motivated, and involved in fundraising and development.
  • Build and maintain a database of donors and prospects; provide updates with status notes.
  • Apply for grants. Share drafts with the Board and Kitchen Cabinet to solicit feedback. When applications are not successful, request debriefs to learn how to succeed next time.
  • Work with the Board and Kitchen Cabinet to meet the annual fundraising target.
  • Ensure that donations are properly deposited, logged and acknowledged.
  • With the involvement of Board or Kitchen Cabinet members, develop next steps to reach individual donors, set up a crowdsourcing platform, and apply for grants.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be a self-starter who is committed to working for a just energy transition and has strong community ties in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York State.

• Professional or personal experience in activist, organizing, non-profit, fundraising, or campaign work.
• Commitment to racial, social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Ability to lead teams, manage projects, and delegate tasks effectively.
• Analytical skills to identify opportunities, assess risks, and develop strategic plans.
• ​Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively and independently.
• Experience with human resources and benefits management, policy compliance, etc.
• Familiarity with bookkeeping, financial record keeping, etc.
• Familiarity with Facebook and Instagram, Meta Business Suite, Zoom, GSuite, and Squarespace, or a willingness to learn how to use these platforms.
• Personal vehicle.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is not required, but a plus.

Salary

$70K to $80K (Commensurate with Experience)

Location

This is a hybrid position. CLP has office space at CoWork Kingston. Work will be done in the office space, at home, and in other locations as necessary.