Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC) is a national Non-profit network of organizations working together to advance a sustainable environment while creating greater ecoNomic opportunities for all. We’re transforming the energy sector, and retrofitting urban infrastructure in a high road way, by creating high wage jobs, and revitalizing the local ecoNomies of our metropolitan regions. We convene multi-sector stakeholders around common goals of ecoNomic, social and environmental equity in eight cities across the United States.

Emerald Cities Oakland is designing, coordinating and managing several initiatives in the East Bay. Our policy work – that targets equity inclusion for low-income communities and communities of color in the expanding green infrastructure- is currently working on Community Choice Aggregation development and implementation. San Francisco has voted for CleanPowerSF, and is currently in the design phase. Alameda County is taking on a year research/planning process to consider the viability of CCA in it 14 cities across the East Bay. Additionally, ECOakland is the lead on a Anchors for Resilient Communities (ARC) Initiative funded by the California Endowment, Kaiser Permanente, Kresge, SF Foundation, and Ca Wellness Foundation. This initiative will mirror the good work of the Evergreen Cooperatives, in Cleveland- where large public anchors (hospitals and universities) target their procurement dollars for small business, or social enterprise development within low-income communities (East Oakland and Richmond).

The Communications and Policy Intern will report to Emerald Cities Oakland Director and is charged with supporting the EC Bay Area staff to execute project development and implementation, policy development, support program operations and enhance capacity. In summary, facilitate community and stakeholder outreach, convene multi-stakeholder discussion, support development and integration of workforce training, and strengthen communication and operations of the local and regional programs.

You’re the ideal candidate if you… Demonstrate the ability to self start, execute strategies, work quickly, and efficiently Have strong project coordination and communication skills Understand the challenges and opportunities inherent in working with multiple stakeholders Can thrive in a Non-profit environment – which can be complicated and nuanced Are a good writer with a critical/strategic mind Are excited to join a small, but highly responsive, talented team (local and national team) This is a small Non-profit. As such, the best candidates understand cross-disciplinary work, and feel comfortable being flexible and creative. This job requires common sense, warmth, humor and the ability to work independently, responsibly and efficiently. Note: This paid internship will total approximately 850 hours over the indicated 6 months. The intern will be based out of Impact Hub Oakland, a dynamic co-working space where dozens of individuals and small teams are launching socially-minded businesses and NGOs. However, the intern will be traveling and working in San Francisco around CCA projects and possibly supporting, when time allows, project development with Director of SF site.

JOB DUTIES: Communications, Policy and Program Support Help support and maintain communications and relationships between key partners and coalitions Work with a variety of stakeholders (Elected officials, workforce intermediaries, union and business representatives, contractors, foundations, Community Colleges, etc.) around policy and project implementation needs/challenges: workforce pathways and training programs Support EC Bay Area in its tracking of key policy campaigns involving energy, sustainability and ecoNomic development (city and state) and specifically participate as an advocate/voice in both city’s Community Choice Aggregation programs Strong speaking skills, ability to engage a variety of stakeholders in a friendly and effective manner Willing to support material development for presentations to large groups of diverse stakeholders Research and Development Support and development, research and coordination of training efforts to ‘skill-up’ Oakland Unified School District k-12 facility staff on green techNologies funded by Proposition 39 passed by California voters to green school and community college facilities throughout the state Research local small business development, incubators, funding, financing opportunities for small, local and miNority business