Employment Opportunity – Program Coordinator – Yellowknife

Permanent position

The Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) is a not-for-profit organization, established in 1997 to help communities, consumers, producers, regulators and policy makers to work together to reduce the costs of environmental impacts of energy and utility services in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The AEA is supported by various territorial departments and agencies, and does fee-for-service work in the private sector. The AEA is currently recruiting a Program Coordinator. 

Located in Yellowknife, but will also involve travel to NWT communities. Must be a resident of the Northwest Territories.

Purpose of the position

The AEA is a non-profit organization whose mission is:

  • “To promote and facilitate the adoption of efficient and renewable energy practices by all members of NWT society.”

The Program Coordinator’s role is to work with NWT individuals, businesses, institutions and communities to implement actions that reduce their energy costs and reduce their energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Program Coordinator’s core function is to support the delivery of AEA projects and programs, and their respective leaders, to support the timely, on-budget and on-time delivery of projects, programs and services.

Scope

The AEA delivers a suite of projects and public services dedicated to energy conservation, increasing energy efficiency, the promotion of renewable energy use, and reducing the causes of climate change, through helping northern residents, communities and businesses change behaviours and adapt to new energy-efficient technologies.

This position reports to the Executive Director (ED). The employee works on multiple projects simultaneously and must prioritize workloads in response to requests from co-workers, project leaders and the Executive Director, and in response to project deadlines and funding agency reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

  1. Supervising staff and subcontractors

The Program Coordinator is not responsible for the supervision of other AEA staff or sub-contractors. The AEA has a flat organizational structure with a matrix team approach where project leaders manage work plans for specific projects that require the participation of other AEA staff members. The Program Coordinator is expected to coordinate the work and tasks assigned to his/her team members and to keep the Operations Manager informed.

  1. Monitoring budgets and projects

The Project Coordinator is responsible for supporting the AEA in:

    • writing proposals and applications for funding;
    • reporting back to clients and funding agencies;
    • managing the delivery of alternative and energy-efficiency projects in communities in the North.
  1. Providing administrative support to the ED, Office Manager and other AEA staff as needed
  2. Developing, supporting and implementing high-quality programs that result in measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs in NWT society

Help maintain and build the AEA’s technical institutional knowledge of current “northern best practices” in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy,  plain language communications and collaborative program delivery by:

    • Keeping up to date on current “northern best practices” in the above fields;
    • Networking with other organizations in Canada and abroad in order to keep up to date on current best practices; and
    • Continuing training.

Provide basic, standardized advice and knowledge to AEA clients on current “northern best practices” in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy by:

    • Responding to inquiries from the general public by referring them to the appropriate section of the AEA website, appropriate AEA staff and/or providing the appropriate information materials.

Work with the AEA’s Energy Management Specialists in Yellowknife to provide expert advice on current “northern best energy practices” in the fields of community energy planning, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offsetting to the public by:

    • Ensuring that individuals, businesses, institutions and governments are able to get the technical support they need to complete energy projects – either through AEA or outside sources;
    • Researching the perceived barriers and benefits to specific energy management opportunities;
    • Developing strategies to encourage the adoption of specific energy management opportunities;
    • Piloting the strategies and evaluating the results; and
    • Broadly implementing and evaluating specific strategies as full scale programs.
      •  

 “Champion” projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy by:

    • Networking with and facilitating relationships between individuals, businesses, institutions and governments to make energy projects happen;
    • Selecting clients to participate as case studies; and
    • Working with these clients through the complete project implementation cycle from concept through to construction and on-going monitoring and reporting.

The employee also supports the AEA team by:

    • Writing proposals and applications for funding;
    • Reporting back to clients and funding agencies;
    • Supporting other members of the AEA team as directed by the Executive Director; and.
    • Performing additional activities that may be assigned by the Executive Director.

The position will require travel to NWT communities.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

The following are required qualifications:

  • The ability to successfully manage a project from inception through to completion and to support and encourage clients and coworkers in doing the same,
  • Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Excel and other MS Office software including Word, PowerPoint and Outlook,
  • Educational qualifications typically acquired through the completion of a post-secondary degree in science, engineering or the humanities, or equivalent experience,
  • The ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing,
  • The ability to work with the public and co-workers in a respectful and professional manner,
  • The ability to assume responsibility without direct supervision, make decisions, exercise initiative and judgement, prioritize work assignments, manage time and meet deadlines and budgetary constraints while working within a team environment,
  • Two years of experience working with the people, communities, governments and cultures of the NWT,
  • Knowledge of the NWT’s political and business environment.

 The following are preferred qualifications:

  • Proficiency using energy modeling tools such as RETScreen, HOMER, HOT2000, EE4 or equivalent,
  • Experience in collaborative/participatory programming,
  • Experience in project management and championing,  
  • A strong personal interest in energy and climate change issues,
  • Ability to speak, write or understand any of the NWT’s official languages in addition to English.

Working conditions

Time is split between in-office work and time spent in the field supporting and overseeing project deliverables. The incumbent spends about 30 to 60 days per year in communities outside their home.

Physical demands

There is limited physical effort required for this position; however, the incumbent will need to be comfortable travelling in small aircraft at different times of the year.

Environmental conditions

There are no significant adverse environmental conditions that exist in this position.

Sensory demands

There is a need for attention to detail.

Mental demands

The incumbent may be away from home about 12 times per year traveling to NWT communities for periods of up to 5 days, resulting in disruption of family and social life. The incumbent requires tact while dealing with contractors, consultants, agencies, businesses, homeowners and external agencies.

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The AEA offers a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package that includes a defined contribution registered pension plan, a group insurance plan and annual professional development opportunities.

If you would like to know more about the position, salary, and benefits, call 920-3333 or 1-877-755-5855 (toll-free).

Applicants must currently be residents of Canada.

Closing Date: Friday, March 31, 2023

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter by email to: 

Arctic Energy Alliance
#101–5102 51 St., Yellowknife, NT X1A 1S7
Jennifer Wicks, Human Resources, Jennifer.Wicks@aea.nt.ca

We thank all applicants that apply, but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.