Current Open positions

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Cooperative Energy Futures! All current job openings will be posted here - please apply if we have an open position that is a fit for you! In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about us, feel free to visit the 'About Us' section of our website. We appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to potentially welcoming new team members in the future.

Home Energy Data Collector

Start Date: On or around May 1, 2025

FLSA status: Regular full time, exempt

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,0000 Annual salary based on experience

Reports to: Energy Efficiency Program Developer

About Cooperative Energy Futures

Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) is a member-owned cooperative that exists to make clean energy accessible to all. We envision a future where community members own, manage, and use clean energy systems together for the collective benefit of all of us. We believe that while one person can only influence their own energy bills and use, many people acting together can change the entire energy system.

CEF develops and operates community solar gardens, with 13 projects across Minnesota offsetting the electricity needs of more than 1,000 member households, affordable housing solar projects serving low-and-moderate income renters and homeowners, and an energy efficiency program that makes home energy enhancements accessible to traditionally underserved households, including renters, low-income individuals, and others facing barriers to energy efficiency and electrification.

CEF has a particular focus on economic and racial justice, working to ensure that all projects are developed using an economic model that is deeply accessible to members regardless of income or credit and including options available at no upfront cost and net monthly savings, as well as prioritizing workforce equity in the energy industry. CEF uses member participation in our projects to build community wealth and unite and activate members from many different communities around a vision for our energy future that is rooted in community-controlled clean energy.

Primary Purpose

This position plays a primary role in implementing Cooperative Energy Futures’ home energy efficiency programming. The Energy Data Collector will be responsible for identifying, measuring, and assessing opportunities to reduce energy use at residential buildings. They will travel to pre-scheduled residential appointments and conduct in-the-field residential building assessments in Minneapolis, with possible future expansion into other Twin Cities metro communities. The position frequently interacts with program participants, energy analysts, and contractors to fulfill essential duties and responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

● Conduct energy efficiency assessments, interact with participants, perform comprehensive assessment of residences, and conduct energy usage data analysis with provided software and equipment

● Travel to 2-3 pre-scheduled appointments daily

● Assess HVAC systems and insulation; likely required to enter attics, basements, and crawl spaces

● Conduct blower door testing, combustion safety testing, and HVAC duct testing

● Ensure individual quality control and cleanliness in each assessment

● Install energy efficient light bulbs and water-efficient devices (such as showerheads and faucets),

as funding allows

● Collect, track, photograph and submit all data into relevant platforms

● Interact with participants and represent CEF and the program in a professional manner

● Establish rapport with participants, understand their concerns and needs, and act as informal

energy educators through the assessment process, potentially in concert with community

navigators or translators

● Collaborate internally and externally through all phases of the assessment

● Perform regular vehicle safety inspections and ensure regular maintenance is conducted

● Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

● Driver’s License and clean driving record

● Willingness to work a flexible schedule, typically involving 4 workdays, 10 hours per day

● Willingness to pursue BPI Building Analyst Technician Certification, if not already certified

(Certification will be paid by CEF)

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills

● Ability to engage respectfully and communicate clearly with homeowners, landlords, renters,

and contractors

● Basic understanding of building science principles

● Highly organized and detail oriented

● Willingness to learn data collection software

● Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications

● BPI Building Analyst - Technician Certification, or equivalent

● BPI Building Science Principles Certification

● Experience doing home visits

● Experience completing home energy assessments

● Fluency in a second language (especially Spanish, Somali, or Hmong)

Physical Requirements

Ability to complete home energy assessments, which may include: walking, climbing and descending stairs, carrying and utilizing equipment for home energy assessments, which may include ladders, blower doors, etc.

Working Conditions

The Data Collector will be required to complete several weeks of paid training at a partner organization located outside of Minnesota. Training is tentatively scheduled for mid-late May, 2025. CEF will cover travel-related expenses.

After training is completed, work will be performed primarily offsite in residential homes throughout Minneapolis (and may expand to other locations within the Twin Cities area). Some in-office meetings and meetings with local program partners across the Twin Cities may be required.

To Apply:

Submit a Resume and a Written Statement explaining why you are interested in this position to hiring@cooperativeenergyfutures.com. We will send additional follow up questions and interview scheduling to candidates we wish to interview. This position will remain open until filled with a target start by or before May 1, 2025.

Geothermal Program Developer

Start Date: February 2025

FLSA status: Regular full time, exempt

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000 annual salary based on experience

Reports to: General Manager

Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) is a member-owned cooperative business that exists to make clean energy accessible to all. We envision a future where community members own, manage, and use clean energy systems together for the collective benefit of all of us. We believe that while one person can only influence their own energy bills and use, many people acting together can change the entire energy system.

CEF develops and operates community solar gardens, with ten projects across Minnesota offsetting the electricity needs of more than 1,000 member households, affordable housing solar projects serving low-and-moderate income renters and homeowners, and will soon launch an energy efficiency program that makes home energy enhancements accessible to traditionally underserved households, including renters, low-income individuals, and others facing barriers to energy efficiency and electrification.

Primary Purpose:

This position is responsible for organizing a team of expert partners to plan, organize, and launch a new program to pilot district level ground-source (geothermal) heating and cooling systems. These systems will be centered around anchor sites (large buildings with significant thermal load and space to host thermal wells) but also reach surrounding homes and businesses in areas of Minneapolis (and potentially Saint Paul) with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

This role will be focused on utilizing support from the Department of Energy’s Solutions for Lasting, Viable Energy Infrastructure Technologies (SOLVE IT) Prize to build the program, and will require detailed business model development and project management skills and the ability to integrate technical, operational, and financial expertise into one or more well-functioning pilot projects as the seeds for a long-term program.

This role is initially funded for a one-year period focused on pilot project design and establishing operational infrastructure (business model, financing partners, labor and contracting partners, legal agreements, community engagement strategy, and project delivery systems). This position will also evaluate and pursue additional funding sources to sustain this position and expand the program beyond the initial year.

Job Responsibilities

Design a Comprehensive District Geothermal Heating Pilot Implementation Plan

Serve as a visionary and strategic planner to design and eventually execute a program based on existing research, relationships, and a conceptual model designed around accessibility and equity. This will involve creating a business plan, organizing relevant partners, and creating a viable execution timeline to construct one or more networked district ground-source heating/cooling pilot(s) to serve local subscribers, residences, and businesses within one quarter mile of an anchor site(s). Key elements of this work include:

Structuring an optimal ownership structure and financing strategy that aligns the interests of anchor site(s), local governments, community-based organizations, CEF and participating members, and ideally local utilities.
A coordinated capital stack that utilizes existing federal, state, local, and utility incentives.
A technical system design based on heating and cooling loan analysis developed in partnership with geotechnical and system engineering providers.
Assessment of regulatory and permitting hurdles and a plan for resolving them.
A plan for project contracting and workforce.
Coordination with networks of community-based organizations that have been leading engagement efforts with community members around a district ground-source heating and cooling program.

Team Coordination and Project Management Around Plan Development

Coordinate with current and potential partners at Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, Unidos-MN, LIUNA! Minnesota and North Dakota, Community Power, Darcy Solutions, Evergreen Energy, the Building Decarbonization Coalition, and others to design, coordinate, and complete various aspects of program design and preparation.
Serve as primary CEF liaison to the US Department of Energy’s SOLVE IT Prize, participate in learning and capacity-building activities, and tap relevant technical assistance, peer support, and other resources to support program design.
Represent CEF in the Minnesota Thermal Energy Networks (TEN) Working Group, working alongside stakeholders from state and local government, energy utilities, labor, and industry to advance district ground-source energy systems statewide.
Work with other CEF staff to evaluate and plan software, data systems, and operational integrations with other partners and services necessary for the program design.
Work with CEF’s CEO and COO on key program design decision points and capacity building within CEF to prepare for program launch.
Assess and identify other funding sources to enable pilot program deployment and overall program expansion.
Lead CEF’s response to future funding opportunities identified for this program.

Minimum Qualifications:

3 years experience in project and process management, with excellent attention to detail.
Experience in feasibility analysis and business plan development for community-scale energy infrastructure (may include district ground-source heating and cooling, other district energy systems, micro-grids, solar plus storage, or other community-scale energy infrastructure).
Familiarity with existing geothermal programs and services in the Twin Cities and/or experience with best practices from programs nationwide.
Ability to retain and integrate complex and detailed information about geothermal, incentives, and program models to build a cohesive program design.
Must be a reliable, self-motivated individual who can take direction and be trusted to work independently with minimal supervision.
A team player with strong ability to work in a collaborative environment.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex team projects on a timeline.
Commitment to the energy transition, working with community-based organizations, and empowering culturally diverse communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years experience with geothermal/district ground-source heating or cooling program management, contracting, or program evaluation.
Experience with geothermal/district ground-source heating or cooling program management, contracting, or program evaluation.
Experience providing services for rental and owner-occupied housing in low-income communities and communities of color.
Experience or familiarity with construction contracts and public incentive programs.
Experience with meeting facilitation and developing action plans as a group.
Experience working with federal programs or grant management.
Existing relationships with community-based organizations in one or more target communities.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions include a mix of remote and in-office work with occasional off-site meetings with local program partners across the Twin Cities metro area.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY STATEMENT

CEF will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. While not yet mandated by federal or state law, CEF is committed to providing the same protection against discrimination for any employee or applicant because of gender identity. We will take affirmative steps to ensure that all of our company’s employment practices are free of discrimination. Such employment practices include, but are not limited to, the following: hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, selection, layoff, disciplinary action, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities whenever possible.

To Apply:

Submit a Resume and a Written Statement explaining why you are interested in this position to hiring@cooperativeenergyfutures.com. We will send additional follow up questions and interview scheduling to candidates we wish to interview. This position will remain open until filled with a target start by or before February 2025.