Retrofit Accelerator Coach

JOB TITLE: RETROFIT ACCELERATOR COACH

LOCATION: Calgary or Edmonton, or potential for remote placement

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation

Alberta Ecotrust is a registered charity created through a unique partnership between the corporate sector and the environmental community in 1991. Leading boldly ever since, our programs have expanded to build bridges across sectors, communities, and cultures, focus on solutions and skills, and financially support hundreds of high impact environmental organizations, programs, and projects across Alberta.

We increasingly utilize a co-benefits approach to ecosystem challenges, looking for outcomes that also include cleaner air, job creation in new economies, public health benefits, and energy-efficient affordable housing. Beyond grants, we are mobilizing and financing pathways to a sustainable, low carbon future. Our environmental priorities include:

Nature-based Solutions & Conservation
Climate Resilience & Emissions Reduction
Circular Economy

Alberta Ecotrust respectfully acknowledges that our programs are delivered across the province of Alberta, comprising Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 territory, the traditional lands of First Nations and Métis Peoples. We increasingly utilize a multi-solving approach to ecosystem challenges and pathways to a low carbon future and are committed to creating a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for all people interested in applying for our positions.

The Retrofit Accelerator Coach plays a key role on Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Programs Team in launching the tactical operations of the retrofit accelerator (RA).

The RA is a new development that will serve as a Centre of Excellence for industry that strengthens the public, private, and civic capacities for deep energy retrofits in Calgary, Edmonton and throughout Alberta. Over the next 4 years, the RA will be developed in partnership and collaboration with industry, government, and other key stakeholders. Over the long-term, it is our vision that the RA will be a catalytic, amplifying member of the Alberta-based ecosystem of actors and community of practice that exchanges knowledge of how to accelerate the adoption of deep energy retrofits.

We are looking for someone who is a passionate advocate for climate solutions, green buildings, and industry. All team members at Alberta Ecotrust care deeply about securing resources for environmental and climate solutions, love to work across sectoral boundaries, and are committed to thinking outside the box in finding collective solutions to complex and urgent challenges.

Your goal in this position is to support implementation of the RA specifically through coaching support to the MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals), MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building), and commercial building sectors to identify and undertake retrofits. Specific concierge services will include support for all phases of the customer journey. The position will also develop, monitor, continuously improve and report on the RA. Your role will help build capacity in the building industry to advance deep energy retrofits.

Applying your subject matter knowledge in deep energy retrofits, combined with your skills in capacity building, facilitation, collaboration, research, financial analysis, program administration and reporting, your work will help build capacity and relationships across the sector.

This position is responsible for the following:

Application of modernized infrastructure for project origination and opportunity identification (e.g. Audette decarbonization road mapping) in the affordable housing sector, MUSH and market based MURBS sectors, and commercial building sector.
Initial business case development and uncovering the hidden value for clients.
Co-create, with the client, decarbonization roadmaps outlining a staged and phased approach to achieving net zero that is aligned with asset rehabilitation and renewal plans.
Offer feasibility study support which may include financial support for audits or pre-engineering studies as well as project management assistance.
Facilitate access to and structuring of funding and financing.
Decision making support with boards, owners, stakeholders.
Deploy, when practical, volume-based strategies, and group purchasing strategies to reduce costs.
Assist in advising on contractor selection resources and foster a trade ally network.
Provide templates and advice on standardized project delivery and procurement.
Assist with high level project management to ensure projects are aligned with the intended outcomes.
Assist with planning and coordinating project delivery with clients.
Provide guidance and advice on monitoring, verification, and quality assurance.
Assist with designing and implementing approaches to support equity, diversity, and inclusion for the RA.
Assist with designing and implementing approaches to support Indigenous partners and communities in the RA.
Participate in ongoing internal work at AEF on equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous communities and partners.
Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop a training and educational consortium with different providers across Alberta to help support, expand, and amplify their offerings related to deep energy retrofits.
Represent RA (and in turn Alberta Ecotrust) at public events and in programs and initiatives with partners and collaborators.
Support administration and reporting related to external grant, and other Alberta Ecotrust reporting requirements.
Research and continual environmental scanning to inform future programming.
Collaborate with the Communications Team to synthesize, organize, and elevate various inputs and initiatives including (not limited to): training, events, podcasts, webinars, video content, case studies, studies, general sector information.
In collaboration with the communications team establish and ensure effective CRM usage including use of communication and query tools for building marketing lists and crafting messaging for emails and text messaging platforms.
Maintain accurate and complete files to ensure reporting is accurate and audit ready.
Contribute ideas and expertise to strategic discussions.

Skills and Expertise

You will report directly to the Retrofit Accelerator Senior Program Manager, and you will frequently collaborate with the Communications Team as well as the rest of the Alberta Ecotrust team. Alberta Ecotrust’s head office is in Calgary; however, the successful candidate can be located in either Calgary or Edmonton, or potentially a remote placement.

A successful candidate will possess the following skills and expertise:

Post-secondary education in environmental studies, energy management, engineering, building science, business, finance, economics, public policy, or a similar discipline.
5 or more years of experience that include time managing complex, multi-year programs or projects, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Experience and expertise with deep energy retrofits and emissions neutral buildings. This includes experience with construction management, energy auditing, building energy systems and energy management, retrofit planning, renovation and/or building design, and monitoring & verification of energy cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions.
Previous experience in energy benchmarking would be an asset.
Experience in client relationship management, coaching, or facilitation.
Experience related to these activities in one or more of the following building sectors: MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals), MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building), and commercial buildings.
A working knowledge of non-profit organizations and operations would be an asset.
Direct experience or general exposure to network development, event planning, capacity building, material or curriculum development, webinar hosting, technical material development.
Financial acumen and understanding of the relevant metrics utilized in business case development in the field of energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, development, etc.
Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to translate complex concepts to support RA client journeys.
Experience/good aptitude for various software and other technologies.
Excellent skills in data reduction, analysis, and presentation.
Attention to detail.
Excellent administrative skills including organizing, meeting logistics, committee communications.
Familiarity with social innovation approaches and how to apply them for the purposes of improving outcomes.

Workplace Culture & Position Location

Alberta Ecotrust provides a flexible schedule and an inclusive, positive, and collaborative team culture. A hybrid model is employed at Alberta Ecotrust with flexible office hours combined with remote working. Travel between Calgary and Edmonton and occasionally throughout the province will be required as part of this position.

In Calgary, we have a casual workplace in a heritage building with lots of meeting space, a full kitchen, great access to transit, local restaurants, and the downtown core. In Edmonton, we have a co-working space with individual workspaces, meetings, and collaborative spaces when needed. Our staff are extremely motivated to make a difference, and you’ll be part of an innovative team that gets to do interesting, meaningful work aligned with their shared values and desire to improve the world.

Remuneration

This is a full-time temporary position (till 31st March 2027) with a 35-hour work week, a competitive salary of $70,000-$85,000 per year, commensurate with experience, plus paid health benefits, three weeks vacation, and a Christmas break. The position is eligible for a 37.5-hour work week, where the employee will work 7.5 hours a day to earn every third Friday off with pay. The position can be extended depending on funding availability for the retrofit program.

How to Apply

1. Submit your application to Alberta Ecotrust via our online recruitment system by midnight on October 18, 2024.

2. Please provide a cover letter and resume via the online system.

3. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed four pages.

Alberta Ecotrust is an equal opportunity employer that strives to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, people with disabilities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing n.ludwig@albertaecotrust.com.