About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low‑income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high‑growth non‑profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service learning opportunities; and low‑income solar policy advocacy.
Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. Our Mission: to build community‑powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.
What it’s like to work at GRID… At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well‑being of all of our team members.
Summary of the role
GRID Alternatives Southern California regions’ Riverside, CA office, which serves Riverside, San Bernardino, and Inyo Counties, is seeking a PAID Community Engagement and Data Intern to assist with community engagement and educate residents about energy efficiency and energy assistance programs. Work will be mainly performed in the Mecca and North Shore communities, with occasional trips to GRID’s Inland Empire office in Riverside.
This is a PAID INTERNSHIP with GRID Alternatives intended for interns to gain valuable experience in the solar and non‑profit industry, helping launch their career while making significant contributions to GRID Alternatives and the Coachella Valley community.
What you will be doing (essential responsibilities)
- Help promote community awareness of GRID Alternatives and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) work, mission and programs by researching, attending and potentially speaking at community meetings and other events.
- Implement outreach strategies including, but not limited to, marketing efforts, mailers, canvassing, attending community events, and workshops to increase the number of low‑income clients served in regional counties.
- Support GRID Alternatives with collecting stories, quotes and photos to be used to further promote GRID programs.
- Cross‑train with other GRID departments to gain and utilize full knowledge of the project process.
- Assist with administrative work, data entry, file management, in Excel, MS Teams, and our CRM database (Salesforce).
- Communicate and coordinate with clients, partners and other departments for relevant information regarding projects.
- Gather and organize documents and data for greenhouse gas analysis for GRID Alternatives, and partners.
- Other internship duties as assigned.
Your areas of knowledge and expertise
Priority will be given to candidates who reside within the Coachella Valley area. Strong computer skills (MS Office, especially Excel, databases, Gmail/Google apps a plus). Comfortable working with large data sets, reading and interpreting graphs/data. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to relate and work with diverse populations and GRID staff. Self‑starter, highly reliable, accountable, detail‑oriented and able to work independently. Strong teamwork, organizational, multi‑tasking, and decision‑making skills. Passion for GRID’s mission related to renewable energy, community development, green jobs, and/or helping families and communities in need.
It would be great if you also had
Previous experience with GRID Alternatives whether through volunteering, interning, client etc. Experience in customer service and/or community engagement. Bilingual/Bi‑literate in Spanish and English.
Important to note for California applicants
Hired CA candidates must be able to pass a screening for drugs that are illegal in the state of California, including: amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates, and PCP.
Reasonable accommodation for job seekers with a disability
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: RECRUITING@GRIDALTERNATIVES.ORG
Ready to apply?
Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted.
GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization’s equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.
