While most of us have become accustomed to higher energy prices, this latest spike has been pretty ugly. I haven’t seen any gas prices starting with a 5 yet, but I’ve seen a few come dangerously close. The situation for home energy doesn’t appear to be quite as dire right now, but it all adds up (and it’s May when most of us turn our heaters off and haven’t yet turned our air conditioners on). Energy costs keep increasing as a percentage of household budgets, and this has an especially negative effect on low-income families and individuals. GRID Alternatives is an Oakland, CA based non-profit organization that is trying to fix this problem. They “empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training.” Not only are they helping people manage and lower energy costs, but they’re also creating jobs and training people to fill these jobs.

Get on the GRID

GRID Alternatives was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis. I don’t know for sure, but that seems like it was about 6 or 7 energy crises ago. I find organizations like GRID Alternatives really exciting because they’re able to address a number of very different problems through a group of closely connected programs. GRID Alternatives’ core program is called the Solar Affordable Housing Program. It focuses on training and leading “teams of job trainees and other community members to install solar electric systems for low-income families throughout California.” They’re taking on pollution, poverty, and unemployment all at once. If you want to be a part of that mission, then you should check out jobs at GRID Alternatives. Right now they have a few positions that should interest new or recent grads including Outreach Coordinator (Chico, CA), Outreach Coordinator (Carson, CA), Americorps VISTA (IE): Outreach and Program Associate (Inland Empire, CA), Americorps VISTA (IE): Volunteer and Training Associate (Inland Empire, CA), Americorps VISTA (NV): Outreach and Program Associate (Chico, CA), Americorps VISTA (NV): Volunteer and Training Associate (Chico, CA), Americorps VISTA: Volunteer and Outreach Associate (San Luis Obispo, CA), LISC AmeriCorps Outreach and Program Associate at GRID Alternatives (Oakland, CA). Take a look and see what interests you.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• GRIDAlternatives.org
• Jobs at GRID Alternatives
• About GRID Alternatives
• GRID Alternatives’ Staff
• GRID Alternatives’ Programs
• GRID Alternatives in the News

What have you heard about GRID Alternatives?

We've identified GRID Alternatives as having career opportunities in the following categories:

• all employers
• California
• community development
• energy
• environmental
• green
• non-profit
• outdoors
• program development
• solar
• sustainability
• training

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