Various Internships, Energy Coordinating Agency

Posted by on November 17, 2006

[emailed 11/15/06]

The Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia (ECA) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring that households have access to safe, affordable, and reliable sources of energy and water. The Energy Coordinating Agency collaborates with twelve Neighborhood Energy Centers to provide services that help tens of thousands of low-income households deal with utility debt and rising energy costs. Our primary strategy for accomplishing this is energy conservation. Conservation services are provided free of charge to low-income households through government and utility sponsored programs, and on a fee-for-service basis to the rest of the households in Philadelphia.

We are seeking several interns for the Spring semester. These positions are funded through Work Study and thus are only "paid interships" if the student is eligible for work study funding.

Conservation Training Assistant
ECA is providing 50 energy conservation workshops city-wide for thousands of Philadelphians of all incomes for the City of Philadelphia. The workshops teach participants how to save energy and money by implementing cost-effective energy conservation measures in their own homes and offices. As part of the workshops, ECA educates participants about the importance of sealing drafts to solve comfort problems and the energy saving benefits of installing automatic clock thermostats, insulation and efficient equipment. The intern will assist in all aspects of the workshop: outreach, set up, and training. The students will learn valuable skills in energy conservation, public speaking, and adult education through this process. Coverage by several broadcast media stations has been tentatively scheduled, and the intern will provide logistical support for these visits.

Community and Architectural Liaison
The intern may do any or all of the following:
? Proof construction documents, update changes as projects develop, establish complete documentation of on-site renovations.
? Prepare executive summary statements for internal use.
? Coordinate partner relations through community stakeholders.
? Establish a community information database.
? Maintain ?greening? contacts with the City of Philadelphia

Green Building Assistant
Smart Energy Solutions, a program of the Energy Coordinating Agency, is a provider of weatherization services, energy consulting, and green building certifications for both public and private builders in the Delaware Valley. SES is seeking an architecture student who would like to learn about energy conservation and green building practices. The intern will assist building analysts in the process of evaluating homes for Energy Star and LEED for Homes certification:
? Review initial plans and specifications
? Develop energy models
? Perform on-site building inspections and testing
? Work with builders to define and verify green building practices

Neighborhood Center Liason
The intern will help these centers to improve energy conservation counseling and intake, so they produce greater savings through improved client recruitment and screening. Those households whose income does not qualify them for subsidized programs are encouraged to participate in a City guaranteed loan program for moderate and middle income households. The intern will support to the Programs Director to engage NEC staff in strategic planning for advocacy. They will assist preparation for presentations on energy policy, and communicate these to NEC and ECA staff.

Solar Outreach Associate
ECA administers the Philadelphia Million Solar Roofs Partnership, a coalition of more than 20 organizations dedicated to the development of solar energy in the Delaware Valley region. The intern may do any or all of the following:
? Oversee use of the ?Solar House on Wheels?.
? Publicize energy solar hot water installation workshops, recruit workshop participants, and strengthen education referral networks with trade, educational, and technical assistance associations.
? Develop articles and press releases.
? Update information on ECA?s internet web site (<a href="http://www.phillysolar.org">http://www.phillysolar.org</a>), addressing new projects, upcoming trainings, festivals, and tours.

For more information and to apply, contact:
Energy Coordinating Agency
1924 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-0929
<a href="http://www.ecasavesenergy.org">http://www.ecasavesenergy.org</a>