Program Associate - SDREN

OPEN POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT!

Program Associate

Open until filled.

Posted 04/23/2026 San Diego County - hybrid work schedule set by Community Power

ABOUT THE ROLE:The Program Associate supports the implementation of a range of customer energy programs, primarily through the San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN). This role, under direction and support from senior staff, will assume responsibility for more than one aspect of program development, delivery and management, and contribute to several other aspects including goal setting, budget development/management, process development, program marketing and enrollment, regulatory reporting (if necessary) and stakeholder engagement. The Program Associate may coordinate programmatic activities with consultants and collaborate with internal project teams.

This role will be reporting to a Senior Program Manager.

WHO IS COMMUNITY POWER?

Community Power is a community-driven, not-for-profit public agency providing cleaner energy to the San Diego region. Formed in 2019, Community Power is the second largest Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) in California, serving nearly 1 million customer accounts across its member agencies: the Cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa and National City, as well as the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

OUR HISTORY

Community Power was formed in 2019 as a public, not-for-profit community choice aggregator (CCA) in the San Diego region. We began electric service in 2021 and now serve seven member agencies: the Cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa and National City, as well as the unincorporated communities of San Diego County. Community Power was formed to bring local control and customer choice to San Diego while also providing clean and renewable energy at competitive rates. We are the second largest CCA in California, serving nearly 1 million customers. For more information, please visit SDCommunityPower.org.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

At Community Power, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We represent a diverse customer base and hope to hire employees that reflect our communities. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• With oversight from senior staff, develop standard operating procedures, review, process and seek opportunities for efficiencies and improvements.

• Support senior staff withthe coordination, management and implementation ofcustomer-facing programsby working closely with Community Power staff, the Community Advisory Committee, consultants, stakeholders, and other partner agencies.

• Support senior staff with aspects of project planning and scoping including collaborating on budgeting, procurement, staffing, scheduling and metrics development.

• Support senior staff with developing and conducting requests for proposals and negotiating, implementing and managing contracts.

• Coordinate independently with industry, consultants, customers and other stakeholders involved in program delivery and implementation.

• In coordination with the Public Affairs team, lead aspects of program-relatedcommunity outreach and education initiatives including making presentations tostakeholders and community groups and coordinating event logistics.

• Assist in a broad variety of program-related data collection, organization and analysis. Prepare progress reports on a regular basis and clearly communicate updates to senior staff.

• Work closely with the SDREN team to maintain program management tools and createprogrammatic tracking reports and dashboards.

• Monitor program progress in assigned program area(s) relative to goals and make recommendations for improved program delivery.

• Field inquiriesfrom the public and industry to answer program-specific questions and/or refer to the appropriate staff.

• Supportthe drafting of staff reports and presentations for Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee meetings.

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Experience in or interest in supporting the implementation of programs in one of the following areas: energy efficiency, building decarbonization, demand response, and distributed energy resources (DERs).

• Strong commitment to sustainability, community energy and mission driven work.

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization and in our communities to build program accessibility and participation, including Community Power’s Communities of Concern.

• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of environmental justice and equity principles.

• Knowledge and basic understanding of the CCA business model.

• Establish effective and cooperative working relationships with customers, local businesses, community groups, consultants, interested stakeholders, officials of municipalities, agencies, special districts and other related agencies.

• Positive, collaborativeand supportive team member that isexcited to work with diverse teams and communities.

• Ability to work independently,strong organizational skills and demonstrated goal settingand self-management to supportmultiple assignments concurrently.

• Strong work ethic and comfortable taking responsibility, initiative and working in a dynamic, fast spaced, public agency environment.

• Strong communicator who can write and present compellingly and clearly.

• Ability to take and provide critical feedback in constructive ways.

• Strong critical thinking skills including a high tolerance for uncertainty and the ability to identify issues and propose solutions.