John Arigoni, Veterans City Canopy Program Manager
john [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Don “Rocky” Basler, Interim CEO
Veteran (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
rocky [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Zack Bazzi, Mid-Atlantic Programs Director
Veteran, Sergeant, US Army
zack [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Ryan Borchers, Veterans Green Corps Project Developer
ryan [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Tamar Ellentuck, Executive Director San Luis Valley Weatherization Program
tamar [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

John Geffre, Enterprise Team
Veteran – Captain, US Army, Aviation Pilot
jgeffre [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Linda Lidov, Direction of Communications
linda [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Vickie Miller, Office Manager
Veteran – US Army Military Police
vickie [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Garett Reppenhagen, Director of Veteran Development
Veteran – Specialist, US Army, Calvary Scout/Sniper
garett [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Jo Schantz, Senior Director of Communications and Resource Development
jo [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Chuck Watkins, Executive Director Denver/Jefferson Counties Weatherization Program
Veteran – Captain, US Army
chuck [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Tara Williams, Senior Director of Finance and Administration
tara [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Andre Winn, Veteran Development Associate, IT
Veteran – Sergeant, US Air Force, Fire Officer, Teacher
andre [at] vgj-denverjeffco [dot] org

Board of Directors

Graeme Bicknell — (Active Duty Veteran) Assistant Professor, Army Master of Social Work
Program, US Army Medical Department, Center and School, San Antonio, Texas

Harry Bruell — Chief Executive Officer and President, Southwest Conservation Corps

William Doe, PhD — (Veteran) Associate Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University

Elizabeth Hawkins — Executive Director, ONE Freedom

Gaia Mika, PhD — Retired Staff Psychologist for the University of Colorado at Boulder

Demond Mullins — (Veteran) Former Iraq Infantry. Currently pursing a PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center, New York

Mit Parsons, Ed.D — (Veteran) Retired Wildlife and Fisheries Ecologist, USDA Forest Service

Deb Porter, JD — Fairfield and Woods

Gail Schwartz — Colorado State Senator, District 5

Ken Elliott — Viridian Partners, Director of Remediation and Site Management

Click Here for Boardmember Biographies

Advisory Council

Steve Baden — Executive Director, Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Steve Byers — CEO, Energy Logic

General Wesley Clark (Ret.) — Former NATO Allied Supreme Commander

James Woolsey — Retired Director, Central Intelligence Agency

Bill Holmberg — American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Chair National Biomass Committee

Jo Kierns — Executive Director, Green Mechanical Council

John Lee — Director of Veterans Affairs, Washington

Steve Siegel — Vice President, Energy and Security Group

Albert Thumann — Executive Director, Association of Energy Engineers

Join the Team

If you want your efforts to truly make a difference for veterans, the environment and the economy, then Veterans Green Jobs is the place for you.

Empowering veterans to transition to civilian life by meeting our nation’s most pressing land conservation needs

Click the links below for more information

• Job descriptions in Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming
• How do I get started? - the application process
• Success story: The Warrior Spirit
• VGC brochure for downloading and printing
• Shuree Cabin Restoration
• Praise for VGC from the Bureau of Land Management
• In the News

VGC crew members on a forest-thinning project

Veterans Green Corps is a collaborative initiative of Denver, Colorado-based Veteran Green Jobs and conservation corps organizations throughout the U.S. We empower recently returning veterans to transition to civilian life by leveraging their leadership experience, strong work ethic and team approach to meet  conservation needs on public lands. At Veterans Green Corps, we supply the gear and the training vets supply the human-power and dedication needed to protect and preserve our nation’s public lands.

Conservation.
Eight-person Veterans Green Corps crews conduct land conservation and stewardship projects such as: fire hazard reduction trail maintenance and construction campground improvements fence installation/removal re-vegetation and preservation noxious weed control watershed restoration monitoring/data gathering and mapping volunteer management

A Veterans Green Corps cohort located in Southwestern Colorado.

Connection.
Veterans Green Corps offers a unique opportunity  for recently  returned vets to reconnect with fellow soldiers and make new connections with the outdoors. Our members gain valuable experience through employment projects that promote personal growth, the development of social skills and an ethic of natural resource stewardship ó while taking an active role to serve our country in meaningful new ways.

Collaboration.
Veterans Green Corps conservation work is focused on protecting and preserving our public lands. Done in cooperation with national forests, national parks, the Bureau of Land Management, and state and local government agencies, these projects are an opportunity to†take care of our national treasures while working alongside other veterans with common goals.  Veterans Green Corps currently has  programs in Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, and we are expanding our reach into other parts of the country.  We are now recruiting veterans to join us as crew leaders and crew members.

This is Tough Work!

Our members:

• Are diverse young men and women veterans (typically 20-30 years old) recently returned from service (within four years).
• Are physically able and up for a physically demanding challenge.
• Are willing to live remotely outdoors and camp in all weather conditions for a week or more at a time.
• Are guided by professional veteran and/or civilian leaders.
• Earn a stipend/wage and receive education and development.
• Are interested in pursuing educational and professional development opportunities in natural resources or other outdoor fields.
• Complete important projects to meet public land agency needs.

Who is eligible:
All honorably discharged veterans
Veterans with a DD 214 or paperwork showing current military status
Veterans with all levels of experience

Contact us today to apply!

vgc [at] veteransgreenjobs.org

June 7, 2009

by Joe Hanel

Call of duty: Vets go green
Program gives forestry jobs to returning troops

GOLDEN – “Cut and run” used to be an insult wielded against opponents of the Iraq war. But this summer in Southwest Colorado, eight military veterans will proudly employ the tactic in service to their country. They will be clearing trees in the backcountry, using what Harry Bruell of the Southwest Conservation Corps calls a “cut and run” technique.

“It’s hard work. It’s remote. They go through, they cut, they camp, get up in the morning, keep going,” Bruell said. It’s work at which disciplined, self-motivated veterans such as Ray Curry can excel.

“You’re always going to get wet. You’re always going to get cold. It’s a mental thing. But there’s a sense of camaraderie,” said Curry, a Marine Corps veteran from Annapolis, Md., who will be part of the crew.

Curry is one of the first graduates of Veterans Green Jobs, a training program that ended its first class last week. Three of those graduates are headed to Southwest Colorado to work on forest-health projects. Organizers plan to take the idea national by next year.

The eight-man crew in Southwest Colorado will start in the Rio Grande National Forest. Other crews will work in the San Juan National Forest this fall, possibly in Dolores County, Bruell said.

The crew will work 11 days on and four days off for eight weeks, said crew member Nick Morgan, a former Army Reservist who served in Iraq. “We’re really looking forward to it. It’s my natural habitat,” said Morgan, who already looks the part of a mountain man with his bushy black beard.

Morgan, Curry and 13 others graduated Wednesday from the Home Energy Audit Training class, designed and run by Veterans Green Jobs. The class spent most of its time in the San Luis Valley, getting on-the-job training in upgrading homes to be more energy efficient.

Members of the first graduating class will stay with Veterans Green Jobs to be “missionaries” to other classes around the country, said Brett KenCairn, CEO of the nonprofit. Most future graduates will be placed with private firms in either energy-efficiency or land-conservation work.

Home-energy auditing jobs are hot because of the federal stimulus bill, which has $70 million in funding for upgrades of Colorado houses. Curry calls the Conservation Corps his “dream job” and plans to stay with it. “Living sustainably is a passion of mine,” he said.

The veterans see the work – creating energy independence, cleaning up the environment – as an extension of their military service.

Garett Reppenhagen was a sniper in the 1st Infantry Division. Now he is the regional program director for Veterans Green Jobs. He compared the graduates with the Knights of the Round Table, who swore allegiance to a cause greater than themselves.

“These heroes have stepped forward to claim their contemporary quest,” Reppenhagen said. “They’re entering a time when we need champions. The damage we have already inflicted on our climate is severe.”

KenCairn, the founder, isn’t a veteran. He worked in the Pacific Northwest to find sustainable careers for unemployed loggers, and he came up with the Veterans Green Jobs idea three years ago after hearing a radio report about Iraq veterans who couldn’t find work at home.

The idea took off after a big investment from the Wal-Mart Foundation. By the end of the year, KenCairn hopes to have 60 to 70 graduates.

“By 2010, we’ll be in at least eight states and serving hundreds of veterans,” KenCairn said.

Historically, veterans have had a hard time finding work in the civilian world. The Veterans Administration estimates 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night.

Gov. Bill Ritter gave the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, which was held at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. Ritter said the veterans will be helping the country create a new way of producing and consuming energy.

“It is a future that will come over time and will come somewhat gradually, but it’s good to be at the head of it,” Ritter said.

The governor also announced that Veterans Green Jobs will help run a demonstration project in energy-efficiency training, in partnership with the state, NREL and the Department of Energy. “This is the first national training center, and it’s going to be right here in Colorado,” Ritter said.

Richard Knaub, director of education for Veterans Green Jobs, developed the home-energy training class and has sent the curriculum to community colleges around the country. The classes are hands-on and less focused on book learning, much like military training, he said.

The first class was the best group of students he’s had in his teaching career, Knaub said. “They all had open minds. They were willing to ask questions and explore new ideas,” he said.

During home-energy audits in the San Luis Valley, the veterans found nonenergy problems with homes, such as the lack of a ramp at a disabled person’s house and poor sewage in a young couple’s house. Instead of ignoring the problems, they found local charities or government agencies to help.

“These are people who can solve problems on the fly. They are people who can figure things out,” Knaub said. “They don’t say, ‘That’s not in my job description.’ They don’t say, ‘We didn’t learn that.’”

Contact:
Kirsten Maynard
415-350-4147
kirsten [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

VETERANS GREEN JOBS ACADEMY™ GRADUATION HONORS FIRST TEAM OF VETERAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROFESSIONALS READY FOR DEPLOYMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter to Deliver Commencement Address to Veterans Green Jobs Graduates on June 2nd at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO

BOULDER, CO – June 1, 2009 – The first team of veteran energy efficiency professionals will graduate from the Veterans Green Jobs Academy™ Home Energy Auditor Training (HEAT) Program on June 2, 2009 at a celebration event to be held at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. In his Commencement Address, the Honorable Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will congratulate the Veterans Green Jobs Academy participants on their dedication to moving our country toward energy independence through the pursuit of ‘green’ careers that will benefit all Americans.

“I’m extremely proud to take part in this graduation ceremony and to welcome these heroic veterans to the New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “By equipping military veterans with new training and new skills today, we are adding a vital new dimension to the workforce of tomorrow. Thanks to programs like Veterans Green Jobs, we are creating a new energy future for America and positioning Colorado for a strong economic recovery and a sustainable future.”

The 15 graduates of this HEAT program represent all branches of the military and all regions of the country. They have successfully completed a rigorous eight-week training program to gain skills in environmental studies, energy efficiency and conservation and weatherization. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy also helps veterans retool for meaningful green careers in land conservation and restoration, green building and retrofitting, disaster preparedness and response, and urban forestry. The Academy is a unique hybrid of classroom and on-the-job training designed to move the experienced, disciplined military veteran through their transition from duty overseas to meaningful work and future careers serving America here at home.

“Veterans Green Jobs is working to mobilize a highly-skilled population to lead the revival of a national service ethic to address our most pressing problems,” said Brett KenCairn. “That includes setting a standard so that green jobs in this country offer a true living wage, job security, and the knowledge that one’s work in green industries is leading to energy independence, ecological restoration, community renewal and economic prosperity for all Americans.”

With a wide consortium of partners, Veterans Green Jobs (http://veteransgreenjobs.org) developed the curriculum to provide veterans interested in green careers with the opportunity to gain general environmental education, college credits and a nationally recognized home energy auditing and weatherization certifications. This intensive training and rapid deployment model was designed to meet the growing consumer demand for experts to help lower residential energy consumption as well as the goals set by the Obama administration to conduct stimulus-funded energy surveys and audits on low-income homes.

“As Marine veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and someone who has been active in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy for the last several decades, I am honored to support Veterans Green Jobs in strengthening America’s national, energy, homeland, environmental and economic security – all geared to the source and cost of energy, its impact on climate change, new industry development, and jobs. ACORE is proud to be working with Veterans Green Jobs because we see veterans’ skills, leadership and active involvement in these critical challenges as key to advancing the security and sustainability of the American Society,” said Bill Holmberg of the American Council On Renewable Energy.

Generously supported by a diverse array of individuals and organizations, including the Wal-Mart Foundation, Veterans Green Jobs is working to expand its Academy training programs into 5-10 additional states in 2009, and hopes to be in all 50 states as soon as possible in order to increase access to training and resources for veterans nationwide.

About Veterans Green Jobs
Veterans Green Jobs (http://veteransgreenjobs.org) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization pioneering an unprecedented national initiative that offers concrete solutions for three of the most urgent issues of our time: rebuilding a sustainable green economy; reversing deteriorating environmental conditions and mitigating climate change threats; and reengaging our nation’s nearly 2 million military veterans in need of meaningful new careers. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy™ provides job training and placement opportunities for military veterans in emerging green industries, and connects veterans with a wide range of complimentary resources to assist with re-establishing themselves in civilian communities and careers.

# # #

VETERANS GREEN JOBS TO PARTICIPATE IN MIDDLE CLASS TASK FORCE CHAIRED BY VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ON TUESDAY MAY 26, 2009

“Building a Strong Middle Class Through a Green Economy” Town-Hall will Incorporate Veterans’ Perspectives on Realizing the Full Potential of Green Jobs and Raising Living Standards in America

BOULDER, CO – May 25, 2009 – The Boulder-based nonprofit organization Veterans Green Jobs will participate in the fourth meeting of the Middle Class Task Force in Denver, CO. Vice President Joe Biden will moderate the town-hall discussion – held at the Denver Museum of Natural Science – focused on green jobs and training.

Vice President Biden Thanks VGJ Trainees After Middle Class Task Force Town Hall Meeting in Denver, CO - 26 May 2009

Four of upcoming graduates of the Veterans Green Jobs Academy™ will share their personal stories as veterans being trained to serve their country under a new mission: to green America. White House Middle Class Task Force, Chaired by Vice President Biden, is a major initiative targeted at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America. Veterans Green Jobs is at the center of many issues of importance to the MCTF, including green technology innovations, living wage green jobs, and deploying a trained workforce to address issues of economy and environment that affect America.

Taking place at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Tuesday, May 26, the public event titled “Building a Strong Middle Class Through a Green Economy” will build on previous events focused on how to realize the full potential of the green jobs movement in America. The military service members representing Veterans Green Jobs will share their perspectives and personal stories on the importance of utilizing veterans – a national field-tested workforced dedicated to serving this country – as a leadership resource in spearheading green industries and implementing enviromental initiatives ranging from energy conservation to tree planting and wildfire mitigation.

The VGJ Team Meets With Labor Secretary Solis at Middle Class Task Force Town Hall Meeting in Denver, CO - 26 May 2009

Speaking at the town-hall event will be U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis; U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan; U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; and Deputy U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Poneman. Veterans Green Jobs’ participants include Michael Flaherty, an Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq; Tom Cassidy, an Army veteran who served in Kosovo and Iraq; Andre Winn, an Air Force Medic; and Garett Reppenhagen, an Army veteran who served in Kosovo and Iraq.

About Veterans Green Jobs
Veterans Green Jobs (http://veteransgreenjobs.org) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization pioneering an unprecedented national initiative to implement concrete solutions for three of the most urgent issues of our time: rebuilding a sustainable green economy; reversing deteriorating environmental conditions and mitigating climate change threats; and reengaging our nation’s nearly 2 million military veterans in need of meaningful new careers. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy™ provides job training and placement opportunities for military veterans in emerging green industries, and connects veterans with a wide range of complimentary resources to assist with re-establishing themselves in civilian communities and careers. Veterans Green Jobs is generously supported by a diverse array of individuals and organizations, including the Wal-Mart Foundation.

# # #

Press Contact:
Kirsten Maynard
415-350-4147
kirsten [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

General Inquiries:
866-984-8459
info [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Positions are now open for Conservation Crew Members, Fuels Reduction Crew Members, Crew Leaders and Program Specialists. Details and online application are available through the Southwest Conservation Corps website: http://sccorps.org/jobs/veterans-green-corps/

Veterans Green Corps Activities

Veteran Crew in San Luis Valley, CO - April 2009

The Veterans Green Corps completes outdoor conservation projects on public lands throughout Colorado and the Four Corners area, which also includes parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Projects focus on trail construction and maintenance in non-remote and remote locations. When working in remote areas, locations may be up to 15 miles in the backcountry. Crews are to camp and live at their work site for 10 days at a time, followed by 4 days off. Crews will consist of 6 Corpsmembers and 2 Crew Leaders. While in the field, crews will be responsible for preparing and cooking their own meals, as well as other jobs required for living in the outdoors.

This Corps has been designed exclusively for military veterans over the age of 21 and focuses on the transition from service in the military to service in public land stewardship and local communities. Participants receive a weekly stipend and education and training that concentrates on gaining conservation skills and career development services for veterans interested in pursuing further employment opportunities in land management. Any individual that successfully completes this program will have the opportunity to continue working in the conservation field or move onto into other opportunities focused on developing skills needed for employment in the rapidly emerging green jobs field.

Join the Veterans Green Corps

We have immediate openings for approximately 30 veterans in the Veterans Green Corps. The Veterans Green Corps will open opportunities for veterans wishing to transition into the green jobs industry in the field of wilderness preservation, restoration and public land management. Veterans have a long and distinguished history of working in public lands management, which is one of the many green jobs fields that will grow significantly in coming months as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Please apply today. Crews will be selected beginning now through the first week of May. 2009.

Veteran Crew Leader near Bluff, UT - April 2009

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: OPERATIONS & ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR
Application Deadline: May 10th, 2009. Applications will be processed as they are received and the position will remain open until filled.

About Veterans Green Jobs
Veterans Green Jobs is an unprecedented national initiative that offers creative and concrete solutions for three of the most urgent issues of our time: the rebuilding of a sustainable green economy; reversing deteriorating environmental conditions and climate change threats; and our country’s need to serve the returned or returning military veterans who deserve meaningful new careers. VGJ’s core program is the Veterans Green Jobs Academy, which partners with community colleges, nonprofits and industry partners to provide training opportunities for military veterans in the emerging green-collar jobs sector. In addition, VGJ connects veterans with a wide range of complimentary resources to assist with military transitions. VGJ represents a new form of veteran service organization that engages veterans and non-veterans alike towards the common goal of building a more sustainable future. By supporting both veterans and the development of a green economy, the VGJ’s work is restorative to our veterans, our economy and our planet. VGJ is a national NGO, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

Program Description: Veterans Green Jobs Academy
VGJ, in collaboration with a broad consortium of partners, has launched a national Green Jobs Academy to support returning military veterans to become leaders in the rapidly emerging green jobs industry through cutting-edge training programs. VGJ’s Veterans Green Jobs Academy provides both classroom-based and on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities in a range of fields including renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, historic building restoration, and disaster preparedness, response and reconstruction. Academy programs will launch in a variety of states in 2009, including Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana. We anticipate VGJ Training Programs available in up to 10 states in 2009, and up to 20 states in 2010.

Position Overview
The Operations & Admissions Coordinator will work with the Director of Programs, Director of Education and other team members to design and manage systems for office management, outreach to veterans and admissions to the Veterans Green Jobs Academy. Previous experience in business or non-profit administration and/or educational admissions strongly preferred, however demonstrated organizational skills and self-motivation will be considered. The Operations & Admissions Coordinator is not expected to be an expert in all aspects of nonprofit/educational administration but must be capable of effectively working with and coordinating consultant specialists—bookkeeping, legal, human resources, etc.

Skills and Abilities

• Office management
• Familiarity with college admissions processes
• Computer skills—(MS Office Suite, databases (Salesforce preferred), Mac and PC computers, Content Management Systems, etc.)
• Volunteer coordination
• Comfort with basic financial management
• Internal organizational communications
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education

Personal Traits Necessary for Success

• Detail oriented and extremely organized
• Well-developed interpersonal skills to interface with colleagues, partners, program participants, donors, etc.
• Flexible and adaptive; able to multitask and prioritize
• Good team member
• Innovative, capable of creative problem solving
• Sense of humor (required)

Salary and Benefits
First year salary will be in the range of $30,000-$35,000 full-time plus benefits package (health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, comp time, etc.). Opportunities for advancement of wage, title and responsibilities are anticipated. The VGJ team is a dynamic, diverse and committed group of individuals who seeks not only to improve the world we live in and the lives of returning veterans, but also to model a sustainable, green organization.

Application Process
Please send cover letter, résumé, and references will contact information to team [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org and include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. No phone calls please. Application Deadline: May 10, 2009. Interviews with promising candidates will take place on rolling basis and position will remain open until filled.

We are looking for thoughtful, personalized cover letters that demonstrate your qualifications and writing style. Please explain why you are inspired to work with Veterans Green Jobs and how you would apply your experience to this position. No phone calls, please.

VGJ is an equal opportunity employer.

VGJ Staff Retreat January 2009 - Crestone, CO

Application Deadline: March 29th, 2009. Applications will be processed as they are received and the position will remain open until filled.

Position Overview

This newly created senior position oversees all Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) program activities. The Director of Programs supervises state and regional program staff and coordinates the VGJ Management Team. Veterans Green Jobs is a rapidly growing organization; the Director of Programs ensures the quality and sound management of current programs while integrating new opportunities as they are identified. The position reports to the CEO and will be located in the greater Boulder-Denver metro area. Approximately 25-50% of time will be spent traveling, primarily to Veterans Green Jobs training sites.

About Veterans Green Jobs

Veterans Green Jobs is an unprecedented national initiative that offers creative and concrete solutions for three of the most urgent issues of our time: the rebuilding of a sustainable green economy; reversing deteriorating environmental conditions and climate change threats; and our country’s need to serve the returned or returning military veterans who deserve meaningful new careers. VGJ’s core program is the Veterans Green Jobs Academy, which partners with community colleges, nonprofits and industry partners to provide training opportunities for military veterans in the emerging green-collar jobs sector. In addition, VGJ connects veterans with a wide range of complimentary resources to assist with military transitions. VGJ represents a new form of veteran service organization that engages veterans and non-veterans alike towards the common goal of building a more sustainable future. By supporting both veterans and the development of a green economy, the VGJ’s work is restorative to our veterans, our economy and our planet. VGJ is a national NGO, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado (http://ci.boulder.co.us/).

Program Description: Veterans Green Jobs Academy &amps; Enterprises
VGJ, in collaboration with a broad consortium of partners, is launching a national Green Jobs Academy to support returning military veterans to become leaders in the rapidly emerging green jobs industry through cutting-edge training programs. VGJ’s Veterans Green Jobs Academy will provide both classroom-based and on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities in a range of fields including renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, historic building restoration, and disaster preparedness, response and reconstruction. Academy programs will launch in a variety of states in 2009, including Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana. We anticipate VGJ Training Programs available in up to 10 states in 2009, and up to 20 states in 2010.

Position Responsibilities

Academy Programs Management

The Director of Programs will supervise and support program staff, working closely with the Director of Education/Academy Dean, at multiple training sites to develop and carry out program activities in association with a wide range of partners including community and four-year colleges and universities, veteran service organizations, businesses and other nonprofit/community partners.

Enterprise Management

Academy OJT programs will be run in a “live” enterprise context—VGJ will supervise non-profit enterprises conducting energy efficiency, conservation, green building and other green enterprise activities. This gives participants real-world enterprise experience, and generates fee-for-service revenue to support VGJ programs. A business background is not required, but demonstrated experience in social venture management is strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Minimum of Master’s Degree [M1]or equivalent experience in relevant field(s). Experience with multi-site management and supervision; experience managing a business or a fee-for-service focused non-profit organization including financial management; comfort in a team-based management structure; strong programmatic background; flexibility; strong communication skills; and willingness to travel. Exposure [M2]or participation in “green jobs” or related fields strongly preferred. Sense of humor required.

Salary and Benefits

First year salary will be in the range of $45,000-$55,000 full-time plus benefits package (health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, comp time, etc.). Opportunities for accelerated advancement of wage and responsibilities are anticipated based on program success and staff member performance.

The VGJ team is a dynamic, diverse and committed group of individuals who seeks not only to improve the world we live in and the lives of returning veterans, but also to model a sustainable, green organization.

Application Process

Please send cover letter, résumé, and references will[M3] contact information to team@veteransgreenjobs.org and include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. No phone calls please. Application Deadline: March 29, 2009. Interviews with promising candidates will take place on rolling basis and position will remain open until filled.

We are looking for thoughtful, personalized cover letters that demonstrate your qualifications and writing style. Please explain why you are inspired to work with Veterans Green Jobs and how you would apply your experience to this position. No phone calls, please.

VGJ is an equal opportunity employer.

February 4, 2009

Wal-Mart Foundation Awards $5.7 Million for Creation of Green Jobs

The Wal-Mart Foundation has announced grants totaling $5.7 million to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Veterans Green Jobs to support the creation of green jobs, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Conference of Mayors will receive $5 million to create jobs in an array of emerging green industries. During the spring of 2009, it will award six grants to nonprofit organizations that have a history of working with local government to train people for green jobs. In early 2010, it will make three additional grants to cities working to provide green workforce training.

In addition, the foundation awarded nearly $750,000 to Veterans Green Jobs in Boulder, Colorado, to develop four training sites in Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, and Louisiana where returned or returning veterans can acquire green job training skills. According to a new Global Insight study, 10 percent of U.S. job growth is likely to occur in green industries by 2038.

“We understand how important building a green workforce is to the future of America, and the Wal-Mart Foundation is committed to helping create job growth that also sustains our environment,” said the foundation’s president, Margaret McKenna. “Realizing that one of the greatest barriers to creating green jobs is the lack of a trained workforce, the Wal-Mart Foundation’s grants will help break through this barrier and enable more American workers to be trained and ready to contribute in this growing sector.”

Source: “Wal-Mart Foundation Donates $5.7 Million to Support the Creation of Green Jobs in the U.S.” Wal-Mart Foundation Press Release 2/03/09.

There are essentially two ways to lower our impact on the environment: create more energy from renewable sources (like solar and wind) and use less energy (i.e. conserve) by changing our behavior – turning off lights, lowering the thermostat – weatherizing our buildings, and installing better light bulbs/appliances that use energy more efficiently.

Among energy policy aficionados, conservation is often referred to as the ‘low hanging fruit’. That’s why Obama’s Administration is launching the biggest residential and public (as in government) energy conservation effort in the history of this nation as part of the ‘Green Stimulus’ package that’s before Congress right now.

Europe is still embarrassingly ahead of us, though. While we squabble over whether states’ have the right to set auto emissions standards below the national average, the entire European Union (that’s 27 different countries) recently passed the 20-20-20 Deal, which would “decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020, make 20 percent energy savings, and bring renewable energy sources up to 20 percent of total energy use.” (See Grist.org for more details on the pros and cons of this plan).

Well America, we have been a world leader on climate change—going the wrong direction! But things can turn around more quickly than you might imagine. What America really needs now is a virtual ‘Green Army’—a trained work force that can identify and implement conservation measures nationwide. According to a New York Times article on January 9, 2009 called “Efficiency Help Wanted,” 56,000 newly trained workers and 14,000 project managers would be needed to realize Mr. Obama’s one-year goals for energy efficiency alone.

That’s where the Veterans Green Jobs Academy comes in. In 2009 we are launching training programs in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Washington. Soon we will be training hundreds of veterans every year. Find our more about our Veterans Green Jobs Academy here.

We know what needs to be done. Now let’s put a little elbow grease into it.

- Emily