Graduate Placement Assistant Technical Officer

Community Energy Scotland is an independent Scottish ‘more-than-profit’ charity (2007) that evolved from the success of the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (2004) in response to a growing sustainable development agenda in Scotland.
We are a team of engineers and specialists who are available for large and small projects throughout the country.

Community Energy Scotland is recruiting for a Graduate Placement Assistant Technical Officer. We are looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to work as part of our Technical Team delivering the technical aspects of several of CES’s projects. Training as required, personal development opportunities, and support will be provided by Community Energy Scotland.

Main Tasks:

• Working as a team to carry out options appraisals and analysis of the technical & financial feasibility of energy projects.
• Advising on technical systems and solutions for projects.
• Assess planning, technical, and spatial constraints in relation to renewable energy developments.
• To provide technical analysis of demand and generation profiles, and opportunities for closer integration of renewable energy sources and local loads.
• To generally give technical support to community energy groups and their activities and collaborate with community organisations to further the aim of a Just Energy Transition. This will include technical support and advice to communities on areas including reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency for their buildings and facilities and developing low-carbon local transport projects.
• To support communities through the process of setting up local energy clubs.
• Create viable financial models for investment in energy distribution infrastructure and new business models for energy delivery.
• Delivery of framework & metrics, baselining & gap analysis and data collection for carbon audits and other work.
• Delivery of ground truthing to ensure carbon audits reflect as accurately as possible the picture of emissions across communities in Scotland.
• Energy monitoring and gathering baseline data such as data on energy demand and generation, and analysing this data using statistical methods, as well as innovative and exploratory methods.
• Coding computer scripts may also be used to work with live data streams such as those accessible over API to build data pipelines for project data requirements.
• Customisation of these scripts to correctly format data or generate summative statistics.
• Supporting the Head of Development by providing technical inputs for bids and project proposals.
• To assist the CES (Trading) team in the delivery of innovation advice and consultancy to clients.
• To support the development of an innovation knowledge centre within CES, including a project database and toolkit for innovation options.

Administration:

• Keep detailed records of all engagement with community groups.
• Support the Technical Manager with collating data, tracking progress towards key project milestones and compiling project reports.
• Update the Community Energy Scotland database and project specific spreadsheets on a regular basis.
• Liaise with the Membership Officer to encourage all new community groups engaged with to join Community Energy Scotland as members.
• To keep all personal work records up to date such as annual leave requests, My Hours and Monday.com.

Other Tasks

• To prepare, deliver and facilitate presentations/open meetings/workshops and discussions when required.
• To play a full role in the evolution and operation of the team at Community Energy Scotland, and support the success of Community Energy Scotland as a whole.
• Ongoing requirement to ensure work activity is well communicated to the wider Community Energy Scotland team.
• Providing photographs and updates to the Communications Officer for use on social media and the website.
• Maintain a safe working environment ensuring your own personal safety and the safety of others.
• Act as an ambassador for Community Energy Scotland, promoting Community Energy Scotland in a positive manner.
• Ensure relevant consistent branding across all CES and funder communications.
• Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time by the CEO.

Essential:

• Familiarity with analysis or research, working to funding specifications, team-working in a research focussed manner.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Determination, perseverance, and sound problem-solving skills in the face of obstacles and challenges.
• A high level of self-motivation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider public.
• Strong commitment to Community Energy Scotland, its ethos and purpose.

Desirable

• Experience of working with community organisations.
• A good understanding of community development.
• Experience of local area planning with relevance to carbon neutral plans.
• Understanding of inclusion and dignity in a charity setting both internal to CES and with our prospective clients/partners.