Community Grants Fellow

Launch your Sustainability Career with the Climate Corps Fellowship program!

SEI’s Climate Corps Fellowship program offers the chance to lead impactful climate and community resilience projects while gaining paid, hands-on experience. This full-time, bridge-to-career opportunity pairs fellows with host organizations, from local governments to nonprofits and businesses, to drive real-world change.

About the Opportunity 

Start Date: September 2nd, 2025

Length of Fellowship: 10 months

Are you passionate about connecting with the community about climate challenges and driving sustainability solutions? As a Community Grants Fellow in the Climate Corps Fellowship program, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful climate resiliency & sustainability initiatives with Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

This is a hybrid position with the expectation of onsite work up to 1 day per week. Some occasional community event tabling opportunities may happen outside the course of the normal work week. This position requires the employee to be physically located in the area at the time of hire. Only candidates currently residing within commuting distance of the onsite location will be considered.

Under staff direction, the fellow’s main tasks will be to design, implement, and administer SVCE’s Community Grant Program. The Community Grant is a first-of-its-kind program for SVCE that dedicates funding to school districts, religious institutions, and non-profits to invest in electrification capital projects. Other tasks will include supporting the Regulatory, Policy, Planning, and Legislative team by assisting with various program efforts related to community engagement, policy initiatives, and data analysis.  

This position offers a unique opportunity to develop your professional skills, grow your network, and contribute to Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s sustainability goals.

About Our Partner: Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is the community choice electricity provider for 13 communities in Santa Clara County. By providing electricity generated from renewable and clean sources, SVCE has helped to lower regional, energy-related emissions by 29% from the 2015 baseline and continues to reduce local pollution through innovative community programs focused on building and transportation electrification. 

What You’ll Do

• Community Grants
  • Develop and coordinate community grant initiatives.
  • Execute various program activities like hosting staff feedback sessions and community feedback sessions, which may be in-person or virtual.
  • Create a robust outreach plan to reach relevant organizations in hard-to-reach areas in SVCE’s service territory.
  • Research relevant active federal and state grants.
• Neighborhood Electrification
  • Assist customer navigation through the customer journey of SVCE electrification programs; coordinate with vendors to ensure project completion.
  • Train and support community leaders on the benefits of electrification and relevant SVCE programs.
• Other
  • Perform tasks of an analytical or research nature for suitable projects or ongoing assignments that call for specific acquired academic skills and knowledge;
  • Locate sources of information and collect and organize data, as directed.
  • Assist with the development of written, graphic, and/or oral reports and materials.
  • Assist with creating marketing materials.
  • Attend virtual and in-person community events where SVCE is present.
  • Gain knowledge of community choice energy providers and of the energy industry as a whole.

What We’re Looking For

• Coursework, training, or experience in fields related to Urban Planning, Public Policy, Environmental Science & Policy.
• Experience working with local community groups.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Strong interviewing, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with community groups such as schools, religious institutions, and non-profits.
• Ability to work with a team, as well as independently, and be motivated.
• Knowledge of Santa Clara County and its communities.
• Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• A college degree, coursework, or related experience in environmental fields (e.g., internships, volunteer work) is preferred. 
• The ability to work onsite on a hybrid basis up to 1 day per week. Some occasional community event tabling opportunities may happen outside the course of the normal work week. 
• Commitment to a fair workplace that honors the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (SEI is unable to sponsor visas).
• May require occasional moving about to accomplish tasks, moving from one worksite to another, or adjusting or moving objects under 25-50 pounds in all directions.

We encourage everyone interested in this position to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification. We value all perspectives and believe that a unique background can bring significant strengths to this role, even if some qualifications are not fully met.

What We Provide and Why This is a Game-Changer for Your Career

• A fixed, monthly stipend of $4500.
• $1000 end-of-program financial award.​
• Health care coverage with 100% of health care insurance premiums covered by the employer.
• Comprehensive career-readiness training, including interview prep, salary negotiation, and resume building.
• Panels, workshops, and networking with climate resilience industry professionals.
• Professional networking and learning opportunities.
• University of California Climate Stewards Certification, equipping you to lead community and ecosystem resilience initiatives.

Join the Climate Corps Movement

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in sustainability and climate action. Our fellows work on cutting-edge sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, building essential skills and creating real-world impact. Since 2010, Climate Corps has empowered over 800 Fellows to work with 500+ partners on 1,350 transformative projects. With nearly 99% of Fellows continuing careers in sustainability—many hired by their host organizations—you could be the next environmental leader shaping a better future!

Our Hiring Values

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to uplifting the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities can thrive. We strive for a workforce that reflects the communities we partner with and serve, especially those most impacted by climate change and environmental, social, and economic injustice. We welcome candidates who share SEI’s commitment to cultivating a people-centered work environment. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.