Possible Structural Assessments for Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Arrays for Public Schools Job

Richmond CA, October 19, 2010 – Richmond architecture and engineering firm Interactive Resources was recently awarded a contract by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to provide solar feasibility studies for 24 California K-12 school buildings in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Sequoia Foundation Solar Schools Assessment and Implementation Project in Berkeley, California requires that a feasibility roof structural assessment be conducted to determine the potential of school roofs to support a solar photovoltaic (PV) array. The Sequoia Foundation is preparing a "Solar Master Plan" that will plan and deploy the installation of PV systems on all appropriate district schools and administrative buildings. The success of this Solar America Showcase demonstration project can lead to the development of best practices and potential replication in other school districts. NREL is responsible for the Solar America Showcase technical management efforts.

Interactive Resources will provide structural engineering services in the rapid evaluation of 24 buildings for the application of photovoltaic arrays, which could also lead to additional school sites. All of the sites are existing school facilities located within California. Each site (building) will be evaluated to determine the maximum permissible number of PV modules that can be placed on the existing framing without triggering a Code mandated seismic upgrade to the existing lateral load resisting system or creating localized over-stress conditions resulting from the added weight of the array.

For each school roof analyzed, Interactive Resources will provide a written report that will include a summary of design parameters, assumptions and analysis results including any structural deficiencies. The report will also include the maximum number of generic PV modules that the existing school roof structure is able to support, as well as structural calculations prepared as part of the structural rapid engineering analysis.


“As a school district develops its master plan for future solar projects, it’s important that the district determine if a school building can handle the additional weight of solar panels. An inexpensive structural analysis done by a professional engineer is one important aspect of determining which school buildings are ready for standard, high efficiency PV panels or which would be better suited for light-weight thin film PV,” said Tom Kelly with KyotoUSA.

Paul Westermann, SE, Structural Engineer for Interactive Resources, is project manager for the NREL Roof Structural Assessments.

Volunteer for the FALL San Francisco Green Festival!

Volunteer for the FALL San Francisco Green Festival! [ Back ]

Organization:
Green Festival [More Info]

Volunteers Needed:
1000


Date:
Oct 21, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010

Time:
7:30 am - 10:00 pm

Estimated Time:
4 hours per Day

Location:
SF Concourse and Exhibition Center
635 8th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
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Great For:
Teens, 55+, Groups (up to 20)

Serve.gov:
AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps

Interest Area:
Advocacy & Human Rights, Environment, International

Minimum Age:
14

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Description
San Francisco FALL Green Festival
November 6-7, 2010
SF Concourse and Exhibition Center
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! The ninth year of San Francisco's Fall Green Festival is shaping up to be the best year yet - you won't want to miss the fabulous green speakers, exhibitors and DIY educators, along with all the fabulous organic food and drink!
Green Festival relies on the support of over 1,000 volunteers at each festival. We could not host the event without you! Create your 2010 registration account and check out the available shifts at www.greenfestivalvolunteers.org/sf.

Volunteer Benefits
free admission all weekend
an exclusive organic cotton event t-shirt
snacks, a free coat check and relaxation in the Volunteer Lounge
free memberships in Green America and Global Exchange
10% discount in the Green America and Global Exchange festival stores
Volunteering with a Group - If you have a group that would like to volunteer, please contact me at volunteer@greenfestivals.org to arrange for a group time slot. Group slots fill up quick so send that email today!
Media Volunteers - We need talented, experienced (though not necessarily "professional") photographers, videographers and bloggers WITH THEIR OWN QUALITY EQUIPMENT to join us at the DC Green Festival. If you would like to join the Media team, email me with your experience and equipment details at volunteer@greenfestivals.org.

Executive Director at the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Coalition

The Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Coalition seeks a dynamic Executive Director to lead us in transforming the landscape of the region. With over $10 million invested in program development to date, the Coalition is poised to expand the implementation of Bay Friendly checklists, certifications and trainings throughout the region, making sustainable landscape practices the norm for landscape professionals, nurseries, land developers and managers, builders, water agencies and local governments. The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition with associated management and fundraising responsibilities, and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director leads the Coalition’s prioritization and strategic planning efforts, takes responsibility for meeting fundraising and financial objectives, coordinates consultant work, and communicates the mission and vision of the Coalition to key constituency groups in order to promote sustainable landscaping practices. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary individual who sees the vital mission of creating regenerative landscapes while exercising entrepreneurial skills to grow the organization.

Background:
Established in 2009, the Coalition is a California nonprofit focused specifically on promoting sustainable landscaping and gardening practices in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bay-Friendly programs offer home gardeners, landscape professionals, and public agencies the tools and skills to create beautiful, healthy, and sustainable landscapes. Our mission is to work in partnership to reduce waste and pollution, protect the Bay, conserve water, energy and natural resources, while creating vibrant landscapes. It is based on 10 years of program development by Stopwaste.org.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Grow the organization to reach its full potential
 Help develop and maintain a 2-3 year strategic plan in concert with the Board of Directors;
 Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board
of Directors.
 Oversight of 3-5 contractors and establishment of permanent staff positions;
 Build and maintain strategic alliances with local, statewide and national organizations;
 Market the Coalition to organizations, public agencies, and individuals to promote
membership growth;
 Fundraise from diverse funding sources including sponsorships, fee for service activities, and
grants in order to expand organizational capacity;
 Provide leadership in the launch and marketing of the Bay-Friendly Landscape standards and third party rating systems to local governments and other appropriate public agencies, property developers and landscape professionals.
 Provide leadership in the development of a Bay-Friendly public agency council and Bay-Friendly Landscape Professional network group
 Strengthen and bring to scale the existing programs and implement new programs as needed;
 Oversee a biannual regional conference, two annual at-large membership meetings , and other events;
 Maintain effective communications with the Board of Directors and support the bimonthly Board of Directors meetings;
 Manage and administer the organization’s budget and all financial matters;
 Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The candidate’s qualifications must be demonstrated through directly relevant professional experience and education.
 Outstanding leadership skills, as demonstrated by previous management experience with staff or contractors
 Bachelor's degree required in business, public policy, environmental management or related field (Master's degree, a plus).
 Minimum of 10 years of staff management experience and it is highly desirable that a minimum of 3 of those years be in the nonprofit sector.
 Proven track record raising funds from private and public institutions.
 Direct experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies including grant writing, membership campaigns, and fee for service programs.
 Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
 Experience in organizational development and related program development.
 Ability to develop budgets, navigate accounting systems and interpret financial reports.
 Understanding of sustainable landscaping practices and knowledge of Bay Area landscape community a plus.
 The ability to work independently, and as part of a team.
 Working knowledge of common computer applications (Quickbooks, spreadsheets, data management, power point, word processing).

The Executive Director will initially be an independent contractor and work under the direction of the Board of Directors. Executive Director must show proof of, and maintain minimum levels of one million dollars in general and auto liability insurance. To complete the duties of this position, the successful candidate must provide his/her own office space, computer, phone and internet access.

The Executive Director is a flexible part-time (minimum half-time) position with a salary of $5,000 per month. The determination will be made depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. It is the desire of the Board of Directors to expand the position in both salary and hours as funding allows.

To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Search Committee via email at info@bayfriendlycoalition.org with Executive Director in the subject line. Deadline is October 22, 2010. Initial interviews will be held on Wednesday, November 3 with a potential follow-up interview on Friday, November 5th. Please hold these dates open.