1. Background

The Arid Lands Environment Centre has been contracted by Desert Knowledge Australia to lead community engagement elements of the Alice Springs Future Grid project. The project aims to resolve renewable energy barriers on the Alice Springs grid to enable 50% renewable energy penetration by 2030. Further details are at the DKA website.

ALEC’s role is to:

• Deliver broad community engagement across Alice Springs on the Future Grid project
• Recruit and manage households to install batteries and pilot a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)
• Facilitate school and business energy monitoring
• Undertake a low socio-economic study to identify renewable energy barriers and opportunities for that sector
• Provide community engagement for a wind energy study being undertaken by a project partner

2. Timeline and remuneration

The role is part-time 0.7FTE (26.25hrs per week). The successful applicant must commence no later than 31 January 2021 and is funded until 30 June 2022. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in the range $75,000 to $90,000 per annum pro-rata plus 9.5% superannuation and leave loading. Annual leave is 5 weeks per year, pro rata. The position reports directly to ALEC’s Future Grid Community Solutions Program Manager.

3. Responsibilities

1. Ensure Community Engagement milestones are met on time and budget
2. Coordinate the recruitment and management of up to 150 Alice Springs households to participate in battery and Virtual Power Plant trials, including database management
3. Coordinate the installation of battery and VPP technologies to those households by contractors
4. Manage the delivery of a community engagement strategy
5. Liaise regularly with Future Grid project partners to ensure smooth delivery of community engagement outcomes
6. Coordinate the production of project infographics and animations to help community understanding of Future Grid
7. Develop community engagement collateral – stickers, magnets, printed materials, public event stalls, website material, e-newsletters, surveys, and participant information sheets
8. Organise and participate in regular community engagement and public speaking events
9. Organise the filming and distribution of Future Grid stories both through social media and community radio
10. Write and review project documentation and reporting obligations
11. Meet firm project milestones, deliverables and deadlines
12. Track and update management plans as required – risk, community engagement, knowledge sharing
13. Facilitate the solar schools and businesses energy monitoring sub-project, and assist with the low-socioeconomic solar study
14. Undertake roles and responsibilities autonomously

4. Key Selection Criteria

1. Previous community engagement experience
2. A reasonable understanding of Australia’s current energy environment, solar PV and battery storage technology
3. Ability to communicate technical information to a wide range of audiences
4. Experience implementing and managing project plans including budgets
5. Previous experience working in large multi-disciplined, multi-stakeholder projects
6. Ability to work in a small team
7. A demonstrated problem solver
8. Experience managing contractors

5. Desirable

1. Qualifications in Media and Communications or Project Management
2. Previous experience in renewable energy projects
3. Experience developing and delivering Social Science methodologies

Further Information

Contact Hayley Michener, Community Solutions Program Manager on [email protected] using the subject line: Community Engagement Coordinator - Alice Springs Future Grid enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0410 487 896.

A position description is attached.