Continue reading »]]> Virginia Clean Cities is openly searching for a new team member. We seek an experienced grant or project administrator to assist our management team with program administration across our current and future grants portfolio. Detailed information about this position is below and the application process can be found online at JMU JobLink.

Applications will only be accepted through JMU JobLink. To find the application on JobLink’s website, click on “View/Apply for Administrative and Professional Faculty Positions.” The job title is listed as “Virginia Clean Cities Director of Grants Administration.”

Virginia Clean Cities is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s longstanding clean fuel coalition, and one of around 90 clean cities coalitions nationwide that supports domestic energy, environmental, and economic security through educational and deployment efforts towards reduction in petroleum use in the transportation sector.

Virginia Clean Cities seeks a qualified professional to serve as Director of Grants Administration to oversee the program’s portfolio of sponsored projects and contracts.

This position will provide management level support to a 15 year old nonprofit with a two year university partnership. It will be under the supervision of and provide support to an Executive Director and other senior staff, and have staff assistance with able program managers as project staff, and administrative financial assistance. The university grant projects also receive guidance and support from an office of sponsored programs, including program, legal, and accounting support funded by project indirect funds. This is primarily a grant funded position, though additional indirect resources are available for future grant writing if necessary.

Project Management
• Oversees the management of the nonprofit grant portfolio for alternate transportation fuels infrastructure, vehicle deployment, education, and outreach in order to comprehensively reduce petroleum use and decrease harmful emissions.
• Oversees and works with project management and support staff.
• Reviews high-level deliverables across VCC portfolio.
• Works with Executive Director to implement quality assurance and evaluation procedures.
• Provides leadership within Shenandoah Valley regional office activities.
• Maintains and improves sound business practices within boundaries of non-profit and university environments.
• Pursues leverage opportunities to benefit across grant programs.
• Provides input and assistance to seek additional grants.

Project Accounting & Financial Management
• Works with Executive Director and other senior managers to develop and meet revenue and other financial goals.
• Creates detailed contracts as necessary while following university and nonprofit guidelines. Contract experience and attention to detail is highly valued in this position.
• Adjusts grant budgets when necessary.
• Helps create pipeline forecasts and broad-based financial picture for practice.
• Addresses and resolves all billing issues.
• Ensures grant practice meets or exceeds budgeted financial objectives, including deliverables done on time, good closeout reports, that budgets are spent on time, and that projects are leveraged
• Provide support to maintain grant and program revenue for ongoing support
• Grows long-term relationships with clients and capitalizes on equity and partnership opportunities.

Communication
• Ensures practice is well informed, at all times, of changes and news worthy events within our company.
• Effectively communicates relevant practice information to coalition management and external partners.
• Effectively communicate with support staff and project managers
• Involvement in personnel situations regarding project managers, using appropriate discretion, program HR assistance advice, and respect for the individual.
• Promotes Virginia Clean Cities as necessary through speaking engagements at industry conferences and involvement in local business organizations.
• Understands the implications of different technical choices and is able to guide our clients to the best solution for their situation.

Qualifications and experience
• 4 years of related work experience in project management
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental, engineering, or similar fields requested. A master’s degree or advanced academic work would be preferable.
• Experience with project management and contracting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work with a range of personalities
• Understanding of alternate fuels and the Clean Cities program

Compensation
• Salary range from $40,000 to $58,000 based on education and experience. AP Faculty position. Comprehensive benefits package. Time off and flexible schedule if necessary.

• While position will be primarily in Harrisonburg, Virginia, travel throughout Virginia and the United States may be required on occasion for professional conferences and as projects needs arise. A vehicle and/or travel reimbursement will be provided for trips.

Three References
Professional Resume
Cover Letter

PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
Leadership
Achieves excellence in all areas of project portfolio management.
Champions positive change and effectively manages the implementation of new ideas.
Teamwork
Reinforces team approach throughout practice both on client projects and internal initiatives.
Supports and solicits input from team members at all levels within the organization.
Ensures regular team and practice events take place away from the office.
Supports team skill building
Client Management
Communicates effectively with clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions and strategies.
Continually defines ways to increase customer satisfaction and deepen client relationships.
Maintains lasting client relationships.
Ensures practice delivers superior solutions to clients.
Provides high level resolution to client issues.
Time Management
Ensures projects are on time and on budget
Places appropriate effort on tasks for impact and efficiency
Follows through on tasks and deliverables

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Manager Development
Maintains and supports the development of project managers and staff.
Assigns tasks to practice management that give managers an opportunity to grow.
Internal Operations
Reviews status reports of Project Managers and Senior Managers and addresses issues as appropriate.
Tracks quarterly reports and deliverables to ensure consistency and high quality
Lends expertise to internal teams and task forces.
Enforces and enhances standard policies and procedures.

For questions, please contact Katie Cook at (540) 568-4854.

Continue reading »]]> Spring is here which means that grant season is soon upon us. Especially for diesel replacements and retrofits, but other opportunities will also arise. Do you have a vehicle purchase on your mind? We’d like to support Virginia fleets and our fantastic stakeholders with projects that can have significant impact. Together we can support energy, environmental, and economic security through clean transportation projects.

Web form with six quick questions
http://www.vacleancities.org/altfuelplans2012

In the past, we’ve been successful with numerous grants for stakeholders including refuse truck replacements, bus retrofits, alt fuel school bus purchases, and clean fuel transformations. With propane often at $2.00 for fleets, CNG at $1.27 at our public stations, and electricity at an equivalent $1 per gallon, there has rarely been as good a time to consider clean fuel vehicles.

Please feel free to share this with other fleets or friends

Thank you for all that you do for energy security, efficient transportation, and clean air in Virginia.

Continue reading »]]> Join representatives from the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United Soybean Board to learn about the benefits you could realize by incorporating Biodiesel into your existing fleet.

Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition — Ron Flowers, Executive Director
Smithsonian Institution — Bill Griffiths, Fleet Manager / Transportation Branch Chief
Members of the Maintenance Staff of the Smithsonian Institution — stationed with equipment displays

This FREE workshop includes continental breakfast, lunch, up-to-date information about soy biodiesel, and an opportunity to hear from a fleet using B20 in a wide variety of existing assets. There will be nine different vehicles/assets of the Smithsonian on display
which use B20. Each will be accompanied by the employees responsible for maintenance and operations.

Make your plans to join us for this exciting, hands on opportunity to
learn about the benefits of Biodiesel use in your fleet! Parking will available in a nearby lot with shuttle service available.

Once RSVP is received, directions to the parking lot and an e-parking pass will be emailed to you.

We look forward to seeing you in Suitland, Maryland on April 11th for this exciting event!

For more information, check out our event page!

Continue reading »]]> Please join us on April 3rd at 1pm as we launch the Virginia Natural Gas Working Group with the first of our bi-monthly calls. We will be discussing several topics regarding natural gas in the Commonwealth. The agenda includes: Review Working Group Call Goals, Infrastructure Update, Regional Updates, and Open Discussion.

For more information, check out our event page!

Continue reading »]]> Virginia Clean Cities and Clean Fuels Ohio and collaborate on releasing “EV Charging for Persons with Disabilities”

For Release February 17th

(Harrisonburg, Virginia) As our nation develops a network of EV charging stations, we must include access for persons with disabilities and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To ensure businesses have resources on proper ways to install charging stations with access for all users, including those with disabilities, Clean Fuels Ohio and Virginia Clean Cities have released “EV Charging for Persons with Disabilities.”< />

“EV Charging for Persons with Disabilities” covers accessible parking, access from vehicle to charging equipment, using the EV charging station, returning to recharge the vehicle, accessing the destination, and fast charger considerations.

“We’re happy to release this valuable information on charging electric vehicles to the public to ensure those with disabilities that choose an electric vehicle have access to public charging stations,” Clean Fuels Ohio Executive Director Sam Spofforth said. “We thank the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority for helping to provide funding for this project.”

“Expanded access to clean fuel options is a benefit for individuals and society” said Alleyn Harned, Executive Director of Virginia Clean Cities. “Multistate collaboration on this report will help a wide range of people gain access to electric vehicle infrastructure, and we hope that the information is useful to planners and installers nationwide.”

The report can be found at www.cleanfuelsohio.org and at www.virginiaev.org

Click here to download EV ADA Charging Report February 2012

The report was prepared by Sustainable Transportation Strategies with financial assistance by Clean Fuels Ohio, through a grant from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, and Virginia Clean Cities through the Richmond Electric Vehicle Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Virginia Clean Cities is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing our energy, economic, and environmental security through petroleum reduction and clean transportation. Virginia Clean Cities operates dozens of domestic fuel and environmental projects for federal, state, agencies and private foundations. To learn more please visit www.vacleancities.org.

Clean Fuels Ohio is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the use of cleaner, non-petroleum fuels and efficient vehicles to the transportation industry, community leaders and Ohio citizens. CFO provides technical support for transportation professionals, advocates for sustainable transportation energy policies, and serves as a resource clearinghouse for fleets, policy makers and the public. Headquartered in Columbus, CFO works extensively around the state in collaboration with local partners. For more information visit: www.CleanFuelsOhio.org.

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Continue reading »]]>
TFC Recycling Adds Five More CNG Trucks to its Fleet and Opens Area’s First CNG Fleet Maintenance Shop

Chesapeake, Virginia, – February 13, 2012 – TFC Recycling has added five new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to its fleet, making it the largest private owner and operator of clean-running, collection trucks in Virginia. It has also opened Hampton Roads’ first fleet maintenance shop capable of working on CNG vehicles.

At a news conference at TFC’s Chesapeake maintenance facility today, 4th District Congressman Randy Forbes applauded the company for taking a leadership role in alternative energy. “TFC is setting a high standard in its industry and in Virginia by investing in CNG technology,” said Forbes. “This is good for the Commonwealth and for the nation.” The Director of Virginia Clean Cities, Alleyn Harned, told the audience of municipal and business leaders that TFC Recycling is to be congratulated for “stepping up as high impact leaders to support cleaner domestic fuel alternatives.”

TFC estimates that its six CNG trucks will each year displace 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel, which helps the environment and reduces the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. CNG powered vehicles produce just half of the emissions that federal guidelines allow, making TFC Recycling’s collection fleet among the cleanest in Virginia.

TFC Recycling’s new 20-bay maintenance facility is CNG compliant and the first of its kind in Hampton Roads. Mechanics there are certified in alternative fuels, which means they can assist other businesses that are interested in CNG conversion and maintenance.

“When it comes to transportation, the Commonwealth takes an all fuels approach,” says Cathie France, Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Energy.

“Governor McDonnell is therefore pleased to see companies like TFC Recycling embrace and use fuels such as natural gas, which mean cleaner air in Virginia and more American jobs.” At the news conference, TFC Recycling was presented with a formal resolution from the Governor commending the company for its progressive green initiatives and use of natural resources.

“Recycling paper, glass and metals is our principal line of work,” says Michael Benedetto, President of TFC Recycling, “but we are equally committed to new technologies that promote a cleaner environment and demonstrate corporate leadership. We believe that having six CNG trucks is a good example, and we look forward to adding even more as well as a natural gas filling station in the near future.”

The six CNG trucks will be visible immediately providing curbside pickup service in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and the Outer Banks. TFC hopes to add more cities to its network, enabling them to join in a nationwide movement to switch more trucks from petroleum-based fuels to natural gas.

TFC Recycling is a locally owned and operated recycling and waste removal company, providing residential and commercial recycling and waste removal. Established in 1973, TFC Recycling believes “it’s not how many customers we serve, but how we serve our customers.” TFC Recycling employs more than 350 people and recycles more than 250,000 tons annually thereby diverting it from the landfill.

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