ALL POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY FILLED!

Welcome to Solar Energy International's Work-Trade (W-T) Program! For the last 15 years SEI has been utilizing the skills and enthusiasm of its diverse work-traders (interns) from around the country to strengthen and grow the organization. In fact, a large majority of the current staff were once work-traders! With 2009 comes continued growth and the need for skilled assistance. So please review this page and feel free to download our W-T policies and Application forms at the bottom. Check out the 'FAQ' section for common questions too. Thanks for your interest-we look forward to hearing from you!

Application Deadlines
Eligibility Requirements
Open Positions
Frequently Asked Questions
Downloadable Forms

I. Application Windows/Deadlines:

We are currently accepting applications for Work Trade positions. You must choose the positions(s) for which you would like to apply (listed below) and send the application and a resume to contact person for that position. We will accept applications until the positions are filled. We will also post which positions are filled as it happens, so please only apply for those positions below that are still open.

II. Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible to become an SEI work-trader/intern you must:

1. Take a MINIMUM of 8 weeks of our Renewable Energy Education (REEP) workshops. Two weekend courses equals a week. One 6-week online course can also equal to one week for work-trade purposes. For example, you can take PV Design & Installation (2 weeks), Advanced PV (1 week), Building for the Future: Solar Home Design ONLNE (6 weeks online), Straw Bale Construction and Natural Plasters (1 week), Solar Hot Water (1 week), Solar Radiant Heat (weekend), Solar Water Pumping (weekend), and RE for the Developing World (1 week).
2. SEI will trade 50% of total tuition in exchange for work. Work-traders/interns must have their hours completed prior to the first day of the first workshops they would like to attend. We take the total tuition due and divide that amount by two. This gives us the amount of tuition you owe us. It also gives us the amount we are trading you. Here's how it works: SEI puts the value of $14 trade equivalent/hour worked.  The total tuition due is divided by two and then divided again by 14.  This gives us the amount of tuition you owe us and the amount of hours you need to work trade.  For example, if your total tuition for 8 weeks of workshops is $6500, then divide that in half to figure out what you owe us.  Now to figure out how many hours you need to trade, divide that new number by $14 for a total of 232 hours (almost 6 weeks of full time work).
3. Fill out an application, and send it, along with a resume, to the SEI staff contact for the position in which you are applying.
4. Provide (2) references (no letters please-just contact information) of past employers, supervisors, professors, etc. (no family members please).
5. Be available for a phone or in-person interview.

Desired applicants are highly self-motivated, consistently willing to take initiative, require very little supervision, and are comfortable working hard in a non-traditional, fun, social, and serious work-environment.

III. Tasks/Open Positions:

Below are general descriptions for each Work Trade position. Please note that as SEI tries to be as up front about the duties we need help with, there is always the possibility that our Work Trade helpers will be helping in other aspects of the day to day operations if needed!

For 2009 we are looking to fill the following positions:

FILLED!! Assistant to Executive Director
Contact: soozie@solarenergy.org

Work closely with Johnny Weiss, the Executive Director of Solar Energy International, on a number of office and hands-on tasks. This position requires a very motivated, flexible, and multi-talented candidate. The ideal candidate is also computer savvy and possessing advanced writing and oral communication skills. This candidate will also work closely with the SEI Administration Team when Johnny is not available. Applicant must be skilled in PowerPoint creation and formatting; have excellent research abilities; have an understanding that even the little, seemingly insignificant tasks are just as important as the big projects; have a sense of humor; excellent organizational skills; and be out-going. An interview with the Director is required. This position is based in Carbondale, CO

Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the year

FILLED!! Solar in the Schools (SIS) Assistant

Assist Soozie Lindbloom, Coordinator of SEI's Youth Education Program, in day-to-day SIS activities such as (but not limited to) development of K-12th grade curriculum, attending fairs, presenting in schools, creating hands on displays, working on the SEI bus, organizing materials, and much, much more! Ideal candidate is very enthusiastic, positive, fun, patient, organized, and loves to work with kids. Previous teaching experience is a big plus! A vehicle is required for this job. This position is based in Carbondale, CO.
Timeframe: March & April, 2009

FILLED!! Renewable Energy Education Program (REEP) Curriculum Development Assistant

This position will assist Kathy Swartz and the Paonia staffers in updating PowerPoints, doing research to help enhance our existing curriculum, soliciting donations, and working with our instructors to ensure that the workshop notebook is an exceptional product. In addition, 1/4-1/2 of this position's time will be spent helping with general office needs for our workshop programming. The program focus includes: Solar Hot Water, Residential Wind, Sustainable Building, and Microhydro, but the applicant does not need previous in depth knowledge about these topics. Applicant must be skilled in PowerPoint creation and formatting; have excellent research abilities; ability to understand that even the little, seemingly insignificant tasks are just as important as the big projects; sense of humor; excellent organizational skills; and be out-going (will be making lots of cold calls).
This position is located in Paonia, CO.

Timeframe: one person to start in April 2009, one person to start in October 2009

FILLED!! Sustainable Building Curriculum Development Assistant
Contact: rachel@solarenergy.org

This position will assist Rachel Connor in updating PowerPoints and course materials, doing research to help enhance our existing curriculum, webinars, and working with our instructors to ensure that the workshop notebook is an exceptional product. The focus is on sustainable building and previous experience within the field is preferred, but not necessary.
Applicant must be skilled in PowerPoint creation and formatting; desktop publishing with experience in either QuarkXPress or InDesign; have excellent research abilities; sense of humor; excellent organizational skills; and be out-going (will be making some cold calls).
This position is located in Carbondale, CO.

Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the year

FILLED!! Photovoltaics (PV) Curriculum Development Assistant

This position will assist Laura Walters and the PV staff in enhancing the visual appearance of powerpoints and the format of student worksheets used for SEI's photovoltaic workshops. SEI constantly updates our PV curriculum to keep up with this rapidly changing field. This applicant will have the unique experience of working with a group of highly regarded PV experts and
will become familiar with the PV curriculum before taking courses. This person will focus on the photovoltaics curriculum, but does not need previous knowledge about these topics. In addition to PV curriculum work, 1/4-1/2 of this position's time will be spent helping with general office needs for our workshop programming. Applicant must be skilled in PowerPoint creation and formatting; have excellent research abilities; an eye for design; and a sense of humor. This applicant should be proficient with Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop. Other design programs are a plus.
This position is located in Paonia, CO.

Timeframe: March/April/May 2009 and June/July/August 2009

FILLED!! Solar Home Tour Organizer Assistant I

This position will assist Kathy Swartz with organizing the Delta County Solar Home Tour. The Solar Home Tour, which will happen in late September or early October 2009, will showcase local homes that use renewable energy systems, are retrofitted to be energy- efficient, and/or were built using natural materials in a sustainable design. Though this position will end before the actual Home Tour, the position will help lay the foundation for this successful event...from helping to find homes, to soliciting sponsors, creating marketing materials, to working with volunteers and local partners and arranging general logistics. This position will serve as the liaison to the National Solar Home Tour through the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). In addition, 1/4-1/2 of this position's time will be spent helping with general office needs for our summer workshop programming. Skills: excellent organizational skills; out-going (will be making lots of cold calls); previous publication design experience; previous event organizing experience is preferred but not required for the right person; ability to understand that even the little, seemingly insignificant tasks are just as important as the big projects; sense of humor. This position is located in Paonia, CO

Timeframe: start in June 2009

Timeframe: begin in August or early September

We will post additional positions as they arise.
Please check our website now and again for updates.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

1. How far are Carbondale and Paonia from one another?
   Carbondale and Paonia are 60 miles apart over McClure Pass. It takes about an hour and 20 min to drive between the two. Winter driving over the pass can be hazardous.
2. Do I need my own transportation?
   While it is not required, we recommend bringing your own form of transportation so you can get around, enjoy the sights, and get between offices independently. Additionally, some positions may require your own vehicle. If you do not have your own vehicle or bike, we can potentially help with a bike.
3. Can I bring my dog?
   Non-staff dogs are not allowed in either the Carbondale or Paonia office. You will need to find a place to keep them while working. That being said, both of these areas have amazing hiking trails, perfect for dog activities in any season.
4. Are work-traders paid?
   Work Traders get the equivalent of $14/hour in the form of trade on the price of our workshops. The hours worked are NOT refundable for cash, however, nor are the hours worked transferable to anyone else. SEI offers our Work Traders the best discount that is given across the board. We feel strongly that the value of the Work Trade is well worth it!
5. Why do I have to commit to 8 weeks of workshops?
   We have found that this is the minimum for a mutually beneficial experience. Because of the trade we offer, less than 8 weeks of workshops would mean short work-trade periods. This way, not only do you get A LOT of training, but we get to know you and benefit from your hard work. A Work Trader can take more than 8 weeks of workshops, but he/she would have more trade hours to complete (or would just pay full price for any additional workshops if a trade in not worked out.)
6. As part of my w-t program, can I take workshops anywhere? Online?
   Yes. Although we recommend taking as many Colorado workshops as possible (so we get to know you, etc.), you can take SEI workshops in other locations, including cyberspace. There may be some exceptions.
7. Can I snail mail or fax my application instead of e-mailing it?
   Email is our preferred method so that our coordinator can quickly process the applications. We will, however, accept mailed applications to the following address:
   Solar Energy International
   Attn: Soozie Lindbloom
   P.O. Box 715
   Carbondale, CO 81623
8. Can I work another job locally to help support myself during my w-t?
   Usually. We completely understand the need to support yourself while completing your work-trade hours. However for full-time positions (40+ hrs/wk), this may be difficult. Once here at SEI, you can discuss your hours with your staff liaison. There are many local businesses especially in Carbondale that often hire SEI work-traders part-time. Often we can point you in the right direction. The important thing is that your work-tradership takes priority. Many of our work-traders save up for the experience so they can focus on the w-t.
9. What if there are no workshops happening right after my w-t hours are completed? Do I get workshop credit?
   Yes. As our w-t program expands, there are going to be work-traderships that take place at times of the year when no Colorado workshops are offered (winter, etc.). Thus, you will be given workshop credit for the w-t hours you put in. These credits will only be valid for One (1) year from the last day of your Work Trade. For example if you complete your hours on Jan 20, 2009, you will have until Jan 20, 2010 to use your credit. This credit is also non-transferable-to other people or for merchandise.
10. Where will I stay while I'm a work-trader?
    SEI does not currently have the capability to provide housing for our work-traders (although we hope to be able to in the near future). However, we are well connected in the communities we work in and can provide you significant assistance in finding an affordable place to stay. If you are accepted into a Work Trade Position, we will send you a lodging list. Typically our work-traders either camp nearby or rent a room from a local resident or staff member.
11. When do I have to sign up for workshops?
    You have one week after your arrival at SEI to put down a 50% deposit for the 8 weeks (or more) of workshops you plan to participate in. This will give you ample time to discuss your interests and questions with staff at SEI. If your work-tradership is taking place during the winter or when we aren't offering CO workshops, your workshop seats will NOT be guaranteed until you put down a 50% deposit. Remember, many SEI workshops fill up early!
12. What kind of preparation should I make before coming to SEI? Any prerequisite education needed?
    Come prepared for the type of lodging you have arranged (tent or flannel PJ's), the season you will be here, and the specific position you will be holding (hands-on positions require work-clothes or recommend tools…). In terms of other education/reading, that's up to you. We don't require anything. Other than that, bring a hard-work ethic, an open mind, and a big 'ole smile on your face!

V. Downloads:

Download work-trade policies (pdf - 80 kb)

Download work-trade application (doc - 121 kb)