Resource Innovation Institute is a non-profit organization committed to cultivating a better future for all of humanity. We measure, verify & celebrate the world’s most efficient agricultural ideas so growers can reap resilient harvests for the next hundred years. Founded in 2016 to advise governments, utilities and industry leaders on the resource impacts of cannabis cultivation, an under-studied and resource-intensive market, we have since extended our research to other sectors in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture.
We believe in making immediate impact that is deliberate by design. We are an agile startup with a diverse team with many women in leadership and fulfilling technical responsibilities.
Together, we lead the measurement, adoption and celebration of the world’s most efficient agricultural ideas. To take on the challenges of our changing world, we believe that food, medicine and other vital crops demand data-driven insights, shared with integrity.
Our consortium of members brings perspectives from across the field—uniting architects and engineers, growers and operators, researchers and analysts. By nurturing connections in our complex and dynamic industry, we can build deeply restorative systems for people and planet.
RII is funded by utilities, foundations, governments, cultivators, and leading members of the supply chain serving CEA. Its Board of Directors includes the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and a former board member of the US Green Building Council.
RII believes all issues are intersectional. Climate change can not be addressed unless and until true racial equality prevails. We therefore seek a virtual work environment where our employees and those we hire for project work are aligned with these beliefs and considered for their competence, not necessarily their education or experience.
Application Details
Submit an application consisting of both a cover letter and a resume including a link to your LinkedIn profile. As part of the interview process, candidates will be asked to complete a pre-hire assessment. Applicants who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered.
Position Details
Overview: Establishes technical positions and represents RII in technical venues and among industry standards organizations, while overseeing and guiding the organization’s operations, leading the development of PowerScore, authoring best practices guidance and research reports for the market, and delivering related training programs.
Reports to: Executive Director
Direct reports: Operations & Engineering Manager, Resource Efficiency Engineer
Skills/experience required:
- Management of horticultural operations, including tracking of data on plant health and energy/water usage, and oversight of structured research projects on resource efficiency
- History of working with a mix of indoor and greenhouse crop producers to advance resource efficiency solutions at a range of scales
- Design, construction and maintenance of CEA facilities
- Engagement in utility energy efficiency programs
- Technical writing
- Public speaking
Skills/certifications/experience preferred:
- Degree in Horticulture, Engineering, Biology or other relevant scientific disciplines
- Expert in automation and controls systems that help growers track and achieve resource efficiency
- Water circularity strategies
- Knowledge of cannabis as a cultivar and related cultivation approaches and methods
- Understanding of MEP and building envelope systems in cultivation facilities
- Project management skills like scheduling, cost estimating, and resource balancing
- Good technical writer for diverse stakeholders; Adept at translating complex technical subjects to lay audiences
Duties
Oversee Engineering Team
- Operations & Engineering Manager
- Resource Efficiency Engineer
Direct PowerScore service & enhancement
- Contract management and client support (e.g., USDA, Mendocino, future jurisdictions, future trade associations)
- Benchmarking services for producers, both voluntary and compliance
- Data integration with members
- Analytics for Pro users
- User experience testing and improvement, in coordination with Marketing
- Software development, including contract development and oversight of external software development and system administration resources
Oversee Technical Advisory Council
- In 2022-23, Working Groups will include:
- Policy, Codes & Standards (to be facilitated by ACEEE and Executive Director)
- Water Circularity
- Automation & Control
Lead development of publications on CEA resource efficiency
- Read and analyze existing research published on efficient and emerging technologies
- Author Best Practices Guides and market reports (e.g., CEA Market Characterization Report)
- Play a lead editorial role in the collaborative development of semi-annual reports:
- The Benchmark
- The Landscape
- Work in partnership with Marketing to develop case studies with members and data partners
- Author technical editorials and columns in relevant industry publications and in alignment with Marketing objectives
- E.g., Greenhouse Grower, Cannabis Business Times, Produce Grower
Oversee development and delivery of education & training content developed for:
- Catalog
- CEA Efficiency Learning Center
- Curriculum Strands (Efficient Yields, Growing Efficiency, Harvesting Savings)
- Tip Clips
Determine technical positions on behalf of the organization
- Respond to public comment periods related to technical issues put forth by standards organizations (e.g., ASTM, UL, ASHRAE, DLC)
- Help shape policy positions, in coordination with Executive Director
- Represent RII on technical committees of standards organizations
Work Schedule & Environment
- Starts 6/13/22
- Full-time, 40 hours/week
- 95k-120k DOE
- Remote position; work from home
- Collaborate via digital platforms with supervisor in Portland, Oregon, and team members in Portland, Burlington, Vermont, and Denver, Colorado
Equal Opportunity Statement
Our goal to be an accessible, diverse, and intersectional organization representing the industry we serve is only accomplished with an inclusive workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to excellence through diversity. RII does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status. We welcome and encourage applications from people who belong to underrepresented and/or marginalized groups. RII values the individual and social differences that every person brings to the table.
APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
