Intern with Drive Electric Tennessee

Drive Electric Tennessee is currently accepting resumes and cover letters from people interested in serving as a DriveElectricTN Coordinator Assistant/Intern in 2023.

Those interested in applying should email DET Coordinator Savannah Robertson with your resume and cover letter. Email savannah@driveelectrictn.org for more information or with your application materials.

The DET Assistant/Intern position is part-time for approximately 15-20 hours per week (about 900 hours per year) starting at $18/hour.

NOTE: Any University of Tennessee Knoxville Department of Geography & Sustainability students have the opportunity to use this as an internship credit.

Review the application details below before applying.

About Us

Drive Electric Tennessee (DriveElectricTN, DET) is a state-wide initiative and consortium of organizations, ideas, stakeholders, and innovation, with a passion to connect people to each other as we maneuver about this electric vehicle world. We recognize the urgency of the challenges that face our communities, and our duty to bring projects, initiatives, and funding opportunities best suited for establishing a promising future for electric vehicles in Tennessee. But it gets better.. DET is just a program that the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCleanFuels, ETCF) serves as primary administrators.

East Tennessee Clean Fuels’ (ETCleanFuels) mission is to increase the use of cleaner American fuels and vehicles and energy-saving transportation technologies to improve air quality and health, curb dependence on imported petroleum and support Tennessee’s economy. More specifically, we work to implement alt fuel projects in East Tennessee, and work to make ETCleanFuels a sustainable coalition of involved participants from across East Tennessee.

DriveElectricTN was founded on strategic partnership amongst some of the largest leaders in the sustainable transportation field including the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. We relish the challenges inherent across a wide range of work, engaging our expertise and agility to deliver lasting, meaningful deliverables that bring value to Tennesseeans. At DriveElectricTN, we encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation. We want our staff to be fulfilled by their time with us as we know the key to our continuing success is working with and engaging the most talented people we can find.

Position Overview

DriveElectricTN is seeking a highly motivated and organized Assistant Coordinator/DriveElectricTN Intern to join the team. This role will offer strong organizational and proactive administrative and operational support to the DriveElectricTN Associate Director, including inbox management, meeting management and travel booking.

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism and discretion with the ability to assist our team across all levels of the organization, while multi-tasking against multiple critical priorities. Organized and experienced candidates with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment are encouraged to apply.

Major Tasks & Responsibilities

Stakeholder, Member & Partner Support

Assist with communication with stakeholders, members, and partners including scheduling meetings and appointments
Assist with the creation of written and verbal correspondence for partners: communicate with colleagues and clients on their behalf
Assist with planning and booking of designated partners’ travel
Have a strong understanding of state-wide and national time zones and booking meetings across multiple time zones.
Assist with scheduling and coordination of DriveElectricTN’s Associate Director’s work
Arrange lunches and catering for partner meetings
Manage email inboxes
Outreach to dealerships across the state about Certified EV Dealership Training

Executive Assistance and Administrative Support

Perform general administrative duties that may include photocopying, data entry, preparing and/or sorting mail, filing and document sorting
Assist the Associate Director in overall administration, planning, and supervision of DriveElectricTN
Plan, and book Drive Electric Tennessee Director travel as requested
Reception and front-of-house coverage when needed
Ensure meeting rooms and shared spaces properly booked, tidy, and organized prior to meetings
Cover administrative support for other members of the team during their leave
Assist with any office-wide events as necessary
Additional duties as assigned and agreed upon by both parties

Necessary Qualifications

Proficient computer skills in Microsoft and Google Business applications
Excellent organizational skills
Strong attention to detail and conscientious work ethic
Comfortable working with people at various levels of the organization
Ability to prioritize and rapidly learn new procedures and systems in a fast-paced environment
Experience with general office procedures
Willingness and ability to travel at least 10% of the time, occasionally overnight and on weekends
Valid driver’s license and good driving record
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee or willing to relocate
A passion for DriveElectricTN’s mission and values
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and understanding of key concepts
At least one year’s experience as an administrative assistant
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining work-life balance

Nice But Not Required

One to three years of experience in relevant field
One to three years of experience in project-based work, working on a team, and nonprofits (especially if related to transportation, energy, alternative fuels, or a related field)
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Existing relationships with relevant stakeholders (Foundations, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program, State and Local Government, Municipalities, Tennessee Department of Transportation, electric utilities, transportation agencies, charging companies, car companies, etc.)
Experience presenting at conferences either as a sole presenter or on a panel
Knowledge and/or interested in electric vehicles
Demonstrated experience collaborating with matrixed organizations; ability to use systems thinking and interpret complex stakeholder needs
Experience working for a non-profit organization with a mission-driven staff, committee, and working groups
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, web development, membership development and management are all a plus

Skills