Are you interested in helping shape state and utility policy to accelerate energy decarbonization and increase equity in our communities? ACEEE works with state agencies and utilities to combat the climate crisis and deliver energy savings to communities across the country. Join our effort to maximize the use of energy efficiency as an equitable climate solution.
ACEEE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980, develops transformative policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change. With our independent analyses, we aim to build a vibrant and equitable economy that uses energy more efficiently, reduces costs, protects the environment, and promotes the health, safety, and well-being of everyone. ACEEE seeks an experienced candidate for its state and utility policy program.
An ideal candidate will have significant experience with electric utility regulation. We welcome candidates who can evaluate utility program offerings or state programs, and who can develop innovative ideas to expand and accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency. The position will be best served by a person who is interested in identifying the gap between what exists today and what is possible in energy efficiency programs, and in developing solutions to bridge the gap. We seek a candidate who can position energy efficiency as a decarbonization tool and as a grid resource and who understands the importance of considering equity in the design and implementation of energy efficiency programs.
ACEEE’s organizational culture is collaborative and team-oriented with a strong commitment to its mission. Staff work at an energetic pace within a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. There is a high degree of workplace flexibility, with an emphasis on results, making ACEEE an enjoyable and fulfilling place to work. ACEEE is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and weaving equity into our research and policy work.
Position Description:
The senior analyst/researcher will help advance ACEEE’s national presence in state and utility energy efficiency research and policy, and the person will oversee major ACEEE research related to energy efficiency policies or programs driven by utilities or state agencies. This person is expected to produce high-quality work products with minimal direction and to contribute to achieving or advancing ACEEE’s strategic plan goals, program objectives, and key initiatives such as Climate-Forward Efficiency and Leading with Equity.
The senior analyst/researcher designs and manages project budgets and ensures deliverables are met on time and within budget, providing effective and collaborative solutions to problems that arise. The person in this role represents ACEEE externally and effectively communicates its research and policy perspectives to the public and relevant stakeholders.
The senior analyst/researcher works in a team environment and with research and policy staff in other programs, including executive and administrative staff, contributing to cross-program projects and coordinating the support of staff in other programs. In leading research projects, the person provides guidance or advice to coworkers assigned to the projects, and the person may supervise the work of contractors and interns.
The senior analyst/researcher provides technical assistance to state policymakers, utilities, and energy efficiency advocates on policy or program ideas that will advance the deployment of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency or state agency programs.
The senior analyst/researcher helps the program achieve its strategic plan objectives by providing input on strategic direction, identifying research priorities, and increasing research capacity. The person interacts with funders and potential funders and helps develop new funding sources.
Essential Functions/Major Areas of Responsibility:
- Conducts research that advances ACEEE’s strategic plan, program objectives, and key initiatives such as Climate-Forward Efficiency and Leading with Equity; uses quantitative and qualitative data; is rigorous in methodology; produces credible and useful findings; and is subject to internal and external review
- Authors reports, white papers, fact sheets, topic/policy briefs, and blog posts that will help advance state and utility energy efficiency policy and programs, as well as ACEEE’s strategic plan and key initiatives
- Leads the development of, or provides support and advice on, the program’s key periodic publications, such as ACEEE’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, Utility Efficiency Scorecard, and State Energy Efficiency Policy Database
- Develops and maintains close relationships with a network of stakeholders at the state level to inform research and broaden the reach of ACEEE research
- Educates policymakers, businesses, and advocates and provides input on state and utility energy efficiency policies and programs including rulemakings and legislation
- Persuasively communicates ACEEE’s research findings and policy perspectives to the public, stakeholders, and policymakers via webinars, presentations, press interviews, facilitated discussions, blogs, editorials, etc.
- Supports and collaborates with ACEEE staff members on cross-cutting research projects or other tasks
- Maintains awareness of and tracks emerging opportunities or threats, in terms of external events or policy discussions, that are relevant to state and utility energy efficiency policies and programs
- Builds on ACEEE’s research to provide technical assistance to policymakers, program implementers, and advocates
- Independently manages concurrent projects to ensure that project outputs are delivered on time and within budget
- Assists with team-building efforts and recruitment and possibly oversees the hiring and management of an intern as needed
Specific Responsibilities of the Job:
This position requires the senior analyst/researcher to engage in large research projects in multiple roles. The senior analyst/researcher will lead and manage projects while also contributing to other projects in various roles at the same time. Research projects most often result in peer-reviewed written research reports, but other project deliverables include web content, fact sheets, formal presentations, webinars, press interviews, blog posts, editorials, and others. Focusing on policy areas such as utility regulation, state government policies, and energy efficiency for low-income communities, the senior analyst/researcher will be at the heart of one of ACEEE’s dynamic, multidisciplinary programs.
This position also requires the development of technical assistance materials, including presentations, memos, and formal comments to outside stakeholders on matters related to sound energy efficiency policies and programs. The position requires balancing time between ongoing research projects and technical assistance requests, and guiding teams of experts with varying backgrounds to complete research projects of varying size and scope. Oversight of large research projects requires the senior analyst/researcher to ensure project deliverables stay on schedule and within the prescribed budget.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Competencies):
The position requires several skillsets. It requires excellent analytical and data skills, the ability to engage in critical thinking and complex problem-solving, project management and time management skills, the ability to identify strategies to effect change, and persuasive written and oral communication skills. It also requires the ability to collaborate and facilitate consensus-driven discussions, and to identify and solve problems constructively as they arise. Some of the key competencies are as follows:
- Ability to identify problems and solutions relevant to ACEEE’s strategic goals, key initiatives, and program priorities
- Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and facilitation of consensus-driven, problem-solving discussions
- Qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, and experience with Excel and other modeling tools, including management of large datasets including data quality control
- Ability to work on several concurrent projects and triage deliverables based on prioritized deadlines
- Persuasive communication in writing and in person for various members of the public, e.g., consumers, utilities, energy service providers, utility regulators, legislators, funders
- Ability to identify opportunities and threats to achieving program goals and objectives, and to be resourceful in developing program or policy solutions to increase the deployment of energy efficiency
Job Requirements:
- General familiarity with, and interest in, the current status of state or utility energy efficiency policies and programs
- General familiarity with, and interest in, utility regulatory framework and regulatory procedures
- Knowledge of energy efficiency program implementation and evaluation
- General familiarity with, and interest in, the current policy landscape of energy decarbonization and climate change in the United States
- General familiarity with, and interest in, the need for equitable policies and environmental justice in the energy sector
Minimum Required Education and Experience:
- A degree in a relevant field including policy, energy, engineering, or science preferred
- Bachelor’s degree required and four years of relevant experience, or
- A master’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or
- A PhD with one year of relevant experience
- At least two years of work experience in the energy utility sector, including demonstrated project management
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or other modeling or analytical tools
- Experience with data management, including organizing and synthesizing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data
- Demonstrated ability to undertake complex analysis and research projects
- Experience with or firm knowledge of energy efficiency programs in the utility sector
- Experience facilitating constructive discussions with stakeholders
Supervisory Responsibility
This position requires oversight of complex projects, often consisting of multiple team member contributions and the input of external stakeholders. No direct supervision of other employees is required, but the senior analyst/researcher is required to oversee team member contributions during completion of research projects, and to supervise the work of interns on occasion.
Preferred start date: on or about March 2023, based in Washington, DC, and will consider candidates in remote locations. A person in this position will need to travel occasionally.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary range is $61,818 – $98,810. ACEEE’s generous benefits package includes health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage; a 403(b)-retirement plan; transportation and bike share benefits; three weeks of vacation in the first year and four weeks thereafter.
To apply: Click the link below to use the Paylocity recruitment portal. Be sure to send a cover letter, resume and brief (1–2 pages) writing sample. We do not accept phone calls.
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ACEEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. ACEEE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in its organization and encourages applicants with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.