Senior Energy Analyst

over 2 years ago
Full time role
Cambridge, MA, US... more
Cambridge, MA, US... more

Job Description

Senior Energy Analyst

Climate and Energy Program

Union of Concerned Scientists

Washington, DC, Cambridge, MA or Chicago, IL

The Position

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists, and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Working at UCS means advancing solutions and advocating for policies which are backed by the best data, research, and technical expertise.

At this pivotal point in the climate crisis, it’s time for bold action—and a swift and just transition to a clean-energy economy. The Union of Concerned Scientists is accepting applications for a Senior Energy Analyst who will help realize this vision, using data-driven approaches to inform and engage policymakers to modernize our electric grid, and create real change.

At UCS, we’re excited about the unprecedented opportunities ahead: with dramatic progress in renewable energy and energy storage, the potential to expand and upgrade energy transmission and distribution systems, and the emergence of strong options for electrifying buildings and transportation. We’re committed to enacting policies that create a just and equitable transition to a renewable energy future, and to broadening and diversifying the voices shaping energy decisions. As a Senior Energy Analyst, you would help drive this effort. You will help lead research and advocacy efforts to shape energy markets and policies to modernize the US electric grid and facilitate the transition away from dirty fossil fuels that disproportionately affect the health and well-being of low-income communities and communities of color.

Responsibilities

  • Conducting research and analysis and providing technical insights in support of UCS energy campaigns on various legislative, regulatory, and market initiatives affecting the electric industry and a modernized power grid.
  • Writing reports and other materials appropriate to their intended audiences highlighting the results of various analyses.
  • Helping to define and advance UCS policy positions and strategy to successfully influence desired regulatory and legislative outcomes.
  • Supporting UCS justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts by conducting analyses and recommending policy approaches to foster inclusiveness, deliver greater benefits to underserved communities, and reduce exposure to negative health and environmental impacts from a clean energy transition, and by providing a supportive and welcoming environment that addresses the needs of diverse sets of stakeholders.
  • Working with our campaign team to help plan, coordinate, and implement strategies, tactics, and projects that persuade regulators and policymakers to make decisions in line with UCS desired goals and preferred solutions.
  • Developing and delivering comments and testimony before national and state regulatory commissions, legislative committees, other government agencies and commissions, and market operators.
  • This may include market rules and rate structures, transmission and distribution planning, reliability impacts, and the integration and expansion of clean energy technologies—such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, microgrids, demand response, and distributed generation—onto the grid.
  • Establishing and maintaining alliances with advocates, environmental and energy justice organizations and community leaders, clean energy businesses, academics, and researchers at government agencies, to exchange information and resources, advance shared objectives, and engage in collaborative projects.
  • Serving as a UCS spokesperson on energy and grid-related issues in hearings, conferences, workshops, stakeholder negotiations, and other public forums, and writing regular posts for the UCS blog to contribute to campaign goals and provide an expert viewpoint.
  • Working with our media team to develop messages for key aspects of our climate and energy work.
  • Giving media print, radio, and TV interviews, and writing LTEs and op-eds about issues related to your expertise.
  • Supporting fundraising efforts by contributing to proposals and reports and meeting with potential donors.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

The position requires seven to ten years of comparable and relevant experience, including background in electricity markets, energy analysis and advocacy, climate, and energy policy development—with emphasis on renewable energy and power grids—and a master’s degree. Other requirements are:

  • Strong and demonstrated research, technical, and analytic skills.
  • Strong skills in project management, public contact, and policy negotiation.
  • Excellent writing and public speaking skills, specifically the ability to convey technical issues to policymakers, advocates, media, and the issue public.
  • Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a deep commitment to advancing these values.
  • Experience in energy regulatory agencies and regional power market design and governance processes, familiarity with regulatory processes and rulemakings, and facility with writing regulatory comments and testifying are a plus, but not required.

Little or no exertion required. May spend extended periods at the computer.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time position based in either of UCS’s Cambridge, Chicago, or Washington, DC, offices. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $85,000. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

A note on the pandemic:

During the coronavirus pandemic our staff are working from home. We will resume working from our offices, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

Deadline: until filled

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