Background:
WRI’s Energy Program speeds the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by helping to build clean energy markets and change institutions. The US Energy team focuses on the decarbonization of the power and transportation sectors, with a focus on working with cities, large energy buyers, and utilities. We take public commitments as a starting point and push forward policies, projects, and programs that accelerate and deliver change on the ground.
The U.S. Energy Program’s work includes supporting cities with ambitious clean energy through the City Renewables Accelerator program under the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge and other related projects. Our team helps cities meet their renewable energy purchasing goals, develop renewables deployment strategies and support purchasing approaches that are most relevant and impactful for the circumstances of our city partners.
WRI’s support also includes organizing and supporting cohorts of cities working on similar purchasing strategies, developing tools and guidance documents, organizing training, and supporting peer learning events to help cities secure renewable energy to decarbonize their electricity supply.
Our U.S. Energy program also addresses market barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy needed to transition to a low carbon electricity grid. We work with utilities to implement new programs, rates, or products to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and other forms of clean energy. We also focus on removing market and institutional barriers to clean energy deployment. We also undertake primary research on renewable energy and clean energy technologies to identify barriers to deployment, articulate successes, and identify policies or programs needed to accelerate adoption.
This research includes barriers to solar and wind development, pathways for expanding electric vehicle adoption, new financing mechanisms, utility planning, and evolution of storage technology. Increasingly, WRI is integrating equity and social justice concerns into all of its work supporting the clean energy transition to ensure it benefits all.
Job Description:
In this role, you will support WRI’s domestic projects energy projects including our support to cities to help them meet their renewable energy goals. You will also provide broad research that supports the Energy Program in the areas of:
- Expanded and accelerated decarbonization by the utility sector and large buyers, and
- Transportation electrification and impact on the electrical grid.
You will write briefs and short background notes to support meetings, contribute to blogs and WRI knowledge products, engage with utilities, energy buyers, regulators, and other stakeholders, and support staff senior team members as they expand WRI’s work to create and scale clean energy solutions. This is a unique opportunity to deepen and evolve your understanding of how various stakeholders within the utility industry are driving clean energy adoption and contribute to analysis that has a meaningful impact on the decarbonization of the power sector.
This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI’s office in Washington, DC once restrictions have been lifted.
Responsibilities:
Research & Knowledge Products (35%)
- Leading qualitative or quantitative analysis (including financial modeling/analysis) related to clean energy to support project as needed s Producing knowledge products (e.g. reports, briefs, data products) with senior guidance and adhering to WRI’s quality guidelines
- Authoring or co-authoring blog posts and other communication documents. Reviewing knowledge products written by other WRI researchers and external partners. Developing high quality and impactful research products
Project management and Stakeholder Engagement (35%)
- Interacts with utilities, cities, government staff, NGOs, and other stakeholders to achieve project objectives
- Coordinates stakeholder convenings and leads meetings designed to achieve project objectives and address barriers to clean energy deployment
- Monitors and manages product deliverables, setting and clarifying priorities for team members
- Contributing to research and fundraising proposals
- Monitors and manages project budget, tracks progress on deliverables and milestones, and donor reporting
- Completes institutional and donor reporting for projects, including project outcomes
- Mentors junior staff and researchers
- Oversees and manages financial performance data
Communications/Administrative (30%)
- Creating communications for influence targets, particularly timely pieces that distill longer-term research and opportunities for action such as the monthly state update and webinar content
- Engaging in public speaking on technical issues related to the program’s work
- Develop or support development of program communications, such as web content, narrative development and other influence tools
- Lead or support WRI events, stakeholder convenings, and presentations
- Coordinate internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences and other dissemination activities
- Liaise with external partners and WRI colleagues across programs
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field such as environmental studies, economics, policy, sustainability, or engineering (or BA degree and a minimum of 2 years additional relevant experience)
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience
- Experience or understanding of energy, electricity policy, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and utility and regulatory processes
- Excellent research, analytical, and computer skills Preferred experience in financial and economic analysis, and utility rates
- Excellent data collection and management skills—e.g., through Microsoft Excel or similar
- Strong writing and proofreading skills
- Strong oral communications skills and coordination skills
- Convening skills preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
- Commitment to WRI’s mission
- Excellent qualitative and quantitative research and writing skills
- Prior experience in writing briefs and research products, ability to do interviews and journal based research preferred
- US work authorization is required for this opportunity
Potential Salary:
$59,000 – $77,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. Click here to apply.