Local Policy Analyst, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy – Washington, DC

Organization: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Position Title: Research Analyst, Local Policy

Location: Washington, DC

Dates: Preferred start date: on or about August 1, 2015, based in Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline: Apply immediately; position open until filled

Description: ACEEE seeks a research analyst to focus on community energy efficiency for its Utilities, State, and Local Policy Program. The position provides a balance of research, analysis, and outreach on energy efficiency policy in the United States as it relates to greater energy affordability and local economic development in low-income communities and communities of color. Efficiency policy issues within the scope of the position include low-income energy efficiency initiatives, the role of local-level engagement in long-term planning for emissions reductions and utility business models, community resilience, utility energy data access, and smart cities. ACEEE’s local policy work also emphasizes issues of local job creation, economic development, and environmental health benefits of energy efficiency to support the growth of sustainable and equitable communities.

The research analyst will have a variety of research opportunities in one of ACEEE’s most dynamic and multi-disciplinary programs. The core responsibilities of the position include:

• Engaging community-based organizations that are working on issues related to energy, the environment, and/or climate change. This engagement will guide ACEEE’s outreach and technical assistance to utilities, local governments, and metropolitan agencies around strategies to achieve greater energy savings in their communities and to improve energy affordability.
• Supporting new research on energy efficiency as a strategy to enhance the resilience of energy systems and the communities they serve, with an emphasis on low-income communities.
• Providing and tracking technical assistance on topics such as affordable housing and local. government-utility engagement, in coordination with other ACEEE subject-matter experts.
• Collecting data and developing metrics regarding household energy affordability.
• Contributing to the biennial City Energy Efficiency Scorecard and the related local policy database, which provide peer comparisons among US cities on energy efficiency policy and performance metrics.
• Coordinating and leading work on policies for access to energy data by third parties, best practices for application of data in building analytics and energy management systems, and the use of “big data” in program and policy planning and implementation in the buildings, utilities, and transportation sectors.
• Supporting ACEEE’s research on smart cities, including research into city energy performance and city energy management systems.

Working at ACEEE, the research analyst will contribute to projects of high visibility and credibility in the energy efficiency, technology and policy communities. As a researcher and project coordinator, the position offers unmatched access to national experts in energy efficiency as well as critical sources of primary data at government agencies and utilities. It also provides an opportunity to develop expertise and leadership experience on one or more topics of energy efficiency policy and programs. ACEEE and its Utilities, State and Local Policy Program are dynamic, growing, and comprised of a highly motivated and collegial team.

Responsibilities:

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented. The analyst will conduct rigorous and peer-reviewed primary research dealing with complex quantitative and qualitative data.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills. The analyst is expected to produce several detailed research reports, white papers, fact sheets, and blog posts on energy efficiency policy and programs, and present the research results at a wide range of policy and public forums.
• Superb organizational and project coordination skills. The position requires experience coordinating complex, long-term projects independently and as part of teams. The analyst must also balance multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills. He/she will maintain close relationships with a large network of stakeholders across the country in federal, state, local government and in the private sector to inform research and broaden the reach of ACEEE research and technical assistance. The analyst must also coordinate and collaborate with numerous ACEEE staff members on cross-cutting research projects.
• Articulate and thoughtful. As an author of highly visible reports, the analyst will conduct media interviews and present at conferences and events. The analyst must be able to clearly explain research and positions to laypeople, other experts, and skeptical audiences.
• Highly motivated, self-starter.
• Tech-savvy and quick learner. The analyst will have to consult with other ACEEE staff to stay apprised of energy efficiency policy and program developments in the utility, buildings, transportation, and industrial sectors. The analyst will also contribute to pages on ACEEE’s website including those related to Local Energy Efficiency Policy.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social, political or natural sciences.
• Rigorous coursework in public policy analysis, environmental justice, urban planning, energy policy, and/or economics.
• Either Master’s degree or two or more years of work experience, with demonstrated project coordination and leadership experience and significant experience with quantitative analysis.

Strongly preferred:

• Experience in policy analysis or planning, including work on local government, utilities, energy, and/or environmental policy
• Experience with facilitating learning across networks or working groups of peer organizations, stakeholders, or representative from multiple professional communities
• Experience with quantitative analysis
• Demonstrated passion for clean energy, environmental justice, economic development, or environmental issues
• Experience with or sound knowledge of energy efficiency

How to Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and brief (1-2 pages) writing sample to [email protected] and use “Local PolicyAnalyst“ in the subject line. We do not accept phone calls.