Policy Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for an Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher to join the team.

The EMP Department conducts technical, economic, and policy analysis of energy topics centered on the U.S. electricity sector. Our research seeks to inform public and private decision-making on public-interest issues related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand flexibility, electricity system planning, electricity reliability and resilience, and utility regulation.

In this exciting role, you will develop and apply methods of conducting energy, economic, market, and/or technical research within an area of specialization that informs the development of energy/environmental policies (e.g., in support of a U.S. Department of Energy policy program). Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, you will define the needs of projects or advanced analyses and determine appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives.  You will lead research tasks and provide assistance to government decision-makers and stakeholders on complex issues and contribute to the development of departmental organizational goals and objectives. Must be available to travel as needed, domestically, typically 5-10 trips per year.

What You Will Do At Level 2:

• Manage one or more initiatives under the National Community Solar Partnership to support the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s efforts to expand access to affordable community solar.
• Conduct advanced applied research and provide technical assistance for DOE’s Connected Communities program. The program consists of pilot projects demonstrating how groups of grid-interactive efficient buildings can work together to reliably and cost-effectively serve as assets to the grid using diverse, flexible end-use equipment and other distributed energy resources (DERs) that collectively maximize building, community, and grid efficiency while meeting occupants’ comfort and needs. Conduct research to support scaling of developed solutions.
• Conduct analysis of data as required for in-depth evaluation of technical and policy topics.
• Develop or manage advanced research projects on electricity distribution system planning, electrification of buildings and transportation, distributed energy resources (DERs), and impacts of electrification and DERs on distribution systems.
• Assist in the development of short- and long-term research priorities and preparation of proposals and budgets to secure funding from the DOE and other sponsors to perform the research.
• Develop, assign, conduct, and manage work scopes, budgets, and tasks to ensure completion of projects on time and on budget.
• Provide technical assistance to state and local policymakers, state energy offices, utilities, and public utility commissions on energy efficiency, other DERs, electrification, and distribution system planning.
• Manage sub-contracts with external consultants.
• Develop partnerships and engage with industry stakeholders including building owners, operators, designers, builders, utilities, service providers, manufacturers, energy service companies, and others.
• Present research at conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to technical reports and other written products.

In addition to above, at Level 3:

• Lead one or more initiatives under the National Community Solar Partnership to support the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s efforts to expand access to affordable community solar.
• Lead the research team that provides technical assistance for DOE’s Connected Communities program. The program consists of pilot projects demonstrating how groups of grid-interactive efficient buildings can work together to reliably and cost-effectively serve as assets to the grid using diverse, flexible end-use equipment and other distributed energy resources (DERs) that collectively maximize building, community, and grid efficiency while meeting occupants’ comfort and needs. Conduct research to support scaling of developed solutions.
• Resolve complex issues for development and implementation of state and local policies and regulations and utility programs. 
• Direct analysis of data as required for  in-depth evaluation of complex technical and policy topics.
• Develop or direct advanced research projects on electricity distribution system planning, electrification of buildings and transportation, distributed energy resources (DERs), and impacts of electrification and DERs on distribution systems.
• Identify and define research needs and develop short- and long-term research priorities.  Prepare proposals and budgets to secure funding from the DOE and other sponsors to perform the research.
• Lead execution of projects. Develop, assign, conduct, and manage work scopes, budgets, and tasks to ensure completion of projects on time and on budget, and review and provide feedback on staff work.
• Present complex technical concepts, methods and results to policy makers and stakeholders at conferences and meetings.
• Write or oversee the writing of sections of policy documents and supporting technical documentation.  Describe details of analyses performed; prepare tables and figures for supporting documents.

Additional Responsibilities as needed at Level 3:

• May supervise the activities of exempt and nonexempt personnel.

What is Required at Level 2:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City & Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering, or a related discipline and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility in program administration, planning, and conducting research projects, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with electric utility regulation.
• Demonstrated experience with utility demand-side management programs.
• Demonstrated experience with distributed solar PV technologies and programs.
• Demonstrated experience with project management.
• Demonstrated experience with leading partnerships and managing day-to-day interactions with clients/funders, government agencies, industry partners and stakeholders.
• Knowledgeable and skilled in program/project planning, resource management (budget and staff) and scheduling.
• Demonstrated abilities to determine program requirements, estimate budget requirements, arrange for subcontracts where necessary, develop organizational and program plans.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proven ability to identify and obtain information from diverse sources, conduct interviews, lead the production of high-quality, policy-relevant reports, and collaborate with other researchers.
• Strong quantitative skills to conduct technical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality results on time and within budget.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary research methods and data analysis tools and techniques.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and provide clear technical and policy guidance to a project team.
• Ability to both work independently with minimal supervision and work effectively with a team.
• Proven ability to work on innovative R&D projects, including ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as work effectively with a multidisciplinary team. 
• Demonstrated familiarity with energy efficiency, demand response, electric power systems, and distributed resource programs and technologies.  

In addition to above, what is required at Level 3: 

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City & Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering, or a related discipline and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility in program administration, planning, and conducting research projects, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong technical skills to conduct technical analysis.

Desired Qualifications at Level 2:

• Ph.D degree in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering or a related field, or Master’s degree in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering or a related field with a minimum 3 years of experience.
• Professional experience, ideally working with utilities, states or local governments, on community solar development, programs or policies; energy efficiency; demand flexibility; and energy storage systems and technologies.
• Demonstrated experience with using energy-related software tools, datasets and/or databases, and engineering, environmental, or energy system models. 
• Demonstrated familiarity with distribution system planning and/or operations.
• Familiarity with programming languages.

In addition to above, desired qualifications at Level 3: 

• Ph.D degree in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering or a related field with a minimum of 3 years of experience, or Master’s degree in Energy & Resources, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, City and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering or a related field with a minimum 6 years of experience.

For full consideration, please apply by April 13, 2023.

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Level 2: The full salary range for this position is $105,480.00 - $128,916.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $111,343.80 - $123,064.20. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group. 
• Level 3: The full salary range for this position is $130,680.00 - $159,720.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $137,940.00 - $152,460.00. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• This position is eligible for a flexible work mode, with onsite or hybrid work being the preferred modes, though full-time telework or remote work modes may be considered. Hybrid work is a combination of teleworking and performing work on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

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