Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL ) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for an Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR4) 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 lead advanced research projects involving energy, economic, market, and/or technical research that informs the development of energy/environmental policies (e.g., in support of a U.S. Department of Energy policy program). You will ensure the timely conveyance of all project deliverables, including technical documents and analyses, policy memos, briefing materials, and ad hoc requests from policy makers and stakeholders. The EEPR4 will provide strategic advice to policy makers on policy and technical issues and maintain strong relationships with policy makers, funders, and collaborators.

What You Will Do:

• Lead advanced research on electric distribution systems, utility regulation, demand flexibility, aggregations of distributed energy resources (ADER), virtual power plants (VPPs), electrification impacts, and rate design.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining research objectives, approaches, and methods, including for new or special projects or assignments, with primary responsibility for determining objectives of work.
• Resolve complex issues related to state and local policies and utility programs.
• Direct the design and application of sophisticated analytical methods, and direct analysis of data as required for in-depth evaluation of technical and policy topics that inform the development of energy policies.
• Identify and define research needs and develop short- and long-term research priorities. Prepare proposals and budgets to secure funding from 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, and review and provide feedback on staff work.
• Provide technical assistance to state and local policymakers, state energy offices, utilities, and public utility commissions on electric distribution systems, utility regulation, demand flexibility, ADERs, VPPs, electrification impacts, and rate design.
• Manage subcontracts with consultants.
• Present complex technical concepts, methods, and results to policymakers and stakeholders at conferences and meetings.
• Lead development and drafting of technical reports and other written products.
• Lead the conceptualization and development of one or more program workstreams, with primary responsibility for raising funding and maintaining funder relationships, primary responsibility for determining project objectives, and overall responsibility for execution of project tasks.
• Lead the development of resolutions to significant, unique problems. Exercise independent judgment in methods and techniques for obtaining results.
• Participate in development of specific organizational goals and objectives.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders and collaborators.
• Directly supervise project staff and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Hold Principal Investigator status upon completing training and travel as needed (5-10 trips per year).

What is Required:

• 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 12 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 DER technologies and programs.
• Broad familiarity with policies, programs, regulations, and initiatives to decarbonize the energy sector.
• Demonstrated experience with leading partnerships and managing day-to-day interactions with clients/funders, government agencies, industry partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with project management; 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.
• Demonstrated experience with energy system planning.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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 8 years of experience, or 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 5 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 experience with distribution system planning or operations.
• Demonstrated experience with grid resilience planning or projects.

Requested Application Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Publication list (to include: DOE, CEC, and other technical reports, technical support documents, policy memos, technical standards, journal articles, and software tools)

Finalists will be required to provide a:

• Statement of Policy Research and Impact and present on this in a research seminar
• (Optional) Names and contact information of up to three individuals who can write letters of reference

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• The full salary range for this position is $164,724.00 - $247,332.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $173,861.40 - $192,162.60 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.

Berkeley Lab is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.