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 problemsfrom 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 actionand 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 technologiessuch as renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, microgrids, demand response, and distributed generationonto 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 electrici