Job Description

Are you passionate about addressing the climate crisis and helping households save money on utility bills? If so, then join our growing team and help cut carbon emissions from buildings. At the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), you’ll be part of an organization that makes a difference and delivers energy savings to communities across the country.

ACEEE, a leading national research organization based in Washington, DC, seeks a building decarbonization program and research assistant to enhance energy efficiency and decarbonization in buildings and homes. Our efforts drive policy and program innovation among local and state governments, utilities, and critical private-sector stakeholders.

About ACEEE:

ACEEE conducts independent analysis and develops transformative polices to build a vibrant and equitable economy that uses energy more productively, protects the environment, and promotes the health, safety, and well-being of everyone.

ACEEE’s organizational culture is collaborative and team-oriented with a strong commitment to its mission. Staff work at an energetic pace within a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. There is a high degree of workplace flexibility, with an emphasis on results, making ACEEE an enjoyable and fulfilling place to work. ACEEE is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion while weaving equity into our research and policy work.

Position Description:

The research assistant will be a member of ACEEE’s Buildings program, providing research, outreach, and support to research projects to scale up energy efficiency as the basis for decarbonization in buildings. ACEEE’s Buildings program covers a variety of topics: zero-energy and zero-carbon new construction, retrofits, embodied carbon, affordable housing, electrification, and advanced building technologies.

The research assistant will have a variety of research opportunities, working with a well-respected and widely recognized team of buildings efficiency experts and collaborating with other programs across a dynamic organization. They will focus on research as well as technical assistance to states, localities and other stakeholders, with support and guidance from senior researchers and managers. Analysis will include considerations of building science, engineering, architecture, and market transformation in programs and policies (i.e., federal, state, local, utility). The research assistant will work on projects of high visibility and credibility in the energy efficiency, technology, and policy communities. The position offers unmatched access to national experts in energy efficiency, as well as an opportunity to develop expertise and experience on one or more buildings energy efficiency topics.

Core Responsibilities:

• Conducts research to support evaluation of new technologies, practices, programs, and policies to advance energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings
• Contributes to analysis and stakeholder engagement
• Provides administrative support to Buildings program staff, including data collection, data entry, meeting logistics, and conference program coordination
• Provides research assistance to projects where ACEEE’s program areas overlap, which may include buildings-related federal policy analysis and state and local technical assistance

Expectations:

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented. The research assistant will conduct research dealing with complex quantitative and qualitative data.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills. The research assistant will contribute to detailed research reports, white papers, fact sheets, and regulatory comments, and to presentation materials including formal presentations, webinars, and blog posts.
• Organizational and project coordination skills. The position requires skills in coordinating work on complex, long-term projects. The research assistant must also balance multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills. The research assistant will coordinate and collaborate with numerous ACEEE staff members on buildings and cross-cutting research projects as well as external colleagues and stakeholders.
• Highly motivated, self-starter. The research assistant must show initiative and be able to work independently.
• Tech-savvy and quick learner. The research assistant will need to consult with other ACEEE staff to stay apprised of energy efficiency policies and programs. The assistant will also contribute to pages on ACEEE’s website.

Qualifications:

•  Sound knowledge relevant to buildings including building science, engineering, architecture, market transformation, and workforce development
• Demonstrated ability to collect and disseminate large amounts of data and information
• Professionalism, poise, and the ability to work as part of a team, maintain a sense of humor, and interact with a diverse array of people, including high-level stakeholders
• Excellent organization skills including facilitation and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Required Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, public policy, environmental studies, or another similar field
• Rigorous coursework in building science, energy and environmental policy, and/or engineering
• Interest in technology and technical concepts
• Experience with, or sound knowledge of, energy efficiency
• Demonstrated passion for clean energy, green and healthy housing, or environmental issues

Preferred start date: October 2023. The position is located in Washington, DC, or can be remote.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary range is $46K – 66K.  ACEEE’s generous benefits package includes health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan; transportation and bike-share benefits; three weeks of vacation in the first year and four weeks thereafter.

How to Apply

To apply: Please click here to use the Paylocity Recruitment portal. Be sure to submit your cover letter and resume. We do not accept phone calls or emails about the position. 

Please let us know how you heard of this opening.

ACEEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. ACEEE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in its organization and encourages applicants with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.

Job Categories: Energy Efficiency. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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