Policy Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s Energy Markets & Policy Department has an opening for a Policy Researcher to join the team.

The Energy Markets and Policy 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 apply energy, economic, and/or technical methods to conduct research that contributes to the development and implementation of energy policies (e.g., in support of a U.S. Department of Energy policy program). Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, you will gather and process data, perform analyses and develop appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives. You will conduct research, provide technical assistance to government decision-makers on complex issues, and contribute to the development of departmental organizational goals and objectives.

What You Will Do At Level 1:

• Contribute to research projects that assess progress toward achieving state and national energy goals such as electrification, decarbonization, grid modernization, affordability and resilience; document state requirements for electric distribution system planning and assess best planning practices; and evaluate policies and programs for distributed energy resources.
• Identify, collect, and analyze data for in-depth evaluation of technical and policy topics.
• Contribute to work plans and complete project tasks on time and on budget.
• Contribute to technical assistance for public utility commissions and state energy offices on electric distribution system planning and distributed energy resources programs and policies.
• Prepare presentation material on technical analysis for public audiences, including policy stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical reports and other written products.
• Must be available to travel as needed, domestically, up to 5 trips a year.
  
  

In Addition To Above, At Level 2:

• Prepare and present research at conferences and meetings.
• Make significant contributions to technical reports and other written products.
• Provide technical support and guidance to staff including reviewing and providing feedback on their work to improve technical quality.
• Develop, conduct, and manage advanced research projects.
• Develop, assign, and manage work scopes, budgets, and tasks to ensure completion of projects on time and on budget.
• Collaborate with project funders and partners.
• Develop scopes of work and budgets for subcontracts and manage subcontractors.
• 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 research.
  
  

What Is Required At Level 1:

• 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 2 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 in the electricity sector, at a utility, utility regulatory commission, state energy office, utility consumer office, or other organization involved in electricity policies, regulations, and programs.
• Broad familiarity with policies, programs, regulations, and initiatives to decarbonize the energy sector.
• Demonstrated experience with conducting day-to-day interactions with clients/funders, government agencies, industry partners and stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proven ability to identify and obtain information from diverse sources, conduct interviews, make substantive contributions to high-quality, policy-relevant data analysis and 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 both work independently with minimal supervision and work effectively with a team.
  
  

In Addition To Above, 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 project management; knowledgeable and skilled in program/project planning, resource management (budget and staff) and scheduling.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

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

For full consideration, please apply by Friday, June 1, 2024.

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, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.
• Salary Range Level 1: The full salary range for this position is $91,416.00 - $111,732.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $96,504.00 -$106,656.00. 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.
• Salary Range Level 2: The full salary range for this position is $108,228.00 - $132,264.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $114,240.00 -$126,264.00. 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.
  
  

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) 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.

Salary : $91,416 - $111,732