Research Assistant

Responsibilities

The Institute for Building Technology is offering a great opportunity for the right person to serve as a Research Assistant and join the team in conducting market research activities to support energy studies in Puerto Rico. This is a temporary, part-time position, less than 30 hours per week with a duration of six or more months.    This is ideal for an intern/student seeking additional learning opportunities and professional development.

For the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau—which is responsible for regulating, monitoring, and enforcing Puerto Rico’s energy public policy—IBTS is assisting in conducting a first-of-its-kind, Island-wide study to analyze energy utilization and efficiency for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This data is necessary to inform development of Puerto Rico's first utility-run energy efficiency programs.

IBTS is also assisting the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in another study entitled the Puerto Rico Customer Interruption Cost Survey. For this project, IBTS is conducting interruption cost surveys of customers in Puerto Rico. The data collected will inform the development of LBNL’s resilience investment decision support tool for this island community, which will include the benefits of proposed investments in resilience. 

For both projects, IBTS was selected due to our significant understanding of the Island’s current energy landscape and our building product and construction related market research experience across the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The tasks for these projects include conducting in-depth interviews, surveys, and field assessments, as well as in-person, teleconference, and/or phone-based interviews with large commercial, industrial and public sector energy customers. Our study approach will ensure maximum engagement of diverse residential, commercial, and workforce populations across geographic areas.

The role of a Research Assistant is to:

• Collect research data.
• Arrange and conduct interviews and field assessments. These will include in-person and telephone interviews of property owners or lessees AND in-person inspection/review of any appliance or equipment consuming energy within the location. Assessments are noninvasive and interns will receive all training necessary to complete these.
• Record research data in accordance with specified protocol and procedures.
• Travel to various sites within a specified geographical area.
• Schedule & conduct telephone interviews and field assessments.

The Research Assistant will be required to:

• Assist in the development of interview schedules; contact potential subjects to introduce and explain study objectives and protocol, and to arrange interviews, either in person or by telephone.
• Independently travel to field sites to collect and record data as appropriate to the specific objectives.
• Conduct and record face-to-face and/or telephone interviews with subjects, in accordance with predetermined interview protocol, data collection procedures, and documentation standards.
• Use established research protocols, procedures, and techniques to collect and record field data; operate relevant research equipment.
• Review data to ensure completeness and accuracy of information; follow up with subjects to resolve problems or clarify data collected.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Puerto Rican driver's license.
• Must have own, reliable transportation.
• Pursuing a degree or trade certificate in a field related to energy and/or sustainability is preferred.

• Experience in, or currently studying fields related, but not limited to, any of the following:
  • Community planning
  • Sustainability and renewable energy
  • Civil /mechanical/electrical engineering
  • Research methods
  • Electrical studies
  • Construction and building sciences
  • Architecture
  • Disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery
  • Government or public administration
  • Marketing, communications, and social sciences

• Advanced communication skills.
  • Interviewing skills: ability to communicate effectively and professionally with community members—at residential and commercial sites.
  • English/Spanish spoken and written skills at an intermediate or advanced level.

• Ability to evaluate, verify, and report research data.
• Comfortable researching, networking and acquiring contacts for interviews.
• Self-motivated and energetic, can deliver strong results with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain quality and safety standards and to understand/apply specified field research procedures and protocols.

• Excellent administrative skills
• Outgoing with excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent phone and in-person communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent time management skills

Physical Demands

• Light physical effort. Requires handling of average-weight objects and some standing or walking.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as dirt and dust.
• The Institute for Building Technology and Safety provides all training required to execute position responsibilities.

Company Overview

Bring your passion, expertise, and experience to IBTS!

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established to provide unbiased professional building code compliance services, while enhancing the communities in which we work. At IBTS, our mission is to deliver quality services to meet the challenges of governance at all levels while enhancing public safety, economic development, and the general welfare of the community. Our services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability Services, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, as well as Compliance and Risk Monitoring.

IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.

We are committed to building a community of experts with diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives who are passionate about our mission. IBTS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer that maintains a diverse and inclusive workforce.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. This opportunity is open to Section S3 Residents.  Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Explore the opportunities!