Overview

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

  • Science in the service of people and the planet.
  • Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
  • Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
  • Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
  • Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
  • Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s Climate & Energy Program

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking a Senior Energy Analyst to help realize a rapid and equitable transition to a clean-energy economy with an emphasis on the Midwest region.

At UCS and in our Climate & Energy Program, 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, policies, and regulations to modernize the electric grid and facilitate the transition away from polluting fossil fuels that disproportionately affect the health and well-being of low-income communities and communities of color.

The Position

Responsibilities

  • Conduct research and analysis and provide technical insights on various legislative, regulatory, and market initiatives affecting the electric industry and a modernized power grid.
  • This may include market rules and rate structures, transmission and distribution planning, reliability and resilience impacts, phasing out of gas and other fossil fuel generation, and the integration and expansion of clean energy technologies onto the grid such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, microgrids, demand response, and distributed generation.
  • Write and review reports and other materials highlighting the results of various analyses that are appropriate to both technical and lay audiences.
  • Work with the campaign team to help plan, coordinate, and implement strategies, tactics, and projects in support of campaign goals.
  • Support UCS’ justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts by carrying out research objectives and recommending policy approaches that foster inclusiveness, deliver greater benefits to underserved communities, and reduce exposure to negative health and environmental impacts from a clean energy transition.
  • Influence the development and implementation of policies and strategies within government and non-government institutions and businesses to advance the deployment of renewable energy and accelerate the development of a modern, flexible, resilient, equitable, and clean electricity grid.
  • Develop and deliver comments and testimony before regulatory commissions, legislative committees, other government agencies and commissions, and market operators.
  • Respond to inquiries and comments from policymakers, media, frontline and environmental justice communities, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Establish and maintain alliances with advocates, environmental and energy justice organizations and community leaders, clean energy businesses, academics, and researchers, including regulatory and legislative staff and governmental agencies, to exchange information, share resources, advance shared objectives, engage in collaborative projects, and participate in related clean energy coalitions.
  • Develop and effectively promote UCS supported positions with senior government officials, legislators, regulators, opinion leaders, stakeholders, non-traditional allies, coalition partners, public and media representatives at local, state, regional, and national levels.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Position requires five to seven years of comparable relevant experience, such as background in electricity markets, energy analysis and advocacy, and climate and energy policy development, a demonstrated commitment to the application of science to public policy, especially on climate and energy issues, and the ability to thoughtfully address and advance issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Position also requires broad and sophisticated knowledge of the electricity sector and climate and energy policy, with emphasis on renewable energy and power grids, including technologies, policies and market structures, and their political/social/environmental/economic ramifications, acquired through a master’s degree program (or equivalent experience) in a relevant area such as public policy, economics, science, engineering, law, or related field. Other requirements are:

  • Strong and demonstrated research, technical, and analytic skills.
  • Strong and effective communication skills; specifically, the ability to convey technical issues to policymakers, advocates, media, and the public, including through the lens of equity and justice.

Experience in state and/or federal energy regulatory agencies and regional power market design and governance processes, familiarity with regulatory processes and rulemakings, facility with writing regulatory comments and testifying is preferred. Strong skills in project management, public relations, and policy negotiation desired.

May spend extended periods at computer. Moderate domestic travel, consisting of up to 1–2 overnight trips per quarter.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote-eligible position with a preference for proximity to the Midwest. It also has the option for the successful candidate to be based in UCS’s Cambridge, Chicago, or Washington, DC offices. Hybrid work with some time spent in one of UCS’s offices is also possible. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $90,601 to $101,930. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.

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