This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in our Washington DC office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Program:
WRI’s Energy Program speeds the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by building clean energy markets and change institutions. The U.S. Energy team focuses on decarbonization of the power and transportation sectors, with a focus of working with large energy buyers, utilities, and local and state governments. The team focuses on effective implementation of new federal funding and programs through IRA and BIL to accelerate equitable deployment of clean energy. Our team undertakes primary research on renewable energy and clean energy technologies to identify barriers to deployment, articulate successes, and identify policies or programs needed to accelerate adoption and achieve 100% clean energy in the power sector. This research covers barriers to clean energy development, the need to expand and improve the grid to enable the energy transition, how to expand equitable access to clean energy, pathways to expanding electrification, and how to encourage adoption of new technologies to enable the pathway to 100% clean energy. Increasingly, WRI is integrating equity and social justice concerns into all of its work supporting the clean energy transition to ensure it benefits all. We focus on removing market and institutional barriers to clean energy deployment through efforts to enable cities to have a stronger voice on wholesale power market and grid issues. We also lead initiatives to encourage both new transmission build as well as approaches to increase the capacity of the existing transmission system, such as through use of advanced technologies. Our work on grid-related issues includes developing knowledge products, hosting convenings, and educating and engaging with policymakers. The U.S. Energy Program’s work includes supporting cities with ambitious clean energy goals through programs such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) and SolSmart prorgams, and the City Renewables Accelerator. C2C, for example, is a multi-million-dollar federal technical assistance program that provides participants – including local governments, tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations – with expertise and tools to support clean energy deployment. As part of C2C, WRI runs peer-learning groups and plays a significant role in the design, recruitment, selection, content development, workshop execution, and individual technical assistance efforts to make the project a success. Our team also helps cities develop renewables deployment strategies and advance purchasing approaches that are most relevant and impactful to their circumstances. WRI’s support includes organizing and supporting cohorts of cities working on clean energy, grid, and electrification issues, developing tools and guidance documents, organizing trainings, and supporting peer learning events to help cities secure renewable energy to decarbonize their electricity supply. Moving forward, WRI intends to continue our technical assistance to cities and states to support innovative efforts to navigate and utilize federal funding opportunities and grants for clean energy planning, program design and project development.
Job Highlight:
Reporting to the Senior Manager, you will support WRI’s U.S. Energy team, which focuses on accelerating an equitable transition to clean energy. You will provide research that supports the Energy Program in expanding deployment of clean energy, accelerating electrification, and decarbonizing the electricity sector in the United States. An important element of the transition is the evolution of the electric grid and power markets to enable the clean energy transition. In addition, given unprecedented new federal investments in climate and clean energy, we are focused on effective implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to drive change.
You will provide broad research and writing support for briefs, blogs and other WRI reports and knowledge products. You will also research specific clean energy and grid solutions to support senior team members as they expand WRI’s work to create and scale innovative and equitable clean energy solutions. You will provide support to local, state, and federal decision-makers to help them navigate the energy transition and meet their clean energy goals. This will involve coordinating and facilitating stakeholder convenings, trainings, and cohort programming for local government staff and other audiences. You will also contribute to and develop the content, research, and tools that underpin these events. This role is a unique opportunity to deepen and evolve your understanding of how various stakeholders are driving clean energy adoption and contribute to analysis that has a meaningful impact on the decarbonization of the power sector.
What will you do:
Energy Research & Knowledge (50%):
Stakeholder Engagement (40%):
Communications & Administrative (10%):
What will you need:
Potential Salary: Salary range is between 69,000 and 73,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 04 April 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.
You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer: