Economic Justice and Clean Energy Opportunity: Office of Integrated Strategies

How to Apply:

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Selected candidate may be required to provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.
• A current resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
• One Letter of Recommendation. References are asked to describe applicant’s Scientific Capabilities and Personal Characteristics and must specify how they know the applicant.

The resume/CV must include the following:

• Basic applicant Information:  Name, address, phone, email, and other contact information.
• Work & Research Experience:  List all work and research experiences beginning with current or most recent. Include the name of the employer, location, position held, and time period involved.
• Leadership Experience:  List experiences (e.g., work, civic, volunteer, research) that demonstrate your leadership skills. Detail your role, type of experience, organization, location, and duration.
• Educational History:  List all institutions from which you received or expect to receive a degree, beginning with current or most recent institution. Include the name of the academic institution, degree awarded or expected, date of awarded or expected degree, and academic discipline.
• Honors & Awards:  List in chronological order (most recent first) any awards or public recognitions. Include the name of awarding institution, title of the award or honor, and date of award or honor.

If you have questions, please send an email to DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code for this opportunity in the subject line of your email: DOE-EERE-STP-IS-2023-2000

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology and Policy (STP) Program serves as a next step in the educational and professional development of scientists and engineers by providing opportunities to participate in policy-related projects at DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Washington, D.C. Participants will become part of a group of highly-trained scientists and engineers with the education, background, and experience to be part of the workforce that supports the DOE's mission in the future. For more information about the EERE Science, Technology and Policy Program, please visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-science-technology-and-policy-program

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Integrated Strategies (IS) is looking for a fellow to engage in economic justice efforts to advance EERE’s Good Jobs & Workforce Development priority area. The specific project portfolio can be flexible to your interest and experience. Your learning opportunities include:

• Engaging with development and implementation of EERE programs and projects that promote a High Road approach to economic and workforce development in clean energy.
• Collaborating with IS teams to review applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) program funding, focusing on the quality jobs and workforce elements of applicants’ Community Benefits Plans.
• Developing frameworks to assess the effectiveness of BIL programs in creating quality jobs and careers in clean energy.
• Conducting research on how workforce development activities impact current and future clean energy jobs, including synthesis of information with the focus on job quality and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
• Collaborating on the analysis of workforce needs that span clean energy technology areas, including engagement with National Lab teams conducting such analysis.
• Participating in communities-of-practices on DEIA, Justice40, and Good Jobs and learn from EERE’s Senior Advisor for Good Jobs & Workforce Development.
• Building EERE’s relationships and partnerships with key clean energy constituencies (e.g., labor unions, registered apprenticeship programs, community-based organizations, and clean energy industry associations).
• Developing and implementing earned media campaigns to communicate and amplify how clean energy investments support quality jobs and socio-economic equity.

These activities may be carried out in collaboration with teams of multi-level federal employees, other participants, support service contractors, and experts from national laboratories.

Appointment Location

Washington, DC. The option to participate remotely may be available in some cases. 

EERE’s mission is to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans, creating good paying jobs for the American people—especially workers and communities impacted by the energy transition and those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution.

Our mission is also driven by four crosscutting principles: 

• Building the clean energy economy in a way that benefits all Americans. We must address environmental injustices that disproportionately affect communities of color, low-income communities, and indigenous communities. 
• Fostering a diverse STEM workforce. We need to increase awareness of clean energy job opportunities at minority-serving institutions and ensure that organizations receiving EERE funding are thinking through diversity and equity in their own work. 
• Developing more robust workforce training opportunities to build a pipeline for permanent, good-paying jobs for the clean energy workforce. 
• Working closely and learning from state and local governments.

Participant Benefits

Selected participants will receive a stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by EERE officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. Relocation expenses, not to exceed $5,000, incurred in relocating from the participant's current address to Washington, D.C. (if more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application), may be reimbursed. Participants will receive a travel/research allowance of $10,000 per appointment year to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities.

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess a keen interest in being part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced team focused on inclusive economic and workforce development
• Exhibit superior academic performance and record of applied or participatory research, along with excellent communication and analytical skills
• Possess a demonstrated capacity for creative thinking and problem-solving. Knowledge of the principles and practices of High Road development, sustainable development, or community development are desirable, but not required, as well as a strong technical background and experience in energy workforce-related field

You must meet the following criteria to participate in the program:

·       Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.

·       Be currently pursing or have completed requirements for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD within the last 5 years, or complete all the requirements for the degree by the anticipated start date of the appointment.

·       Applicants with education or professional experience in project or program management, with experience in community solar or LIHEAP, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Full program eligibility requirements can be found at: visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-science-technology-and-policy-program

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age