Project Manager – Community Energy – Alaska Campus

Location

AK – Fairbanks

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Working at NREL

NREL’s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the farthest-north LEED Platinum buildings in the world. Using a mix of solar, geothermal, biomass, and thermal storage, it is a living laboratory for clean energy technologies in the subarctic. NREL’s Alaska Campus is in the heart of Interior Alaska, surrounded by mountains, trails, and rivers, as well as vibrant music, culture, and community. With 22 hours of sunlight in the summer and cold, snowy winters, Fairbanks is an outdoor-lovers’ paradise.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

NREL is seeking to hire a Project Manager with experience in assisting community energy, efficiency, or conservation projects for its team at the NREL Alaska Campus. Located in the heart of Interior Alaska, Fairbanks is surrounded by mountains, trails, and rivers, as well as vibrant music, culture, and community. With 22 hours of sunlight in the summer and cold, snowy winters, Fairbanks is an outdoor lovers’ paradise. The NREL Alaska Team is housed in the farthest-north LEED Platinum building in the world, a living laboratory for solar, geothermal, biomass, thermal storage, and energy efficient technologies. The candidate will play a crucial role in assisting the development and delivery of technical assistance for programs related to clean energy transition throughout the nation.

Job Duties

• Community Engagement: Collaborate with communities, stakeholders, and partners to understand their energy needs, concerns, and priorities. Develop and maintain strong relationships with regional partners.
• Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance to communities and organizations in the planning and implementation of clean energy projects. Support the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
• Project Leadership: Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research teams focused on clean energy solutions. Take a leadership role in managing complex projects.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Collect and analyze data related to energy consumption, energy savings, and community engagement. Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making.
• Publication and Communication: Communicate research results effectively to diverse audiences.

The Eligible Candidate Will Have

• Professional experience in community engagement and working with diverse stakeholders. Professional experience in equity-focused projects, programs, or initiatives in particular.
• Relevant academic background, which could include (but is not limited to) economics, public policy, resilience, urban planning, regulation, decarbonization, sustainability, environmental studies and/or climate mitigation (ideally through the lens of energy equity or with a focus on energy equity related topics).
• Research and analysis, project management, stakeholder relationship management, and communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity principles .
• Note: Engineering backgrounds can be applicable but are not required.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant Master’s Degree or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 2 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Complete understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices and standards. Full knowledge of technical field and related disciplines. Very good interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience in related fields
• Professional experience in equity-focused projects, programs, or initiatives in particular.
• Relevant coursework or experience in economics, energy policy, international development, public policy, resilience, regulation, decarbonization, sustainability, and/or climate mitigation.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, economics, business, engineering, or other relevant technical discipline (preferred but not required)
• Experience with stakeholder relationship management and community engagement in low-income communities and communities of color
• Proven organization and task management skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite
• Excels at working within a team environment
• Competency in Spanish
• Familiarity with online collaboration platforms (e.g., Webex, MS Teams, Zoom, etc.)
• Ability to independently scope and manage research tasks with guidance from more senior staff
• Experience working with rural Alaska a plus.
• Experience working with tribal entities a plus.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Project Manager II ARCEE / Annual Salary Range: $65,800 – $108,700

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

• Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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