Community Clean Energy Deployment Fellow

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Mentors are actively seeking applicants for this opportunity and will review submitted applications for selection on a rolling basis throughout the year.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Science, Technology and Policy Program is designed to provide opportunities for students, postgraduates, established scientists and faculty to participate in programs, projects, and activities at the Department. Fellows will receive hands-on experience that provides an understanding of the mission, operations, and culture of DOE. As a result, fellows will gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of energy technology policies; apply your scientific, policy and technical expertise to the development of solutions to issues of importance to the DOE, and continue your education and involvement in areas that support the DOE mission either in a technical or policy-related role. The DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is seeking ORISE fellows to support its mission and construct several clean energy and energy efficiency programs. 

About Office of State and Community Energy Programs

As part of DOE’s Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure, the mission of the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is to support state, local and tribal governments as they significantly accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and practices through place-based strategies.  SCEP was created in January 2022 to implement key parts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and oversees nearly $6 billion in funding. SCEP is responsible for several foundational grant, prize, and technical assistance programs, including the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, the State Energy Program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and several new and exciting programs that will support state, tribal, and local governments.  These activities help decrease energy costs and contribute to decarbonization efforts, provide good-paying jobs with a fair and free choice to join a union and collectively bargain, and secure clean energy economy benefits for all Americans, especially marginalized and low-income communities that have long borne the brunt of pollution

Fellowship Activities

Under the guidance of a mentor, fellows will have a hands-on experience and will see how SCEP operates.  Fellows will be an integral part of a growing team and will engage on a variety of efforts to design, execute, communicate about, and learn how to manage billions of dollars in grants from programs that support energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy infrastructure.

The objectives of this opportunity include learning and developing in the areas of:

• Collaborating with a new DOE office as it stands up several clean energy programs to help state, tribal and local governments reach their clean energy and energy efficiency goals.
• Providing technical experience around energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric vehicle technology deployment to state, local, and tribal governments
• Researching best practices, and writing and editing detailed how-to guides for governments to follow as they develop new clean energy deployment programs
• Collaborating with national labs, contractors or DOE staff to create and deliver clean energy technical assistance, materials, curriculums, webinars, workshops, etc.
• Reviewing grantee applications, plans, budgets, receipts, and other administrative items for completion and accuracy; and supporting grantees through the application, grant performance, and close-out processes
• Participating on design of new grant, prize, and technical assistance programs; and execute such programs, including reviewing and assessing applications and reports; and monitoring grantee progress and supporting grantees as challenges arise.
• Conducting research, analysis, and evaluation of SCEP methods, programs, and grantee performance; identifying process improvements.
• Identifying policies and best practices in state, tribal, and local governments that can be shared with and adopted by grantees by SCEP’s stakeholders.
• Coordinating with other DOE offices and engaging stakeholders, including state, tribal, and local governments, public and private interest groups, and DOE Laboratories and Golden Field Offices, to maintain knowledge of industry developments, technology trends, and technology program deployment goals to increase the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and practices.

As a result of their participation on this program, participants are expected to:

• Gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of policies and programs that affect clean energy technology development.
• Contribute to the implementation of energy policies and projects by providing their scientific and technical expertise to grantees as they develop solutions for problems in areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• Continue their education and involvement in areas that support the SCEP mission either in a technical or policy-related role.

Fellow Benefits

Washington, DC or Golden, CO.  The option to participate remotely full-time may be available in some cases. 

Duration

Fellowships are initially for one year in length and may be renewed yearly up to an additional four years.  Renewals are determined by SCEP based on the project needs, availability of funds and fellow interest and availability.

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.

Qualifications

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

Applicants must have received their Bachelor’s, Master's or Doctoral degree within the last 5 years, or currently pursuing their degree and will have completed all degree requirements by the desired start date.  Applicants currently pursuing a degree must provide proof of completion of all degree requirements before the appointment start date. 

Preferred skills

The ideal applicants would have strong analytical, research and communication (oral and written) skills and demonstrated capacity for creative thinking and working both independently and collaboratively. Fellows should bring a strong interest in clean and equitable energy solutions for state, tribal and local governments, and particularly for environmental justice and disadvantaged communities and other under-served areas. Fellows should have an interest in being part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment. Applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experience in the clean energy sector, or in state, local, or tribal governments are encouraged to apply.

Rolling Applications

Mentors are actively seeking applicants for this opportunity and will review submitted applications for selection on a rolling basis throughout the year.

How to Apply

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile and responses to opportunity specific questions
• Transcripts/Academic Records - 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/CV, including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences (*see below for instructions). 
• One Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for one recommender in order to submit the application. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success, as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect in order to be considered, and must be in English or include an official English translation. Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

*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-STP-SCEP-2023-1701

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• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (10 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (7 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (2 )
  • Engineering (4 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (8 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (5 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (4 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age