Research Associate (Contract), Energy and Policy Institute

Posted by: CAKE Team
Post Date: 7/14/2023
Opportunity Type: Job
Organization/Grantor: Energy and Policy Institute
Position/Title/Fund: Research Associate - Contract, 1-year term
Location: Remote within the US
Deadline: July 30, 2023
Contact Info: admin@energyandpolicy.org

Salary: $55,000-$65,000

The Energy and Policy Institute is seeking a new team member who can help us hold the special interests that are blocking climate and renewable energy progress accountable for their actions. The Research Associate will support our investigations into fossil fuel and utility-aligned interests that spread misinformation about clean energy projects, and obstruct climate action at the state and local level.

EPI is a watchdog group that exposes the anti-clean energy, anti-democracy behavior of fossil fuel companies, utilities, and their lobbying and public relations machines. Our team provides communities with the information they need to hold corporations and policymakers accountable when they advocate for cleaner and fairer energy systems. We are a small, nimble and growing team.

Responsibilities: The position’s exact responsibilities will be determined in part by the experience and skillset of the candidate, but you might be a great candidate if you have the following demonstrable knowledge, skills and/or experience:

  • Experience and demonstrated success doing investigative research and reporting, including following money trails, filing public records requests, and digging through government records and datasets. Sifting through and organizing data and documents. 
  • Communicating complex information in succinct ways that maximize impact on the political environment.  
  • An understanding of the basics of energy systems, including the electric power sector, and dynamics surrounding transmission and renewables siting. Technical expertise is valued but not necessary, though a savvy assessment of the political dynamics around energy is preferred.
  • An understanding of and ability to articulate how energy systems contribute to inequity and injustice, particularly with regard to marginalized communities (including Black and Indigenous communities, other communities of color, and low-income communities).
  • Ability to work independently. Our team is distributed; we collaborate and support each other, but each of us is responsible for creating and executing our own work plans without much supervision. 
  • Willingness to travel as needed.
  • Ability to learn on the job is essential. 
  • You have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in previous jobs or daily life. 

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not rules, and if you have most of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply! Experience can refer to paid and unpaid work. Applying gives you an opportunity to be considered.

How to Apply:

Please submit an application (including resume and cover letter) within this Google Form by July 30 ​​​​​.

We will be in touch by no later than August 14 to let you know the status of your application and to communicate further steps in our hiring process.