Researcher - Workforce Analysis, Wind Energy

Posting TitleResearcher - Workforce Analysis, Wind Energy

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LocationCO - Boulder

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELNREL’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NREL’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.

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

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL emphasizes a well-integrated, interdisciplinary team approach to addressing the unique, fundamental research challenges for developing market-relevant, renewable energy technologies.

The Human Dimensions in Wind Energy team at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center located at our Flatirons Campus between Golden and Boulder, CO has an immediate opening for a mid-career researcher to support projects related to wind energy workforce. NREL’s workforce development activities range from analysis and pathway development to industry engagement and outreach. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team of experienced NREL researchers with a focus on conducting workforce analysis projects to reduce deployment barriers for land-based and offshore wind energy technologies.

This position will work with the NREL team to support a variety of projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office. The candidate will also work collaboratively with other National Laboratories, industry, and university partners.

A successful candidate will have prior experience assessing workforce and economic development, and a strong interest in wind or renewable energies. The candidate will work with other analysts and senior staff to develop novel methodologies, collect and analyze data, map entity networks, compile insights, and create reports and resources to advance wind workforce development research.

A candidate will specifically:

• Conduct local and regional indicator and workforce assessments.
• Expand workforce analysis capabilities through methods and approaches that analyze qualitative and indicator data.
• Lead engagement and outreach efforts to collect workforce insights from wind and workforce practitioners.
• Support economic analysis at the community, state, regional, and national levels with a focus on energy labor markets and trends.
• Collect and analyze data to assess the impact of workforce programs and projects.
• Have excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills. Exhibit a high degree of professionalism, curiosity, and initiative.
• Contribute to and prepare reports, presentations, and group communications for internal and external entities.

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Basic QualificationsRelevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrated full knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Strong leadership, communication, problem solving and project management skills. Ability to use various computer software programs.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Ability to develop a clear understanding of regional or national energy workforce needs, gaps, and opportunities.
• Familiarity with working in cross-organizational, multi-disciplinary teams to execute projects in coordination with diverse entities, such as state or federal agencies, research institutions, and program implementers.
• Interdisciplinary background with an understanding of the social and economic impacts of energy systems.
• Experience communicating results of work to a wide range of audiences and ability to prepare professional project communications that are appropriate for internal and external partners. 
• Involvement with managing tasks and taking initiative especially when given limited direction.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team and independently with guidance from senior staff.
• Experience working directly with clients to identify needs and requirements for deliverables.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in the use of systems dynamics approach to model workforce systems.
• Understanding of land-based or offshore wind energy technologies and trends.
• Demonstrated knowledge of wind energy industry practices and workforce development strategies.
• Prior experience or coursework in energy, economics, workforce planning and trends, or community planning, or entity engagement.
• Proficiency in tools such as Excel, Tableau, or other data analysis resources.

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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: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

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 SummaryBenefits 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 RequirementNREL 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.

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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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