Job Information
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Graduate Year-Round Intern: Community Solar Stakeholder Engagement in United States
Posting Title
Graduate Year-Round Intern: Community Solar Stakeholder Engagement
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Intern (Fixed Term)
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
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 and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
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.
Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Job Description
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) is seeking a versatile, year-long, graduate-level Intern to support engagement with state and local entities on the Clean Energy Connector (https://www.energy.gov/communitysolar/low-income-clean-energy-connector) (“Connector”), a National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) web-based software development project. The Connector is designed to reduce barriers for households participating in government-run low-income support programs to access community solar projects with verified savings and strong consumer protections. The state and local stakeholder entities comprise of: State LIHEAP Administrators; State Community Solar Program Administrators; Local LIHEAP Administrators; and Community Solar Subscription Managers. The goal of the engagement efforts is to support current state users (New Mexico, Illinois, and District of Columbia) and to recruit and onboard additional states to the Connector.
This internship is available immediately in NREL's Accelerated Deployment and Decision Support Center in our Golden, Colorado Office, or the person could work remotely from most U.S. states. The position would be part- to full-time (20 – 40 hours per week) during the academic year with the potential for long-term coverage during school breaks (e.g. winter holidays and summer). Potential candidates would also be eligible to work at NREL as an intern for up to one year after graduation.
The Intern will be responsible for:
Stakeholder Engagement with Prospective Users: Assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations for state and local entities, with the goal of adding new states to the Connector.
Stakeholder Engagement with Current Users : Participate in recurring check-ins with users from states who are presently using the Connector, with the goal of identifying ways to improve and/or expand software features as well as the overall user experience.
Research and Policy Analysis: Conducting research on clean energy markets, policies, and renewable energy technologies as they pertain to community solar projects, particularly at the state, utility, and local level.
Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting: Gather and organize feedback, info, and data acquired from prospective and/or current users. Includes supporting reporting of results to Department of Energy and NREL project team members with the goal of informing how to improve/expand the Connector.
Project Support: Contributing to various project phases, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
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Basic Qualifications
Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree granting program, or graduated in the past 12 months from an accredited institution. Internship period cannot exceed 12 months past graduation. Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Please Note: Be sure to attach your current transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) on the "Submit Attachments" Page during the application process in order for your GPA and student status to be verified. Please also submit a cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. A letter of recommendation is preferred.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Must be enrolled in, or graduated from, a graduate-level program in renewable energy markets/technology/policy, environmental studies/justice, engineering, science and society, law, public policy, public administration, political science, business, or other similar field. Previous work experience in these fields is acceptable as well.
Excellent attention to detail.
Experience/interest in solar photovoltaics.
Strong research, written communication, and organizational skills.
Experience in data collection, organization, and analysis.
Professional demeanor for engaging with Department of Energy clients and project stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with renewable energy programs, particularly community solar
Familiarity with government-run low-income support programs (e.g. LIHEAP, SNAP)
Prior education, coursework, or experience in energy policy; community engagement on energy and environmental issues; climate/carbon policy; greenhouse gas accounting and/or decarbonization is preferred.
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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: Graduate II / Annual Salary Range: $42,700 - $68,300
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 Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.
* Based on eligibility rules
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.
EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)
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E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).
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.
Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.