Building Technologies Office Opportunity

Organization
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Reference Code
DOE-EERE-STP-BTO-2019-1200
How to Apply

A complete application consists of:

  • An application
  • Transcript(s) - 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/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • One letter of Reference. References are asked to describe applicant’s Scientific Capabilities and Personal Characteristics and must specify how they know the applicant.

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.

Description

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology and Policy (STP) Program serves as a next step in the educational and professional development of scientists and engineers by providing opportunities to participate in policy-related projects at DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Washington, D.C.  Participants will become part of a group of highly-trained scientists and engineers with the education, background, and experience to be part of the workforce that supports the DOE's mission in the future.

ORISE is continuing normal program operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity will be offered as long as the Department of Energy Headquarters is able to complete the onboarding process and ensure a meaningful experience to participants. We encourage you to apply and submit your application as soon as possible.  Updates to this opportunity will be provided on this page as needed

This opportunity is located in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Building Technologies Office (BTO). EERE’s mission is to create and sustain American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy. Its vision is a strong and prosperous America powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy. 

In 2016, residential and commercial buildings consumed more than 40 percent of the Nation’s total energy and more than 74 percent of the electrical energy, resulting in an estimated annual national energy bill totaling more than $380 billion. Widespread adoption of existing energy-efficiency building technologies – and the introduction and use of new technologies – could eventually reduce energy use in homes and commercial buildings by 50 percent. This would save almost $200 billion annually on energy bills and help create jobs. BTO’s mission is to support research and development (R&D), validation, and integration of affordable, energy-saving technologies, techniques, tools, and services, to enable industry and others to develop and deploy technologies that can improve the efficiency and reduce the energy costs of the nation’s homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and other commercial and residential buildings in both the new and existing buildings markets.

You will learn and gain an understanding of how to:
1. Participate in technical reviews/assessments of proposed research and development plans, conduct technical and economic feasibility analysis, as well as evaluate at a deep technical level the progress and ongoing viability and success potential of projects toward meeting the BTO energy efficiency goals.  This includes periodic technical reviews and providing rigorous technical feedback for funded R&D projects; as well as assisting in the negotiation of statements of work and project management plans with technically rigorous milestones, go/no-go decision points, stage-gates and deliverables for new awards.
2. Collaborate in the assessment of state-of-the-art scientific literature and practice in relevant technologies and assess new opportunities for further advancement in the field and the industry.  This will include contributing to completion of BTO strategy and complementary roadmaps.
3. Collaborate with other BTO Participants on technical and techno-economic analyses and develop short-term and long-term quantitative goals for BTO.

The learning and professional development opportunities include:

• Stakeholder Engagement. Engage with DOE staff to build and maintain relationships with strategic partners working on emerging tech, technology for building systems integration and energy efficiency programs.

• Technical Expertise. Engage with DOE staff to provide feedback and/or recommendations on strategic progress or course correction for a variety of technical projects relating commercial building energy efficiency products/technologies and solutions.

• Creative Vision. Engage in strategic planning for technology research and development, reviewing, recommending and implementing projects that advance the BTO and CBI mission, resulting in measurable and trackable building energy savings.

• Communication. Engage with DOE staff to prepare and present written and oral briefings and reports to senior program staff, DOE leadership, external partners and industry stakeholders.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their professional and academic record, experience in the field and potential for making contributions in the area of building energy efficiency. Priority for selection for some projects will be given to applicants with an advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences. Degrees in other fields will be considered for participation if the participant resume and expertise reflects a background in building energy technology and systems and/or building science as well as energy efficiency concepts and RD&D programs, including those related to areas of building energy use, design and operations.  A willingness and demonstrated desire to learn and develop solutions important to the office will be highly preferred. The review process will include phone and/or in-person interviews with potential candidates.

Participant Benefits

Selected participants will receive a stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by EERE officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. Relocation expenses, not to exceed $5,000, incurred in relocating from the participant's current address to Washington, D.C. (if more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application), may be reimbursed. Participants will receive a travel allowance of $10,000 per appointment year to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities.

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

For more information about the EERE Science, Technology and Policy Program, please visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-science-technology-and-policy-program

Appointment Location

Washington, DC

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

Program eligibility requirements can be found at: visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-science-technology-and-policy-program.

Successful candidates will:

• Have a passion for buildings, energy efficiency and technology RD&D.
• Have interest in working in a multi-disciplinary, metrics-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Have strong organizational, analytical and research skills and a demonstrated capacity for creative thinking.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with energy efficiency evaluations and programs for buildings.
• Knowledge of strategies to identify, evaluate and prioritize cost-effective energy savings measures in new and existing homes and buildings.
• Experience with successful market transformation programs, policy and regulatory interventions, and/or public-private partnerships.
• Understanding of the economics of energy efficiency, including payback, rate of return and net present value.
• Experience with key innovations in  building efficiency, especially whole building strategies and energy management.
• Experience in researching or developing voluntary energy efficiency policies or programs for commercial buildings, such as strategies designed to overcome specific technical and structural barriers and/or the evaluating of program effectiveness.
• Experience with building energy data, management or analytics platforms including energy modeling software/tools.
• Knowledge of real estate, including understanding of ownership structures, lease types and financing structures common in commercial buildings.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Business (11 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (4 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (3 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (7 )
    • Physics (16 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
  • Age: Must be 18 years of age