Position Summary :

Supports the Chief Scientist as the Resilient and Affordable Energy R&D Strategy lead by: developing R&D strategy with NRECA and our members, especially supporting multi-objective planning considering energy resilience, sustainability, affordability, and equity - suggesting and pursuing project portfolios which implement this strategy; build and advance strong research, development, and demonstration opportunities with federal funders, industry, academia, and national laboratories; lead successful technical proposals for multi-million dollar grants; generate new partnerships nationally and globally; and convene working groups, member advisory groups, or combinations thereof to further the achievement of the above objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

In coordination with the Chief Scientist:

• Develops advanced, long-horizon R&D strategies in the areas of system planning and technology demonstration to the maximum long-term benefit of NRECA members. Uses a broad understanding of the opportunities, the research landscape in a wide array of energy R&D fields, and the array of challenges for NRECA members to develop this strategy.
  • Conveys the benefit of pursuing several alternative R&D strategies using metrics or indicators that are meaningful to the Chief Scientist and to NRECA members' goals.
  • Weighs improvements in resilience, sustainability, affordability, and equity and advances the ability to consider tradeoffs between these goals.
  • Utilizes systems science to consider the role of NRECA and our members within the global energy system and provides insight into specific R&D activities that will best improve the performance of energy systems for members over a long time horizon.
• Builds and advances strong, successful relationships with federal agencies, industry, academia, non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and the network of national laboratories. Forecast and inspire/incubate funding opportunities and support for NRECA projects; and generate innovative partnerships with federal agencies in order to secure funding while collectively solving key problems together with these agencies. With non-federal partners, build necessary coalitions to raise grant matching funds, and negotiate financial obligations for participation in joint research opportunities.
• Identifies compelling, unique project ideas that align to the R&D strategy and have high potential for success. Identify grant opportunities that have strong potential to support these project ideas. Build and support strong project teams including external partners; rally large teams for proposals; and oversee, produce technical portions, and structure components of large, multi-million dollar grant proposals.
• Creates partnerships and working groups internally, nationally, and globally, while convening and leading dialogue with these partners to further the collective understanding of the most pressing R&D challenges as well as novel approaches to solving these problems. This shall include generating opportunities for NRECA and partners to participate in technical briefings and presentations with key stakeholders.
• Represents NRECA and electric cooperatives at national conferences, meetings, working groups and in interviews as the subject matter expert on the convergence of energy resilience, equity, sustainability, and affordability.
• Supports and informs efforts within NRECA to guide members as they consider and transition to new business models. This will include integration of new technologies, data, and processes into co-op operations, the formation of strategic partnerships with technology vendors and co-op consumer members, and the creation products and services tailored specifically to commercial, industrial, and agricultural members.
• Responsible for the proper security and disposal of any confidential information that he or she may possess in the course of performing this position's job duties, in accordance with NRECA's Personnel & Administrative Policy and HIPPA Privacy and Security Policies & Procedures Manuals.

Direct Reports to this Position :

None

Qualifications

Formal Education Required :

Graduate degree in energy sciences, engineering, or systems science. Ph.D. preferred.

Experience and Certifications Required:

Eight years of energy systems analysis R&D experience required, including federal contracting experience in consulting, academia, or national lab settings, and an established, robust set of contacts within key firms who are traditional awardees of federal R&D programs.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of the overall R&D landscape in the area of system planning considering goals such as resilience, sustainability, affordability, and equity.
• Ability to lead teams that deeply consider and develop computer-aided models of the interaction between the power system and society.
• Ability to understand and weigh the impact of various R&D activities on long-term key performance indicators.
• Ability to roadmap R&D activities within an organization, identifying and developing new strengths while identifying external organizations that best complement the organization's shortcomings or key needs.
• Ability to build and guide a large portfolio of several R&D projects at various stages of development, ensuring alignment of this portfolio with overall R&D strategy.
• Ability to develop strong internal and external relationships with federal funders and partners, R&D organizations, industry, non-profits, and the philanthropic sector.
• Ability to lead people and foster collaborative skills and consensus building while operating in a fast-moving environment.
• Ability to build consortia and syndication of industry partners around research objectives.
• Ability to structure grant proposals with a successful win record.
• Ability to successfully function in the Federal grant and contract process.
• Ability to deliver academic-level technical research analysis, writings, and patents.
• Ability to operate independently with a high level of visibility and to shift priorities in a rapidly-changing environment.
• Ability to recruit, organize, lead, and manage technical teams in the execution of grants, contracts, and internally funded product.
• Ability to explain complex technical subjects clearly to non-specialists, in presentations and in writing.

• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, MS Teams) in the day-to-day essential duties of the job.
• Ability to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
• Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.

Essential Physical Requirements :

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer screen and extensive reading.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Disclaimer Statemen t : The preceding job description has been written to reflect management's assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Additional Requirement:

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management's assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail humanresources@nreca.coop or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

EEO is the Law. The law requires NRECA to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination. For information regarding your legal rights and protections, please click on the following link: EEO is the Law and EEO is the Law Supplement .

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify .