Subject Matter Expert I, State Energy Program

Position Location: 1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington D.C. 20585

Salary: $150,000 - $215,000

Work Environment: Remote

Travel Required: 15%

Position Summary:

The Subject Matter Expert I (SME I) will support the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of State and

Community Energy Programs (SCEP), State Energy Program (SEP). Established in the 1970s, SEP

provides funding and technical assistance to 56 grantees, comprising the states, territories, and the District

of Columbia, to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and increase energy

affordability. SEP delivers this support through formula grants, competitive grants, and technical

assistance, with each State Energy Office determining how to allocate funds across eligible activities to

meet its own energy priorities.

The SME I provides expert consulting, analysis, and facilitation to the SEP federal team on critical and

complex issues affecting state energy policy, program design, and program delivery. The role

independently plans, conducts, and leads extensive research and analysis resulting in products of

significant impact, and performs extremely difficult, high-visibility tasks requiring the application of new

or original concepts. This is an expert advisory role and does not include grant administration.

Specific requirements and responsibilities include:

• Serve as a senior expert resource to the SEP federal team on critical, complex issues in state energy policy, planning, and program design.
• Provide expert consulting and analysis on state energy planning, energy security and assurance, and energy affordability strategies.
• Independently plan, conduct, and lead extensive research and analysis resulting in products of significant impact to the SEP program.
• Perform extremely difficult, high-visibility tasks requiring the application of new or original concepts.
• Evaluate the technical and analytical merit of state-proposed approaches, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, building energy codes, and energy financing activities.
• Assess the methodologies states use to estimate, measure, and report energy, cost, and performance impacts.
• Facilitate technical and policy working sessions with federal staff, State Energy Offices, and external stakeholders.
• Develop technical guidance, analyses, white papers, and best-practice resources for use across the SEP grantee community.
• Advise on emerging technologies, market developments, and policy changes that affect state energy program design and delivery.
• Represent the SEP program as a subject matter expert in engagements with other DOE offices, the National Laboratories, and external organizations.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• PhD in an appropriate discipline. A Bachelors degree and four (4) years of relevant experience,or a Masters degree and two (2) years of additional relevant experience, may substitute for the PhD.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience performing work applicable to the functions and responsibilities described above.
• Extensive knowledge in an area of specialization necessary for effective implementation of the subject matter area.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, conduct, and lead extensive research and analysis resulting in products of significant impact.
• Demonstrated experience performing extremely difficult, high-visibility tasks requiring the application of new or original concepts.
• Ability to work independently and effectively under pressure and in the conduct of demanding assignments, and to express ideas well both orally and in writing.
• Experience providing expert consulting, analysis, and facilitation to Government clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in engineering, economics, public policy, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience working with or within a State Energy Office or state government energy agency.
• Expertise in state energy planning, energy security and emergency preparedness, or energy assurance.
• Expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, building energy codes, or energy financing mechanisms.
• Familiarity with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and the SEP regulations at 10 CFR Part 420.
• Experience with energy data analysis, energy modeling, or program impact evaluation methods.
• Experience supporting SCEP, the Department of Energy, or a DOE National Laboratory.
• Published technical or policy work, or recognized professional standing in the energy field.