Research Manager

Research Manager

Location: Flexible within the U.S., with a preference for candidates in California

Experience: Deep experience in energy advocacy, research, journalism or politics

Summary: The Energy and Policy Institute is seeking a new team member who can help us hold the utility monopolies that are blocking clean energy and lower bills for ratepayers accountable for their actions. The Research Manager will lead our investigations in California. The team member will also work closely with allies and reporters to expose efforts to undermine climate and clean energy progress and perpetuate energy injustice.

This position is part of a two-year research program.

EPI is a watchdog organization that exposes the harms posed by fossil-fuel and monopoly utility interests to ratepayers, democracy, and the climate. We work to shine a light on the ways that fossil-fuel companies and utilities are harming customers and slowing the transition to clean energy. Our findings inform community leaders, consumer advocates, environmentalists and others so that they have the insight they need to hold corporations and politicians accountable, and to create a cleaner and fairer energy system.

EPI is offering this position for a two-year contract. The position offers competitive benefits: health, vision, and dental insurance; life and disability insurance; a generous vacation package; and three months of paid parental leave. After two years, the position may be considered for longer-term employment.

We are a small, nimble and growing team. The position’s exact responsibilities are flexible and will be determined in part by the experience and skillset of the candidate.

• Following money trails, filing public records requests, and digging through government records and datasets.
• Distilling and communicating complex information in succinct ways that maximize impact on the political environment.
• Managing or assisting in outreach efforts with allied organizations, policymakers, and the media.
• Writing articles, reports, and memos.
• An understanding of the basics of California electric and gas utilities and the regulatory and policy making apparatus that surrounds them. Technical expertise is not necessary, but a savvy assessment of the political dynamics around energy is a must.
• An understanding of how energy systems contribute to inequity and injustice, particularly with regard to historically marginalized communities (including Black and Indigenous communities, other communities of color, and low-income communities), and ability to articulate why an affordable, just and rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is crucial.
• Ability to work independently. Our team is distributed; we collaborate and support each other, but each of us is responsible for creating and executing our own work plans without much supervision.
• Ability to learn on the job, which is essential.
• You have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in previous jobs or daily life.