About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
About the UMass Clean Energy Extension
The Clean Energy Extension (CEE) at the University of Massachusetts was established in 2015 as part of the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE). CEE supports the Commonwealth’s clean energy and climate policies and programs through applied research, direct technical assistance, and workforce development. CEE offers a small-team environment with a culture of collaboration.
Job Summary
The Extension Educator III, Municipal Clean Energy, provides technical assistance and develop research-based information, publications, and programs related to municipal and community-wide clean energy planning and implementation across Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and other partners within and outside of UMass. Preference will be shown to candidates with experience in clean energy technologies, policies, finance, markets, and planning, particularly in Massachusetts. However, CEE is prepared to train and support the right candidate with strong skills and experience in engineering, environmental science, quantitative analysis, municipal planning, or communications – and a demonstrated interest in clean energy.
Essential Functions
- Provides technical support for MassEnergyInsight (MEI). MEI is a web‐based tool provided by DOER to Massachusetts municipalities and school districts to help track and reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. This position will be the primary point of contact for online technical support to MEI users (e.g., researching and troubleshooting data and technical issues). Contributes to the development of updated training and reference materials, and contributes to site improvements and addition of new functionality by providing input and testing support to the MEI development team.
- Provides technical assistance to municipal representatives to support clean energy planning and implementation for municipal buildings and operations. Specific tasks include developing municipal energy profiles, providing information about state and federal incentives for clean energy projects, conducting financial analyses, reviewing specifications for proposed clean energy projects, and supporting municipalities in developing bylaw language related to renewable energy and energy storage.
- Provides technical assistance to municipal representatives to support use of CEE’s Community Planning for Solar Toolkit and other community-wide planning efforts. Specific tasks include conducting outreach to encourage use of the Toolkit, carrying out Toolkit steps for under-resourced communities (e.g., conducting GIS analyses, facilitating survey distribution, analyzing survey results, supporting evaluation of project ownership and financing options, drafting solar action plans), providing guidance to support implementation of community-preferred solar projects, and conducting community-wide greenhouse gas inventories.
- Serves as first point of contact for clean energy inquiries from municipal representatives and other community leaders. Collaborates with CEE staff, DOER, regional planning agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to identify emerging needs related to clean energy project planning and implementation. Develops and provides educational programs and research-based information to address emerging needs.
- Works collaboratively with CEE staff and partners to seek external funding to support research and educational efforts, and assists in the development of grant proposals. Assists with implementation of projects or programs funded through grants as assigned and as other work duties allow.
- Conducts periodic evaluations of program effectiveness and use results to inform future programs.
- Develops relationships with municipal leaders, state and federal agency staff, advisory committees, research centers, other university extension programs, and other stakeholders to assess conditions and needs, and identify strategies to achieve program goals and desired outcomes.
- Supervises, supports, evaluates, and recognizes student employees.
- Participates as appropriate in CEE program management, including reporting, financial administration, and short- and long-range planning.
- Represents UMass Extension at the campus, regional, or state level in routine matters of organization and procedure relevant to the position.
Other Functions
- Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
- Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor's degree.
- Over three (3) years of experience in a relevant field, such as engineering, environmental science, quantitative analysis, communications, or municipal planning. Advanced degree in a related field can substitute for two (2) years of experience.
- Strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to collect, manage, and analyze data, and present results in a format accessible to the general public.
- Strong computer skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel. Knowledge of or willingness to learn software including MEI, basic webpage editing, geospatial information systems software (e.g., ArcGIS), and basic coding language (e.g., R, Python, or MATLAB).
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, and a self-starter. Ability to handle a wide variety of tasks and identify priorities within workload.
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues, experts, and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and competencies.
- Ability to travel throughout Massachusetts for meetings and site visits.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master's degree in a relevant field, such as clean energy, engineering, environmental science, or municipal planning.
- Familiarity with clean energy technologies, current state and federal energy policy, and related incentive programs, particularly the landscape of clean energy and climate policy in Massachusetts.
- Experience with the following:
- Analyzing, designing, permitting, financing, or implementing clean energy projects, including solar systems and/or building energy efficiency retrofits.
- Delivering education and/or outreach programs.
- Developing research-based outreach materials for a general audience.
- Writing funding proposals and managing reporting for grants.
- Geospatial information systems software (e.g., ArcGIS)
- Coding software (e.g., R, Python, or MATLAB).
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Additional Details
Work Schedule
- Flexible work schedule based on Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
- Ability to travel throughout Massachusetts for meetings and site visits.
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This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 27
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.