Careers at UMass Amherst

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) and with academic affiliation with the Department of Environmental Conservation in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS). CEE supports the Commonwealth’s clean energy and climate policies and programs through applied research and extension, direct technical assistance, and workforce development. CEE was established with and continues to receive funding from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). In addition to directly supporting some DOER programs, current areas of work include municipal energy efficiency, greenhouse gas inventories, net zero planning, clean energy workforce development, offshore wind-wildlife interaction research, agrivoltaics, pollinator-friendly solar, and solar planning, financing, and implementation. CEE has been successful in obtaining federal funds serving the clean energy transition by supporting staff, growing collaborations, and conducting project work.

CEE offers a small-team environment with a culture of collaboration within Extension and across university units engaged in energy and sustainability research and programs. CEE has established a strong reputation for its contributions on campus and as an objective resource for municipalities and organizations across Massachusetts and regionally. CEE has strong potential for strengthening and expanding its activities and partnerships and meaningfully contributing to the university’s new strategic plan ‘For the Common Good’, with a focus on sustainability and public engagement.  CEE is committed to promoting energy transition by working with people from different backgrounds to promote innovation in the clean energy workforce and bring the economic value of clean energy to all communities.

About the Department of Environmental Conservation (ECo)

The Department of Environmental Conservation (ECo) is within the College of Natural Sciences and the School of Earth and Sustainability at UMass Amherst. ECo hosts a multi-disciplinary group of faculty with programs in Sustainability Science, Environmental Science, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Water Resources Conservation, and Building and Construction Technology. Collaborative and close working relationships with the USDA Forest Service, U. S. Geological Survey, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and diverse state natural resource management agencies are well established within the department, on campus, and in the region. Unifying themes across these programs include conservation of natural resources, sustainable development, and reconciliation of humans with the natural environment. We place special emphasis on faculty-student interaction, experiential learning, interdisciplinary activities, and cooperation among faculty. We commonly teach interdisciplinary classes and share a fundamental commitment to serving a diverse student body and the broader public, and we are committed to recruiting, supporting, and retaining a diverse faculty.

Job Summary

The Director will maintain ongoing obligations and develop new collaborations for CEE to support its mission, maintain its financial stability, and enhance its value to the Commonwealth and university. The Director will bring new expertise to CEE and is expected to develop applied research and/or public service and outreach activities consistent with the CEE mission. The Director will be responsible for managing CEE staff and their professional development. The Director will hold a faculty position in the Department of Environmental Conservation and teach one to two courses per year in clean energy and the energy transition, as well as contribute to other departmental service needs typical for faculty. Joint affiliation with another academic department may be considered based on the candidate’s background.

Essential Functions

• Represent CEE to campus administrators, internal and external collaborators, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, and other funders and stakeholders. Maintain and enhance the public value of CEE to the Commonwealth and its clean energy and climate goals.
• Develop and maintain an active applied research and/or public service and outreach program supporting CEE’s mission.
• Offer one to two courses per year on energy-related topics in the Department of Environmental Conservation in coordination with the department head and curricular needs.
• Supervise and support CEE staff. Review and strengthen CEE staff management and organizational structure and enhance opportunities for collaboration and professional development. Periodically assess CEE’s funding, staffing and workloads, and address areas of concern.
• Oversee and improve administration of CEE grants and contracts, funding proposals, budgets, and staff resources, in collaboration with CEE staff and department support staff.
• Develop the financial stability and long-term sustainability of CEE through strategic pursuit of state support, grant opportunities, fundraising, and revenue generating activities.
• Establish strong relationships with aligned units and faculty across campus and in off-campus Extension stations, understand how CEE’s mission and capabilities fit with these resources, and work collaboratively to synergistically grow the energy and sustainability strengths and role of the university.
• Seek out, establish, and maintain strong relationships with external collaborators and stakeholders to support CEE’s mission and share research and outreach resources within the Commonwealth, regionally, and nationally.
• Periodically review CEE research and outreach activities with CEE staff, University collaborators, and external collaborators and stakeholders to strategically plan and align CEE activities with staff capabilities, public needs, and funding opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Graduate degree in a field related to clean energy (e.g., renewable energy, engineering, resource economics, public policy, regional planning, sustainability, energy justice).
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in the clean energy field (energy efficiency, renewable energy, strategic electrification, grid modernization) conducting research, consulting, engineering, project development, finance, policy development and regulation, regional planning, or similar contributions. A Ph.D. or other terminal degree (e.g., J.D.) in a related field can substitute for two (2) years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff, colleagues, experts, and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and competencies. Experience working with a wide variety of stakeholders and collaborators, e.g., academia, government agencies, municipal planning organizations, NGOs, community-based organizations, and clean energy experts.
• Experience in supervising and managing staff in a collaborative working environment. Demonstrated commitment to a climate of respect, empowerment, and professional development of staff members.
• Experience in balancing administrative and management tasks with a work agenda requiring expertise in clean energy.
• Demonstrated excellence in written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; comfort in public speaking roles, facilitating group discussions, and in one-on-one conversations.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy/visioning, financial management, project management, and computer literacy.
• Demonstration of a determined commitment and passion to support a clean energy transition that is affordable, equitable, environmentally conscious, and provides benefits to the Commonwealth and local economies.
• Experience writing technical proposals in response to government or foundation competitive solicitations, and in managing such awards with sponsors.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in a relevant field, such as clean energy, engineering, environmental science, or public policy, law, management, etc.
• Experience serving as the director for a center, program, or other entity.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching at a university level.
• 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.

Additional Details

• Funding for this full-time position will be split as follows: 50% of the support is to cover the position’s faculty responsibilities and this funding is continuous support assuming strong performance. The other 50% is to cover the position’s Director responsibilities, and these funds have been committed for a period of three (3) years. The Director will be expected to sustain external funding for this portion of their position beyond this 3-year commitment.
• In-state travel required. Regional and national travel may also be required.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit:

• cover letter (Recommend 2-5 pages detailing your interest in this position and clean energy, experiences relevant to the stated Essential Functions and Qualifications for the position, and your vision for the next phase of the Clean Energy Extension and strategies to realize this vision.),
• CV, and
• contact information for three (3) professional references who can comment on the candidate’s leadership, research, and extension abilities.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged. Questions about the position may be directed to wamiller@cns.umass.edu or kkahl@umass.edu.

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). For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.