Energy Program Specialist

Full Job Description

Are you a forward thinking energy expert with the knowledge to optimize Commonwealth building technology and grid integration? If so, the Energy Programs Office within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is eagerly awaiting your input! DEP is actively searching for an Energy Program Specialist to serve as a grid-edge subject matter expert. Do not miss out on this chance to embark on a fulfilling career - apply today and seize this incredible opportunity!

Requirements

As an Energy Program Specialist, you will serve as a subject matter expert on cutting edge smart building technologies generally defined as grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs).

Your work will involve developing and implementing programs, as well as coordinating partners, in order to support the adoption of technologies and techniques that enable high-performing energy efficient commercial buildings that support reliable and resilient energy systems throughout Pennsylvania.

Within this role, you will function as the program leader on the DEP Energy Programs Office (EPO), grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEB), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and virtual power plant (VPP) initiatives.

VPP operations consist of a network of small scale customer owned resources such as batteries, distributed energy resources (DERs), electric vehicles, smart appliances, and smart thermostats aggregated via a technology solution that serves to optimize the operation of these resources to return benefits to the grid.

You will also provide backup support for the State Energy Program (SEP) grant, which funds projects focused on energy efficiency, energy assurance, and renewable energy goals of Pennsylvania.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Occasional travel is required to attend conferences and meetings.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week.

In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of professional experience in energy resources, energy utilization and conservation, energy technologies, or the economic impacts of energy issues and a bachelor's degree; or
• One year of professional experience in energy resources, energy utilization and conservation, energy technologies, or the economic impacts of energy issues, and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Physical Sciences, or Energy Policy; or
• A master's degree in Mathematics, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Physical Sciences, or Energy Policy; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.