Lead Research Consultant

Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.

TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.

TRC's professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs -- so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.

Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation.

R&C's Research Consultants conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon advanced energy industry subject matter expertise, and helping clients understand how to use these insights.

Lead Research Consultants are analysts a few years into their career who work side by side with more experienced consulting staff to learn about the clean energy industry, learn new analytic skills, engage in sophisticated research projects, and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same, and Lead Research Consultants get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Lead Research Consultants will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams, including managing tasks and/or small projects. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.

Primary Work Areas:

• Codes and Standards
• Technical Market Research
• Market Transformation and Technology Transfer
• Emerging Technologies Research and Demonstrations
• Utility Program Evaluation

This position will ideally be located in California, but other locations will be considered. Preference is for a candidate located near one of TRC's California offices in Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, or Rancho Cordova (Sacramento), but this is not required.

The overall responsibilities of Lead Research Consultants are to:

• Plan and execute standard research, data collection, and analysis project tasks with minimal oversight from senior team members, while performing novel and increasingly complicated project tasks in coordination with senior team members.
• Perform assigned work within budget allocated and scheduled needs for deliverables of project.
• Manage time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.
• Collaborate or oversee more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks.

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on Codes and Standards through the following types of tasks, completed with limited oversight and under the direction of more senior team members:

• Energy code proposal analysis
  • Conduct technical analyses in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances
  • Develop and implement calculations to estimate energy savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of energy policies, green building solutions, and electric vehicle infrastructure
  • Perform engineering analyses to propose code measure definition and limitations
  • Define energy modeling inputs, refine assumptions to optimize measure performance, and interpret outputs for quality assurance
  • Collect measure cost data through interviews, literature reviews, online retailers, RS Means, and other sources
  • Summarize cost-effectiveness findings and impacts on building occupants and societally to ensure alignment with policy and equity objectives
  • Summarize approaches for policy compliance and enforceability
• Policy development and advancement
  • Support the drafting of building energy codes and local energy code ordinances with city and state governments
  • Review and summarize building permit data scope and cost
  • Develop supporting tools, such as presentations and staff reports, documenting supporting positions for code adoption such as research and stakeholder feedback
  • Assist with stakeholder outreach and engagement related to adoption of building energy codes
  • Assist with state agency approval of local ordinances through the Energy Commission, Building Standards Commission, and/or Housing and Community Development
• Secondary research
  • Research clean energy policies, program designs, technologies, and research methodologies
  • Complete literature reviews
  • Collect and analyze market research data
  • Identify and collate secondary data sources
• Research synthesis and communication
  • Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
  • Synthesize information across multiple data sources
  • Translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients
• Industry Expertise
  • Stay informed about decarbonization policy and electrification through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations
• Project management
  • Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of small research consulting projects, with oversight
  • Delegate project tasks to team members, as needed
  • Communicate project status and findings to client, with oversight

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications are those an applicant must possess to be considered a candidate for the position.

• PhD with 1+ year of experience, Masters degree with 3+ year of experience, or Undergraduate degree with 4+ year experience
• Applicable degrees include Environmental Science, Energy Systems, Architecture, Physics, or other relevant fields focused on building or technology design, research, or policy.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in building science, energy codes and standards, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research (in years of experience corresponding to the achieved degree program)
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications are not required for an applicant to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including one or more of the following:
• Energy codes and/or appliance standards
• Building science and/or clean transportation
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• The clean energy market
• Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below:
• Building energy modeling
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Literature review
• Research presentation
• Data analysis and statistics
• Surveys
• In-depth interviews
• Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• EnergyPlus
• CBECC
• R
• ArcGIS
• PowerBI

Benefits: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.

*These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company's annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.

#LI-CS3

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Accessibility/Reasonable Accommodations

TRC complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at hr@trccompanies.com.

To address your request, the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you
• The position title
• Requisition number

Upon receipt of this information, we will respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

The complete job description and application are available on TRC's career site.

TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.