Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
Washington, DC or Oakland, CA
Senior Engineer/Scientist
Clean Vehicles Program
Washington, DC Office (preferable) or Oakland, CA Office
The Position
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the leading science-based
organization at the center of today’s most exciting and important
policy debates, seeks an individual to work with a top-notch, multidisciplinary team in our Clean Vehicles Program to advance sound
transportation policy to cut oil use, reduce global warming emissions,
and protect public health. UCS is seeking a senior engineer/scientist
with expertise in vehicle and fuels technology and policy to conduct
research and analysis and serve as a spokesperson focused on
issues/challenges related to oil use: the resource availability,
extraction technology, life cycle emissions and challenges of
conventional and unconventional oil as well as the solutions that save
oil and reduce global warming emissions (e.g. fuel economy, electric
vehicles). Candidates must have a strong technical background in one
or both of these fields. Candidates must also have a strong background
in oil or transportation policy and excellent written and oral
communication skills.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science
to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with
citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and
effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a
healthy, safe, and sustainable future. UCS is an acknowledged leader
in promoting sound climate, energy and transportation policy at the
federal and state levels. We have a reputation as honest brokers and
our analysis, advocacy, and public outreach efforts have been
instrumental in building public understanding, media attention, and
policymaker action on climate solutions.
Responsibilities
The senior engineer/scientist will help lead UCS efforts to better
understand and evaluate the life cycle climate impacts of extracting
conventional and unconventional oil resources, and the technologies
and policies that can reduce those impacts. The engineer/scientist will
also evaluate the potential for strong transportation sector legislative
and regulatory solutions to cut projected U.S. oil use in half in twenty
years and significantly reduce transportation related pollution,
including policies such as low carbon fuels standard, vehicle fuel
economy and greenhouse gas standards, and others.
This person will generate reports and analysis on oil resources,
extraction technology, climate impacts, and solutions for limiting the
impacts of expanding North American oil production while expanding
clean fuel alternatives. This person will also develop and recommend
related policies, and serve as a technical expert and a lead
spokesperson to media, government and key allies. They will provide
technical information and expertise through testimony, written
materials and public speaking and will actively promote promising
legislation at federal and state levels while assisting in the
development and management of regulatory campaigns on key oil and
transportation-related issues.
Qualifications and experience
This position requires five to seven years of comparable and relevant
experience for candidates with masters or equivalent experience,
including background in research and policy development and
analysis. Candidate must have experience communicating technical
issues to a non-technical audience through written products and
presentations. Candidate should have technical knowledge of either
the oil resource/extraction or transportation fields, including
hydraulic fracturing, tar sands mining, enhanced oil recovery, or
advanced vehicle and fuel technology, infrastructure, and industries.
Candidate should have familiarity with current oil and transportation
issues and their political/social/environmental/economic
ramifications. Position requires an understanding of public policy
aspects of transportation and related climate and oil issues and the
role of technical analyses and advocacy in shaping public opinion and
policy debates.
Applicants must have strong quantitative, analytical, and research
skills; strong writing and verbal skills; proficiency with computer
spreadsheet and word processing software; ability to write well for
scientific and general audiences; familiarity with economics and public
policy; and a team orientation. Direct experience with project
management, policymakers and the media a plus.
UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify
its staff andto broaden opportunities for individuals from
demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the
sciences and in environmental advocacy.
UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify
its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from
demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the
sciences and in environmental advocacy.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time position
preferably based in UCS’s Washington, DC office though our Oakland,
CA may also be a possibility. For candidates who meet all position
requirements, the salary is in the low to mid $70s. UCS offers excellent
benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about the
organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume or CV, a technical
writing sample and a general audience writing sample,, salary
requirements, and how you learned about the position via email
to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Senior Engineer/Scientist” in the
subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone
calls please. Deadline: November 2, 2014 or until filled.