The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Science, Technology and Policy Program is designed to provide opportunities for students, postgraduates, established scientists and faculty to participate in programs, projects, and activities at the Department. Fellows will receive hands-on experience that provides an understanding of the mission, operations, and culture of DOE. As a result, fellows will gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of energy technology policies; apply their scientific, policy, and technical knowledge to the development of solutions to issues of importance to the DOE, and continue their education and involvement in areas that support the DOE mission either in a technical or policy-related role. The DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is seeking ORISE fellows to support its mission and construct several clean energy and energy efficiency programs. 

About The Office of State and Community Energy Programs

As part of DOE’s Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure, the mission of the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is to support state, local, and tribal governments as they significantly accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and practices through place-based strategies. SCEP was created in January 2022 to implement key parts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the office oversees nearly $18 billion in funding. SCEP is responsible for several foundational grant, prize, and technical assistance programs, including the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), the State Energy Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program. SCEP also is responsible for launching several new and exciting programs that will support state, tribal, and local governments. 

These activities help decrease energy costs and contribute to decarbonization efforts, provide good-paying jobs with a fair and free choice to join a union and collectively bargain, and secure clean energy economy benefits for all Americans, especially marginalized and low-income communities that have long borne the brunt of pollution.

About the IRA Home Energy Rebates Program

On Aug. 16, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The law includes $391 billion to support clean energy and address climate change, including $8.8 billion in rebates for home energy efficiency and electrification projects.

These home energy rebates will help American households save money on energy bills, upgrade to clean energy equipment, improve energy efficiency, and reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that these rebates will save households up to a $1 billion on energy bills each year and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. This website includes information about the IRA Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates.

DOE envisions that the Home Energy Rebates will help grow the equitable clean energy economy by scaling access to and demand for home energy upgrades for all. The mission of DOE’s Home Energy Rebates team is to work with diverse market actors to leverage the unprecedented IRA investment in residential efficiency and electrification to develop, discover, and scale successful models for home energy upgrades.

Fellowship Activities

The objectives of this opportunity include development in the areas of:

• Grants Management:
  • Learning to review grantee applications, plans, budgets, receipts, and other administrative items for completion and accuracy.
  • Learning to monitor and coach grantees through the application, grant performance, and close-out processes.
  • Connecting grantees with relevant technical assistance.
  • Supporting overall program management of awards.
  • Identifying process improvements in the grants management process.
  • Supporting grantee outreach.
  • Identifying policies and best practices in state, tribal, and local governments that can be shared with grantees by SCEP’s stakeholders.
• Clean Energy Knowledge and Expertise:
  • Providing technical knowledge around energy efficiency technology deployment to state and tribal governments.
  • Researching best practices and writing and editing detailed how-to guides for governments to follow as they develop new clean energy deployment programs.
  • Collaborating with contractors or DOE staff to deliver clean energy technical assistance, materials, curriculums, webinars, workshops, etc.
• Building an innovative new team at DOE
  • Supporting a new DOE office as it stands up a large clean energy program to help state and tribal governments reach their clean energy and energy efficiency goals.
  • Coordinating with other DOE offices and engaging stakeholders, including state and tribal governments, public and private interest groups, and DOE Laboratories and Golden Field Offices, to maintain knowledge of industry developments, technology trends, and technology program deployment goals.

As a result of this program, participants are expected to:

• Gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of policies and programs that affect clean energy technology developments.
• Contribute to the implementation of energy projects by providing their scientific and technical expertise to grantees as they develop solutions for problems in areas of energy efficiency.
• Continue their education and involvement in areas that support the SCEP mission either in a programmatic or policy-related role.

Fellow Benefits

Selected candidates will receive a stipend. Amounts are determined by DOE officials, based on the candidate’s academic and professional background, starting at approximately: 

• Undergraduate degree: $68,400
• Master’s degree: $75,329
• PhD: $82,764

Fellows are eligible for health insurance benefits. Participants will also receive a travel allowance of $10,000 per appointment year to cover travel-related expenses for project and professional development activities.

Duration

Fellowships are initially for one year in length and may be renewed yearly up to an additional four years. Renewals are determined by SCEP based on the project needs, availability of funds, and fellow interest and availability.

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment..