The climate crisis is the defining issue of our generation that requires an urgent economy-wide transition to clean energy.  

Are you an experienced analyst and data enthusiast with intense curiosity and a drive to halt the climate crisis while enhancing equity and environmental justice for overburdened communities? Are you willing to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas? Do you have exceptional ability to structure and execute analytic and strategic problem solving? Can you communicate complex analysis to a broad range of audiences? If yes, then join our growing team!  

RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute) is looking for an Associate or Senior Associate to join the Analysis team in the US Program to focus on economywide deep decarbonization analysis with an initial focus on state policy. 

RMIers bring a variety of skillsets and experiences to our mission, and we welcome applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. 

Program Overview 

The US Program works to accelerate the US transition to an equitable, climate-aligned future for all. The US Program collaboratively develops RMI’s overall US strategy by establishing clear priorities while working to integrate, elevate, and fill gaps in US-focused work across RMI’s programs. The US Program works with government, industry, and civil society across all economic sectors to accelerate equitable decarbonization in the United States.  

Position Overview 

As an Associate/Senior Associate, you will work closely with and under the direction of more senior staff to deliver analysis and communications in support of our program strategy to drive more ambitious and rapid climate action among public, private, and civil society actors. Your initial focus will be to:  

• Provide analytical support to our State Ambition initiative, which works with a small number of leading states to bring about meaningful climate policy progress in the next 2 years 
• Support the foundational work of maintaining and updating our code and data infrastructure for state Energy Policy Simulator models 
• Support analysis of equity and environmental justice impacts of policies (e.g. distribution of costs and benefits with respect to race, socioeconomic status, and overburdened or marginalized communities). 

We do not believe in creating analysis for academic interests. We conduct research to drive insight and we harness data to drive decisions. The goal is impact.   

Core Responsibilities: 

Analysis 

• Develop and maintain code in Python to support the Analysis team’s climate policy modeling (primarily in the Energy Policy Simulator) 
• Lead and contribute to research efforts, including methodology development, data sourcing and optimizing, dashboard development, aggregation and synthesis, data visualization (e.g. interactive charts and maps), insights development, presentation development, and publications 
• Map greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathways for the United States and states, including economy-wide and sector-by-sector pathways for electricity, transportation, buildings, and industry 
• Estimate the impact of proposed policies and efforts on state-level GHG emissions to identify highest impact strategies 
• In collaboration with other RMI experts, create policy options by sector that will accelerate GHG reductions and help reduce the gap between the projected trajectory and necessary climate-safe trajectory 
• Aggregate, synthesize, and present cross-organizational efforts to drive U.S. GHG reduction efforts 

Communication and Partnerships 

• Create compelling communication materials to synthesize analytical research in simple, clear, easy-to-understand formats and drive change.  
• Support outreach to peer organizations, funders, and state government agencies to build relationships and identify opportunities for enhanced, strategic collaboration 
• Conduct in-depth interviews to inform research, analysis, and enhanced collaboration 
• Assist in the design and execution of meetings aimed at identifying GHG reduction activity gaps and developing ideas for solutions 

Thought leadership 

• Proactively identify proposed next steps for research, analysis, and synthesis to support more strategies to reduce emissions, while enhancing social equity, environmental justice, and other social benefits.  
• Conduct research to better understand key opportunities and gaps, identify patterns, and develop a deep understanding of what is possible by different actors 
• For each of the sectors of the economy, co-develop action strategies to support city, state, and business efforts to reduce GHGs 
• Develop domestic strategies for scaling renewables deployment, coal and gas retirements, efficiency, electrification, and clean transportation and industry 

Minimum Qualifications 

• 2+ years of cumulative work experience (for Associate) 
• 4+ years of cumulative work experience (for Senior Associate) 
• Degree and/or relevant experience in an applicable field such as economics, engineering, sustainability, data science, or public policy 
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, specifically including Excel and Python 
• Relevant topical/sector experience in one or more relevant areas—U.S. energy systems, climate policy, environmental justice, climate equity, buildings, transportation, industry 
• Relevant technical/analytical experience in one or more relevant areas—energy pathways modeling, technoeconomic analysis, impact evaluation, system dynamics, energy systems modeling, geospatial analysis, equity analysis (especially with respect to race and socioeconomic status) 
• Ability to clearly break down and communicate complex issues in a straightforward, logical, and structured manner 
• Comfort working in both collaborative team settings as well as independently 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously 
• Ability to listen actively, be diplomatic, and work with diverse and fluid teams 
• Willingness to dive into new areas of work and to learn new subject matter 
• Intellectual curiosity and a passion for environmental sustainability 
• A passion for RMI’s mission 

RMI ensures thoughtful review of each candidate to determine the appropriate position level for all individuals and this will be communicated during to the interview process. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Graduate degree and/or relevant experience in an applicable field such as economics, engineering, sustainability, data science, or public policy 
• Experience living and/or working in frontline communities 
• Experience working among diverse groups with varying perspectives 
• Experience with state, city, or business efforts to reduce emissions 
• Familiarity with a variety of quantitative analysis and data visualizations tools and languages, including: SQL, R, Tableau, QGIS/ArcGIS, Git (note that Python is our primary coding language and is mentioned in minimum qualifications above) 
• Advanced experience in Excel, (e.g. pivot tables, conditional formatting, and advanced charting) 
• Familiarity and experience with group facilitation 

Location

The US Program is a hybrid team with team members working around the country, both remotely and out of RMI offices in Oakland, CA, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boulder, or Basalt, Colorado. Employees are encouraged to consider locating near an office but location is flexible and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Compensation

The starting salary range for you as an Associate would be $76,000 – $82,000, and the starting salary range as a Senior Associate would be $86,000 – $93,000. Salary to be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

You would also have an additional 5% bonus target! 

Benefits: 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including: 

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance 

• 403b Retirement Options (5% match immediately) 
• Generous PTO 
• Learning & Development opportunities 
• Parental leave 
• Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Commuter and Wellness Benefits  

Diversity 

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future. 

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we: 

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. 
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued. 
• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.  

RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

About RMI 

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut GHG emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing. 

JOB CODE: 1000457