Net Zero Grid Fellow

Position Overview

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is seeking a full-time Net Zero Grid Fellow for Spring/Summer 2025.  

Why the Net Zero Grid Team at MassCEC is a Great Place to Work:

The Net Zero Grid team works on initiatives at the heart of MA’s energy transition. As the Commonwealth continues towards its commitment to Net Zero emissions by 2050, the electric grid must transform to meet increased electricity demand and ensure safety, reliability, and resiliency.   To achieve this grid transformation, utilities, policy makers, regulators, and stakeholders must collaborate to identify and implement innovative grid solutions that provide a clean and just energy future for all.  

Our work is exciting and significant because the electric grid is the backbone of the transition to Net Zero. The initiatives we support require deep collaboration with players across the state and drive influential work that will impact every household and business in the State.   Some initiatives that we are currently working on relate to:

• How Hydrogen fits into the State’s decarbonization strategy
• Supporting communities to withstand outages in a future where everything from heating to transportation relies on electricity
• Funding innovative electric grid technologies, including energy storage and new software tools
• Researching how we can meet the Commonwealth’s climate goals at the lowest cost and ensure affordable electricity for all residents
• Exploring how we can get more out of our current electric grid to meet increasing energy demand
• Supporting the State’s hydropower facilities’ ability to modernize and contribute to greater clean energy generation

Who You Are:

• Someone with an interest in a career in clean energy and the climate space
• Someone who wants an opportunity to work with and understand the major players in clean energy initiatives in MA (we work every day with utility companies, policy makers, private companies, etc)
• Someone who is interested in learning more about the current state of our electric grid and the critical work that’s underway to support the State’s Net Zero goals
• Someone who is a team player, a curious person, and wants to jump in!

More about Your Day-to-Day:

The Net Zero Grid Fellow will work in MassCEC’s supportive and collaborative work environment, assisting the Program Managers, Program Administrator, and Senior Program Director. The Fellow will participate in team and external meetings, contribute to grant project management, conduct targeted market, policy and other relevant research, assist with event coordination, and may present results to the team and/or broader organization. The Fellow will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the energy industry (specifically around grid modernization) and related regulatory structures and policy landscapes, write about and present research results, and network with clean energy industry stakeholders. 

The fellowship program at MassCEC includes various educational and networking opportunities, including:

• In-depth overview presentations from division heads;
• Lunch-time Tech Talks and Brown Bag Presentations;
• Guided tour of the Wind Technology Testing Center; and
• Other industry related events.

Job Duties

• Work as part of a team on projects related to grid modernization. Tasks may include stakeholder outreach, grant administration, organizing events, analysis of best practices, research, data visualization, creating targeted reports, drafting memos and letters, and working with others to create graphics and maps.
• Participate (with supervisor), as needed, at meetings, roundtables, and conferences related to team initiatives.
• Organize and update project timelines and databases related to various Net Zero Grid programs.
• Manage and respond to inbound program related email inquiries.
• Create and maintain slide decks for staff presentations (internal and external), websites for each of the programs, and program related blog posts.
• Assist team with Public Records Requests.
• Organize internal brown bag events, coordinating with other MassCEC divisions as necessary.
• Assist Program Administrator and Program Managers with project grant management and administration.
• Attend Net Zero Grid program check-in meetings, take notes, and complete follow up tasks as necessary.
• Gain experience and familiarity with clean energy sector growth and maturation lifecycle and related challenges.
• Monitor requests from and schedule meetings with external parties requesting to engage with the Net Zero Grid program.

Position Qualifications

• Availability to work full time from January-June 2025. NOTE: Fellows MUST be in the Boston office on the first day of the fellowship (January 13, 2025) and the last day (June 27, 2025). 
• Demonstrated interest in the clean energy sector
• In the past, this position has been a good fit for undergraduate-level students. However, we strongly encourage interested and qualified candidates from all educational backgrounds to apply.  
• We welcome applicants from various backgrounds and experience levels for this role. Whether you're a college undergraduate (sophomore or higher) or a graduate student, pursuing a degree in science, environmental studies, business administration, public policy, or any related field, we encourage you to apply. What matters most to us is your passion for clean energy and environmental sustainability, along with a desire to contribute meaningfully to our initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong writing skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Proven attention to detail with a proactive approach
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to show discretion while representing a government agency
• Ability to meet multiple simultaneous deadlines
• Candidate must be able to occasionally travel in the metropolitan Boston area 
• Bonus: Basic knowledge of energy efficiency and renewables
• Bonus: Experience with Excel preferred
• Bonus: Experience working with the public preferred

Timing

MassCEC is looking for a fellow who can start in January 2025 and continue through June 2025 on a full-time basis. Applicants should be available to work 40 hours per week.  

Supervision

The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Program Managers in close coordination with other Net Zero Grid staff at MassCEC.

Salary

The fellow will earn $20 per hour and be eligible to work for up to 40 hours per week.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state. 

Mission

MassCEC’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy and climate solution innovation that is critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals, advancing Massachusetts’ position as an international climate leader while growing the state’s clean energy economy.

Our Values

MassCEC is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone is welcomed, supported, respected, and valued. We are committed to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice in all aspects of our work in order to promote the equitable distribution of the health and economic benefits of clean energy and support a diverse and inclusive clean energy industry. MassCEC strives to lead and innovate in equitable clean energy and climate solutions.

To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to email a resume, cover detailing the candidate’s interest in working at MassCEC and relevant qualifications letter through our Online Career Center.

Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply.