Senior Energy Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Senior Energy and Climate Analyst
Supervisor: Ashish Kapoor – Senior Energy and Climate Advisor
Office Location: Warrenton, VA
Job Classification: Full-time Exempt

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

PEC is seeking an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join our team and advocate for sustainable energy solutions in PEC’s nine-county region and the Commonwealth. The Senior Energy and Climate Policy Analyst will report to the Senior Energy and Climate Advisor and work in coordination with PEC’s Land Use and State Policy staff to represent the organization in energy policy matters at the local, regional and state level.

The analyst will further develop positions on significant areas of energy policy that impact our region and work with PEC staff to ensure those positions are consistently and accurately represented.

Other responsibilities include participating in the Virginia Conservation Network’s working groups related to energy matters and collaborating with individual partners on statewide and regional campaigns and legislative efforts that further the mission of the organization. This includes developing and advancing policy solutions on key energy/climate related issues (e.g., distributed generation development, utility-scale solar siting, agrivoltaics, storage, etc.) for our region and assisting in the identification and development of legislation that may be necessary to accomplish organizational goals.

A strong applicant will communicate effectively (written and verbally) with all levels throughout the organization and beyond. They must have a technical background in energy and climate policy with a commitment to advancing sustainable and clean energy policy solutions and environmental justice rulings, while keeping energy providers accountable. Familiarity with all aspects of energy production, transmission, distribution and regulation at state and federal levels is required. A working knowledge of land use planning and land conservation would be beneficial.

Activities and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a technical resource, providing guidance and recommendations to local land use representatives and management on local energy and climate-related issues, including, but not limited to, advising local zoning and ordinance development related to clean energy, providing input on energy projects, and assisting with implementation of local policies that encourage distributed generation.
• Facilitating the development of pilot projects and working with the PEC Communications team to highlight key distributed generation projects in the Piedmont region.
• Developing shareable metrics and data analysis for distributed generation projects (i.e., graphs highlighting data from PEC’s agrivoltaics project, solar energy savings charts/calculators, etc.)
• Assisting with research related to the development of legislative priorities and legislative language.
• Monitoring energy generation, transmission, transport and extraction trends and regulatory matters at the regional and state levels in anticipation of future challenges.
• Working with the President, Senior Energy and Climate Advisor, and Director of Land Use to evaluate and demonstrate the potential for distributed energy resource investments in our region (i.e., parking lot and rooftop solar, agrivoltaics, virtual power plants) and working with stakeholders to advance those projects.
• Staying apprised of and weighing in on energy plans, climate policy and related legislation.
• Assisting the President, Senior Energy and Climate Advisor and other relevant staff in the development of PEC responses to energy projects or issues of local, regional or statewide import.
• Updating staff regularly on energy matters.
• Representing the organization on technical advisory committees and workgroups (distributed generation, agrivoltaics, storage, etc.) at the state level and in regional energy discussions as needed.
• Working directly with Senior Energy and Climate Advisor and allied organizations to organize the public around campaigns, policies and outcomes supportive of the PEC mission, such as Solarize Piedmont, our annual Solar on the Farm events and certain legislative and regulatory actions.
• Developing summaries and reports for PEC’s website, online alerts, newsletters and fundraising materials.
• Analyzing the impact(s) of energy policy on meeting climate objectives both locally and statewide.
• Collaborating with Senior Energy and Climate Advisor, Communications and Advancement staff to secure appropriate funding, highlight the benefits of PEC’s energy work in the region, and mobilize supporters and the public at large.
• Representing PEC at public events and community functions, to potentially include appearing in organization social media, print publications and digital channels.

This position will be based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA or in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with their supervisor. PEC’s hybrid work policy includes a requirement of at least one day per week in the office. This position will require travel within PEC’s nine-county service area and Richmond, Virginia. Occasional nights and weekends may be required

• Bachelor’s degree in energy resources, public policy, engineering, or related field and a minimum of 7 years work experience is required.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including ability to
• write, edit and proofread written materials for PEC staff, Board of Directors, supporters and the public at large.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse activities and deadlines with minimal
• supervision.
• Familiarity with computers and the use of online tools, such as Google Suite/Microsoft Office productivity software and GIS.
• Willingness and ability to work some weekends and evenings as events and meetings dictate.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

• In-depth knowledge of regulated natural gas and electric industry. Virginia, PJM and/or Dominion territory – specific knowledge is preferred.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including ability and desire to build relationships with a
• diverse constituency that includes political officials, nonprofit representatives, consultants and community members with a wide range of backgrounds, professions and perspectives.
• Ability to work in and create an effective and positive team environment, fostering mutual
• trust, respect and cooperation among staff and volunteers.
• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

This position will be completed in an office environment. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. Occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs. is required. Due to the public-facing nature of PEC’s mission and community events, employees may occasionally be photographed, filmed or quoted for use in organization publications, promotional materials, social media and website content.

Salary range is $80,000 – $100,000 and negotiable within the posted range, depending on qualifications and experience.

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 80% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent care)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Cell phone reimbursement, up to $75 per month
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

Application Deadline: Sept. 6th, 2026

The Piedmont Environmental Council recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, and therefore our job descriptions are guidelines. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested. If you have any questions or concerns, please email apply@pecva.org.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.