Energy & Climate Change Intern
Job Description
DVRPC's Office of Energy and Climate Change Initiatives leads, supports, and coordinates efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater Philadelphia region. The office of Energy and Climate Change Initiatives is seeking one or two interns for several projects during the spring academic semester.
The first project will develop case studies of buildings and facilities in the region that have invested in energy efficiency. These case studies are a key tool for educating building managers and owners on the value of energy efficiency and conservation. Case studies will be developed using a standard template, and will highlight the energy use reduction impacts and financial costs and benefits of energy efficiency investments in existing and new construction building projects. The intern will be responsible for research, including interviews with property managers, quantitative analysis, and case study writing. Work is likely to require gathering, managing, and evaluating quantitative data regarding energy use in buildings and preparing case studies of energy savings with rigorous evaluation of costs and benefits.
The second project will involve assistance with the dissemination of DVRPC's Regional Circuit Rider Program. This program will support municipal governments in reducing energy costs in their operational sectors. Operational sectors include buildings/facilities, water/wastewater treatment, vehicles, and outdoor lighting. Generally, the program will provide technical assistance with measuring current energy use, identifying strategies for energy reduction and assistance with implementation.
The third project will be in support of an Electric Vehicle Action Plan for southeastern Pennsylvania. DVRPC is working with regional partners (PECO, the City of Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Coalition) to deliver a regionally-coordinated and comprehensive approach to address the introduction of plug-in electric drive vehicle charging infrastructure into the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania within PECO Energy Company's ("PECO") electric service territory.
Responsibilities
DVRPC's Energy and Climate Change Intern will be responsible for working on one or more of the projects outlined above. For the case study project, the intern will develop up to 5 case studies highlighting energy efficiency and conservation building projects in the region. Specific activities may include researching selected buildings, interviewing building owners, drafting text and populating case study templates, attending meetings and collaborating with project partners. For the Regional Circuit Rider Project, the intern may be asked to compile energy use data and enter into spreadsheets, conducting data analysis, conduct interviews with municipalities, and assisting with setting up workshops and meetings. Support for the Electric Vehicle Action Plan may include conducting literature reviews, compiling existing plans and reports, and helping to staff meetings.
Qualifications
- Interest and background or training in energy and/or climate change issues.
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Able to perform independent research and gather data from objective/reliable sources.
- Strong quantitative skills, excellent writing skills and initiative.
- Ability to work independently and highly motivated
Availability
This position requires a commitment of 37.5 hours per week in the summer and 7.5 to 15 hours per week during the academic year.
Compensation
Students with Work Study grants preferred.
Minimum Experience and Training
Completed at least THREE YEARS of a college/university program or enrolled in a master's program (preferred), or an equivalent combination of experience and training.