Senior Associate, Energy Efficiency

Are you passionate about decarbonization and looking to help transform the US electricity system? Do you enjoy tackling complicated problems with robust analysis and thoughtful communication? If yes, Synapse has a position for you.

Synapse is a consulting company that has been providing rigorous analysis on behalf of public interest clients in the energy sector for more than 25 years. Our work includes expert analysis, reports, and high-impact expert witness testimony in docketed proceedings before public utility commissions across the country and in Canada. Our clients are primarily environmental non-profits, state agencies, federal agencies, and consumer and environmental advocacy groups. Synapse places great value on our staff. We are a high-energy, forward‐thinking, collaborative group with a real passion for the public interest and sustainability.

Synapse is seeking a Senior Associate with robust quantitative and writing skills with a strong desire to dive into innovative rate design and utility regulatory models. Candidates should be committed to advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and consumer protection. We are looking for a candidate to start working in the Summer of 2023 in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office on a hybrid basis.

Job Description

The Senior Associate will join our consulting team that works with national, state, municipal, and utility program administrators to improve policies, programs, and practices for DSM resources including energy efficiency, demand response, battery storage, solar, and building electrification. This role combines quantitative and policy analysis to develop comments, expert witness testimony, and cutting-edge industry reports.

Synapse works on a diverse set of issues pertaining to energy efficiency and demand response. As a Senior Associate focused on DSM resources, you will work across the following areas: 

• Assessment of proposed utility programs with respect to:
  • Costs, energy savings, cost-effectiveness, rate and bill impacts, and avoided costs
  • Program design and delivery
  • Equity issues (particularly for low-income and other vulnerable populations)
  • Economic efficiency, fairness, and energy policy goals
• The integration of building decarbonization in the program framework.
• Regulatory and policy reform related to performance incentive mechanisms, cost-recovery, fuel-switching, and decarbonization.
• The use of DSM resources as a non-wire and non-pipeline alternative for utility infrastructure planning.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical resource to review utility DSM filings.
• Create, maintain, and utilize spreadsheet models to analyze cost-effectiveness and rate and bill impacts of utility investments.
• Clearly and succinctly summarize your analysis and policy conclusions in reports, presentations, and expert witness testimony sponsored or co-sponsored by Synapse senior staff.
• Work in a team environment with both senior and junior staff members, and able to work independently and take initiative on tasks.
• Managing projects in the Energy Efficiency topic area

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Economics, Energy and Environmental Policy, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree, or 2+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Doctorate.
• A strong desire to grow your skills and build expertise related to DSM on behalf of public interest clients.
• Experience analyzing large amounts of data and converting analysis into quantitative and qualitative information to aid in decision-making processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate well in teams.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.
• Project, budget, or staff management experience

You don't have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed above. If your skills are transferable or you are near the number of years of experience we seek, please apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Any of the following qualifications will be considered an asset:

• A Master’s degree in economics or similar field
• Knowledge of utility energy efficiency or other DSM programs
• Familiarity with cost-effectiveness principles
• Experience in the electric utility or energy sector
• Experience with quasi-judicial/regulatory environments
• Experience with consulting
• Experience leading and managing teams, clients, and projects
• Expert witness testimony experience: ability to develop persuasive arguments for testimony and reports based on analysis of quantitative and qualitative evidence

Working at Synapse

Synapse offers numerous benefits to its employees:

• Generous PTO (35 days)
• Flexible work hours and holidays, and the ability to choose a schedule that works for you
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Profit-sharing bonuses
• Collaboration: everybody contributes, asks questions, proposes solutions, and works on interesting research and analysis
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• Cambridge, MA office space with sit-stand desks, lots of meeting space, indoor bike parking, and plenty of nitro cold-brew and kombucha on tap

Senior Associate base salary: $85,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our beginning base salary range represents the floor for this position and does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary from the floor based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Synapse offers competitive market salaries, based on our primary market of nonprofits and government agencies. Our salaries reflect our work for these public interest clients.

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position. Authorization to work in the United States is required to be considered.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe your work experience with DSM resources. This position is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Synapse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.