Market Research and Evaluation Scientist - Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Catalyzing the most efficient use of energy for a thriving Northwest.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 13 million energy consumers. NEEA is dedicated to accelerating both electric and gas energy efficiency, leveraging its regional partnerships to advance the adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices.

About NEEA

NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area with a minimum of 2-days work onsite at NEEA’s office location.  Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US.

Summary

The Market Research and Evaluation (MRE) Scientist will serve as part of a cross-functional team established to develop and manage market transformation initiatives that seek to increase and accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency in the northwest. The MRE Scientist serves four critical functions: 1) effectively manage contractors commissioned to provide primary market research and/or evaluations of NEEA initiatives; 2) design research and evaluation plans to support key planning, program implementation and investment decisions; 3) manage the communication of research and evaluation findings both internally and externally; 4) serve the cross-functional team as the lead on research and evaluation methods aligning the objectives of research activities with initiative goals.  MRE Scientists are instrumental in soliciting input and feedback from utility partners in the course of ongoing research and evaluation efforts.

Whether through planning and oversight of studies conducted by external contractors or by way of direct support of and engagement with NEEA’s operations and program activities, the MRE Scientist strives to uphold the American Evaluation Association’s Guiding Principles for Evaluators in service to NEEA, our stakeholders, and our communities. The incumbent will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000, exempt 

• Salary is based on the applicants Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Could This Be Your Dream Job?

You ask questions and look to data – all kinds of data – for answers.  The tools of research are familiar, yet intriguing to you, and you know how and when to apply them. The prospect of working cross functionally with smart colleagues excites you.  You like looking for answers almost as much as you like finding them.  You’re curious, methodical, and objective.  Does this describe you?  If so, maybe you should join our team.

The Typical Day May Include…

• Facilitating a working session with a program team to identify the priority knowledge gaps, or “need to knows” that market research could address.
• Developing the research objectives and scope of work for your program’s annual market progress evaluation.
• Presenting to our Advisory Committees interim results of a current research project and guiding them in understanding the implications or actionable insights for their energy efficiency program.
• Meeting with evaluation contractors to determine the best approach to sampling for an upcoming survey of trade allies.
• Developing or refining the list of market progress indicators that link to the program’s theory of change and that could be cost-effectively tracked in annual evaluations.
• Drafting a request for proposals for research that will uncover market intelligence that addresses the research objectives within a reasonable timeframe and cost.

• Working with your contractor to design an interview guide, review a survey instrument, or improve a logic model. 
• Preparing a monthly budget forecast for an evaluation project.
• Meeting with the market execution team to gain consensus around research objectives for an upcoming evaluation.

What Are You Good At?

The right person for this job is committed to pursuing a more energy efficient Northwest. They want to be part of the effort to transform the market around products and practices that save energy. This person has experience designing and managing market research and evaluation studies. They appreciate the fact that to drive the market toward more efficient products, we need to understand barriers to adoption and to track and measure market changes. They can address challenges that are both theoretical and applied, strategic and tactical. 

You Likely Have The Following Experience:

• Strong project management experience.
• Experience managing contracts, including developing scopes of work and managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, for example, surveying, in-depth interviewing techniques, and analytics.
• Basic understanding of statistical methods, such as sampling, confidence intervals, and extrapolation.
• Basic knowledge of best practices for surveys.
• Basic understanding of how to read and analyze logic models.
• Proven record of success working with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Skills in planning and facilitating interactive team sessions is a bonus.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.

Your Education, Experience, and Skills:

• A Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred.
• A minimum of three years’ experience working in a professional environment, with at least two years in market research or evaluation.
• Deep understanding of the research process and working knowledge of sampling methodologies and their relevance to developing high value research.
• Strong familiarity and experience with developing research designs and analysis plans.
• Experience conducting primary market research through a variety of modes/methods.
• Experience developing qualitative methods for addressing research objectives.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties will also be considered.

NEEA’s benefits highlights:

90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, employer funded Health Savings Account, automatic 6% retirement contribution with 2% matching, 17-days PTO, flexible work schedule options, professional development.