Posting Title

Prize Lead

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

JISEA is seeking a dynamic, organized, impact-driven project leader to implement a variety of innovative government competitions and programs. We are looking for a team player with the capabilities and talents to support end-to-end execution of 1-3 prizes concurrently, in the context of and with the support of the portfolio of prizes executed by NREL. The Prize Lead will be responsible for executing the day-to-day tasks of managing a prize competition from creating submission forms for the HeroX competition platform to securing competition judges and preparing selection statements based on judges’ scoring. The Prize Lead works under the direction of a Prize Lead to implement a successful competition.

Overall Objective of the Role: Alongside a strong team and in support of a Senior Prize Leader, successfully implement existing, ongoing prize competitions funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and implement new prize competitions and other innovative programs as they are developed.

On a given day, you will find yourself, under the supervision of a Senior Prize Lead, managing various elements of the prize challenges, such as working with DOE and NREL team members to develop a rules documents, designing and overseeing program outreach and events, presenting information to various audiences, tracking program metrics and finances, and much more.

This job requires working within a larger team of Senior Prize Leads and Prize Leads and the ability to support a project team while infusing your expertise in projects and competitions. It also requires a creative attitude and an interest in supporting multiple projects. In this role you will gain an advanced understanding of executing the prizes and competitions in the federal sector, on domain topics that match with your interests and educational background.

What this role offers you:

• A collaborative, fast-paced, and fun work environment where you can grow your project, prize, and competition development and execution skills to the next strategic level

• Endless opportunities to learn and grow from experienced professionals in numerous domains relevant to renewable energy

• Work developing cutting-edge projects and contributing to research in the renewable energy industry

• Experience that fosters a life-long desire to build better a future through innovative programs, technology, and data.

• Opportunity to travel to conferences and meetings across the country

Job Activities Level II-

• Executes day-to-day competition tasks with direction from a Senior Prize Lead

• Responsible for thoroughly understanding rules documents for assigned prize(s).

• Connects competitors to organizations within the American-Made Network of clean energy technical assistance providers, including matching competitors with a variety of national labs based on lab capabilities and competitor technical needs.

• Prepares the HeroX submission forms, updates information on the competition platform, and is responsible for keeping the site up to date.

• Develops power point slide decks for informational webinars to help external audiences learn about the various prizes and requirements.

• Coordinates and facilitates the review and selection process including preparing the scoring analysis documents NREL provides to DOE for each prize.

• Researches, secures and trains competition judges, facilitates review process and compiles scores for delivery to DOE.

• Completes score analysis and reviews, edits judges’ comments prior to distribution to teams.

• Prepares selection memo with all required information to make payments to winners and sends notifications to competitors.

• Manages the competition email inbox and FAQs in a responsive manner.

• May assist Prize Lead with subcontracting and lab voucher scopes and deliverables tracking.

• Participate in and help execute successful events, both virtual and in person.

• Coordinating with NREL Communications department to develop and coordinate American-Made Program communications materials as needed

• Contacts are primarily with internal staff. Infrequent external contacts on routine matters.

• Implements methods for analyzing and collectively managing projects. Responsible for delivery of tasks

• Follow all prize policies and procedures issued by NREL and DOE.

• May travel domestically 4-8 times per year, depending on the needs of each prize competition.

• Responsible for annual subtask and task budgets normally exceeding $100,000.

Job Activities Level III- In addition to the above job duties the level III is expected to:

• Execute day-to-day competition tasks with minimal direction from a Senior Prize Lead

• Work independently to manage complex project(s) activities, deliverables, and problems. Provides technical direction for staff for project(s) assignments and issues.

• Work collaboratively to develop metrics for prize success for reporting on prize impact

• Responsible for annual task or project budgets normally exceeding $1 MM.

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Basic Qualifications

Project Manager II- Relevant Master's Degree or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Complete understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices and standards. Full knowledge of technical field and related disciplines. Very good interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.

Project Manager III- Relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Advanced understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices and standards. Advanced knowledge of technical field and related disciplines. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Teamwork and collaboration. Particularly, evidence of mentoring and growing staff in a technical environment

• Ability to work with and under the direction of Sr Prize lead staff

• Interest in working in a high energy, highly dynamic research driven environment.

• Illustrated ability to make good decisions with limited information.

• Able to work with senior staff at NREL (PM and LPMs) and DOE.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in business, innovation, or science management, social sciences, or engineering.

• A track record of identification of challenges and action to make change in the target system.

• Working knowledge of prizes or competitions, particularly those implemented within the federal government space.

• An understanding of the complexity of making progress at the intersection of technology and society.

• An interest in working at a national laboratory supporting research in the public interest.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Project Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800

Job Profile: Project Manager III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

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E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.