Manager Technical Assistance Electric School Bus Initiative

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Job Description

ESB Program Overview: School bus electrification represents a unique opportunity to accelerate decarbonization while bringing direct, tangible benefits to every community in the United States. This transition can help make electric mobility the new normal for an entire generation and help to address historic under investments in communities of color, low income and rural communities. Through the U.S. Electric School Bus Initiative, created in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, WRI’s aim is to create unstoppable momentum toward equitably electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses. Overcoming the cost, infrastructure, policy and other barriers to mass adoption will require a systemic approach that engages an entire ecosystem of actors and prioritizes inclusive planning with impacted communities.

Together with partners, WRI is working in five areas of focus:

Support school districts in accelerating the equitable transition to electric school buses
Collaborate with manufacturers across the electric school bus supply chain in preparing for an equitable and sustainable transition
Work with electric utilities to improve interconnection and investments for electric school bus charging infrastructure, including supportive rates and tariffs
Engage policymakers to drive policies that grow demand and reduce barriers, and to increase electric school bus public funding
Partner with communities pursuing school bus electrification, and provide the tools and resources to make it happen

The ESB program is part of the broader U.S. Connective Mobility team which aims to increase access to safe, affordable and low carbon transport systems for all. This includes equitably expanding access to zero emissions buses, freight and port equipment, advancing battery circularity as well as improving road safety. This team also supports work internationally on electric buses, freight and 2-3 wheelers.

Job Highlight:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work:

In this role, you will help achieve the goals of the WRI Electric School Bus Initiative. You will be located in the Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, within the Connective Mobility Program and will manage technical assistance activities to U.S. school districts and state-level organizations with the goal of creating demand for electric school buses and reducing the barriers that districts face when transitioning to electric fleets.

You will manage a variety of projects and activities that include working with technical and managerial staff at school districts and with state-level organizations to ensure they have the understanding and tools needed to successfully adopt electric school buses.

You will lead on establishing relationships with state agencies and other stakeholders in at least 1-2 strategic geographies to support policy implementation and deliver technical assistance at scale.

You will also be responsible for developing tools and resources useful for carrying in-depth technical assistance to school districts and state-level organizations on topics such as charging infrastructure planning, electric utility coordination, market and product analysis, operational planning, procurement preparation, driver and fleet manager training, fleet testing, among others, depending on topics deemed necessary.

You will do all work with a commitment to the Electric School Bus Initiative’s equity-centered mission.

You will report to the Senior Manager, School Bus Electrification and Battery Circularity.

What will you do:

Engagement and Technical Assistance:

Lead technical assistance and engagement efforts for federal funding and certain ESBI strategic geographies and overseeing the development of related resources.
Contribute implementation expertise to inform ESBI policy proposals aimed at accelerating the equitable adoption of electric school buses.
Develop new relationships with stakeholders across ESBI strategic geographies to provide technical assistance to school districts, state agencies and partner organizations.
Be a point of contact for on-going grant projects as well as on-going school district support.
Officially represent the Initiative with state partners and school districts at external events.
Be an expert on electrifying school bus fleets and disseminate findings and best practices through publications, presentations, webinars, conferences, interviews, etc.

Program and Personnel Management :

Be an active member of ESBI team and ensure coordination with other areas of the initiative.
Manage and mentor junior staff, including our interns.
Manage contractors and partner organizations.
Attend various internal and external functions and events, as relevant, to serve as an Electric School Bus Initiative representative.
Organize internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and other dissemination activities.

Research & Knowledge :

Support the development and dissemination of case studies.
Participate in internal and external peer review processes for publications and papers.

Business Development and Fundraising :

Support the Senior Manager as needed on fundraising efforts.
Provide ongoing updates and reporting materials to donors.

What will you need:

Education:

You have a completed Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sustainable energy, city planning, transportation, economics, business administration, or a related field (or a bachelor’s degree with two years of additional relevant work experience)

Experience:

Minimum of seven years of relevant, full-time work experience
Experience working at or with school districts, especially as it relates to fleet management or with state level technical assistance organizations such as Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions.
Demonstrated ability to lead and engage with large groups of diverse stakeholders on complex technical topics
Demonstrated ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
Demonstrated project management experience
Demonstrated personnel management experience
Collaborative problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
Detail-oriented, organized, and independent thinker
Commitment to advancing equity-focused solutions