About Us:
Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.
TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.
TRC’s professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs - so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.
Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.
Overview:
TRC’s Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation.
TRC is looking for a skilled communicator & strategic consultant to join our research consulting team. This consultant will support cross-cutting research communication and storytelling tasks for multi-disciplinary projects, develop trainings for the team, and engage with clients to support strategic consulting needs. TRC takes a science-based approach to communication, using cognitive science and user experience principles. Dependent on background, this position may also support additional research projects, including stakeholder engagement and facilitation, needs assessment, and process design.
No project is the same, and Senior Research Consultants get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Senior Research Consultants will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams and are starting to manage tasks and/or small- and medium-sized projects. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.
Successful candidates should have expertise in visual communication (including presentation development and data visualization), written communication (including technical writing), and verbal communication (including public speaking). Graphic design experience is not required, but an understanding of general visual communication principles is necessary. Preference is given to candidates that also have experience with client-based projects, including translating complex and sometimes fuzzy client ideas into clear, concise visual documents. Preference also given to candidates with experience in the energy industry or in working with engineering-based documents.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications are those an applicant must possess to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Undergraduate degree with 5+ years experience, Masters degree with 4+ years experience, or PhD with 2+ year of experience
• Applicable degrees include Marketing, Journalism, Communication, Evaluation, Environmental Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Public Policy, Business, or other relevant fields focused on communication, strategic consulting, research, or evaluation.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in applied research or evaluation (in years of experience corresponding to the achieved degree program)
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research communication.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.
• Proficiency in major presentation design tools, including Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Compelling portfolio showcasing visual design skills and ability to create clear and engaging presentations.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred qualifications are not required for an applicant to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Strong background on presenting/visual storytelling of complex or technical information.
• High business acumen and ability to understand business strategies and convert into visual storytelling.
• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including one or more of the following:
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Mural, Muro, Visio, or similar tool

Benefits*: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.
• These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.
Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company’s annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.
Disclaimers:
TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The complete job description and application are available on TRC’s career site.
TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.
Salary Range: USD $90,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr

• Visual Communication (presentations, marketing materials, case studies, graphics)
• Verbal Communication (client facilitation, public speaking)
• Written Communication (technical writing, copy editing)
• Strategic Consulting
  Preference for this position will be given to candidates based in one of the following locations: California, especially close to TRC’s office; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; or Michigan. However, qualified candidates will be considered from across the United States.
  Responsibilities:

The overall responsibilities of Senior Research Consultants – Communications & Strategic Consulting are to:

• Lead development of written & visual documents for complex, technical research projects
• Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks for communication & strategic consulting work
• Manage routine client interactions independently and bring in more senior team members for complex or sensitive client interactions.
• Develop increasing focus and specialization with industry area(s) of expertise in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Contribute to development of proposals and other business efforts.
• Support internal trainings and process improvements in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Manage time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on the following types of tasks, completed with minimal oversight under the direction of more senior team members:

• Visual communication
• Create clear & visually compelling presentations for complex research projects, trainings, proposals, and other strategic consulting needs
• Design charts and graphics for a variety of customer research & engineering projects
• Develop visual documents, such as 1-pagers, case studies, or marketing materials
• Support the development of tools & trainings for the team on visual design principles
• Written & verbal communication
• Support technical writing for research projects
• Help polish final research documents and proposals to improve clarity & conciseness
• Lead routine client calls
• Communicate about project results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
• Synthesize information across multiple data sources
• Translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients
• Support development of trainings for public speaking
• Strategic consulting
• Lead strategic consulting projects, including issue identification, client facilitation, and solutions development
• Translate complex engineering, evaluation, & energy-related concepts into general business terms
• Industry Expertise
• Stay informed about research communication practices and the clean energy industry through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations

Qualifications: