Research Assistant I

This project will focus on the Climate Gap in California and examine how disadvantaged communities have been impacted by and responded to California public utilities Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Mitigating PSPS impacts requires accelerating resilience from the bottom up through engagement and resource deployment at the community level. Through surveys and key stakeholder interviews, significant findings will be developed into case studies that highlight the challenges disadvantaged communities face with PSPS events and successful technical and non-technical energy resiliency responses.

Under supervision of the Principal Investigator – Mr. John McMillan – and Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Erlinde Cornelis, and Graduate Research Assistant, the undergraduate Research Assistants will assist with a variety of functions in support of the project. The employee will be part of a 4-person research team conducting activities in community engagement, developing and distributing stakeholder surveys, collecting and analyzing survey responses, scheduling of and participating in key stakeholder interviews, and supporting the development of case studies on successful technical and non-technical energy resiliency solutions to PSPS events.

Coordinate communications related to the project (20%)

Assist with survey development and review methodology (25%)

Assist with key stakeholder interviews guide and review methodology (25%)

Participate in conducting a literature review to support survey and interview efforts (20%)

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned (10%)

The successful applicant will work under the direct supervision of the PI and Co-PI performing a variety of project support activities, including development of survey portal, questions, and review criteria; development of key stakeholder interview guide, questions and review criteria; secondary research; and general assistance with research activities.