Business Support Professional - International Programs

Posting TitleBusiness Support Professional - International Programs

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NREL

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.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

This position is a Business Support Professional (BSP) in the Accelerated Deployment and Decision Support (ADDS) Center within the Strategic Energy Analysis and Decision Sciences (SEADS) Directorate of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  The ADDS mission is to provide comprehensive (multi-technology) expertise in techno-economics, policy, planning, finance, and project development to move clean energy technologies into the marketplace. 

The ADDS Center is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic candidate that will serve as the primary BSP for one manager and group as well as support the administrative needs specific to international projects for teams in the SEADS Directorate. Example international projects that the BSP would support include:

Net Zero World: NREL is part of a unique team that includes nine U.S. government agencies and 10 DOE national laboratories, in partnership with other governments, philanthropies, and international institutions to support partner countries in meeting their clean energy targets and achieving just transitions to net-zero emission energy systems. Assistance is provided through tailored energy modeling and analysis to inform country-driven net-zero pathways and technical and investment plans.

The Global Climate Action Partnership: The Global Climate Action Partnership is a worldwide network that accelerates ambitious climate goals and advances implementation in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This member-driven network harnesses the collective knowledge of 120 countries and more than 450 institutions to drive collaboration and peer learning focused on country-driven implementation actions to achieve resilient, just, and inclusive low-emission and net-zero economies.

The USAID – NREL Partnership: NREL partners with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to offer tailored technical assistance for deploying advanced energy systems and addressing country-specific energy challenges.

ASEAN Climate Solutions Hub: NREL provides technical assistance to members of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) focused on renewable energy deployment, transportation decarbonization, methane reduction, and sustainable agriculture, forestry, and land management.

Job Description:

The International Programs Business Support Professional (BSP) will report to the Group Manager of the Integrated Decision Support, the International Program Manager, and the Net Zero World (NZW) Operations Manager. The tasks for this role include but are not limited to:

Integrated Decision Support Group Manager and Group Support:

• Organize and manage virtual and in-person webinars, meetings, and other means of effective collaboration in support of group and project objectives (including room set-up, webinars, catering, audio visual set up and preparation of agendas, slide decks, and other meeting materials)
• Assist staff and managers with adherence to NREL processes and procedures
• Routinely interface with NREL managers and technical staff
• Assist in administrative aspects of group annual performance reviews. Conduct tasks that require a high degree of confidentiality
• Setup and maintain Group Manager schedules, project files, technical files, and personnel files. Maintain control and strict confidentiality of personnel files
• Track and manage property including group laptop computers and limited group office and laboratory equipment
• Manage a purchasing credit card (P-Card), including purchases and reconciliations. Assist staff with equipment purchasing
• Coordinate interview schedules for all Group Manager’s interview candidates, including interfacing with Human Resources on scheduling and agendas
• Manage onboarding of all Group employees, contingent workers, and student interns
• Collaborate with other administrative professionals in the Center, Directorate and throughout the Lab to develop and maintain administrative systems as needed
• Conduct general administrative duties such as answering phones, coordinating catering/beverages when appropriate for in-person meetings, taking meeting notes, coordinating schedules, and reserving meeting spaces
• Other appropriate duties as assigned

Travel Planning Support:

The International Programs’ activities involve a significant amount of international travel by NREL staff. The role will support the international programs’ by coordinating foreign and domestic travel including

• Providing support in obtaining the necessary Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Embassy approvals, securing visas and obtaining passport renewal when needed, conducting required international travel security training and following safe and secure procedures in other countries, and convening and coordinating events in other countries. 
• Submitting travel requests, tracking approvals, reserving airfare, lodging and rental cars, processing expense reports, detailed travel itinerary preparation

Hosting Planning Support:

The International Programs BSP will support the international project leads through the planning processes to host international visitors at NREL. This process includes but is not limited to

• Facilitating internal pre-visit communication, record-keeping, and approval processes
• Liaising with persons of contact of visiting delegations to ensure clarity and receipt of all agenda, guidance, and instructions on NREL arrivals and check-in
• Coordinating with relevant teams around scheduling, planning and organizing for NREL site tours, meetings, catering, shuttling, and other logistical tasks.

Hosting and Pre-and Post-Event Coordination Support: 

This role will involve working closely with the international projects team leads and the NREL Protocol Team to refine and finalize the on-site activities of visitors being hosted at NREL. This will include but is not limited to

• Coordinating pre-event logistics, performing follow-up tasks after events, such as sending thank-you emails or collecting feedback.
• Escorting visitors throughout the day (e.g. from lobby to meeting rooms, and on tours)

Other Business Support and Administrative Needs:

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assisting leads with DOE coordination on international projects (scheduling briefings, assisting with compiling presentations, tracking and assisting with responding to DOE requests)

• In collaboration with the project controller, facilitate procurement and acquisition services to support project needs
• Interfacing with outside entities and individuals including subcontractors, vendors, speakers, and others as needed.
• Supporting NREL international technical partnerships (e.g., coordination of joint activities, assisting project leads with preparing and updating cooperation plans, scheduling remote and in person meetings)
• Other duties as assigned

Please note: this position will require regular in-person support of ADDS International Program Activities at NREL's South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO and is not eligible for 100% remote work arrangements.

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Basic QualificationsHigh School Diploma or equivalent and 1 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Associate's Degree or certification program of comparable scope or equivalent relevant education/experience. Solid knowledge of the job. Substantial understanding of general aspects of the job with a broad understanding of the detailed aspects of the job. Intermediate skills in applicable software packages and office equipment. Basic project administration skills. Ability to prioritize work. Proficient in written and verbal communications. Very good team and interpersonal skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with project management tools and virtual meeting tools
• Experienced skills in applicable software packages (primarily Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and office equipment. Demonstrated project administration skills)
• Attention to detail, especially in document preparation and event coordination.
• Strong time management skills to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, and shifting priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in cross-cultural environments, and working with international travel processes
• Considerable knowledge of specialized focused international project business support functions.
• Complete understanding of the general and detailed aspects of the business support activities, and their practical applications to problems and situations ordinarily encountered.
• Full knowledge of specific principles, procedures and practices related to supported fields and disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, team and interpersonal skills.

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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: Business Support II / Annual Salary Range: $42,700 - $68,300

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 SummaryBenefits 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

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

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.

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