Specialist I

The Center for Sustainable is seeking a Specialist I in Maryland to provide technical support for electric vehicle (EV) and EV infrastructure programs. Responsibilities include program design, stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, data tracking, and reporting. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of EV industry challenges and experience in stakeholder education. Essential skills include understanding EV charging technology and deployment processes, as well as familiarity with industry standards.
Responsible for technical support of electric vehicle (EV) and EV infrastructure (EVI) programs. Under general supervision from the Senior Manager or Specialist II, the Specialist I will assume responsibilities that include incentive-based and community assessment program design and implementation, stakeholder engagement, and technical assistance for property owners, vendors, government representatives and internal incentive processing specialists. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by EV and EVI stakeholders and experience providing stakeholder education and outreach. The candidate will actively participate in the creation of appropriate reports, tools, and resources for assigned programs. The Specialist I will also support equipment and vendor eligibility review, contribute to program data tracking and reporting, and provide technical insights to improve program design and implementation.

Role Responsibilities:

Subject Matter Expertise
• Support CSE’s program design activities regarding complex eligibility rules, policies, or other considerations for incentive-based programs.
• Support CSE’s program implementation activities by assisting operations teams with escalations related to complex applications, eligibility determinations, or technical requirements.
• Support program applicants with technical guidance regarding complex project applications, including through key stages of project deployment: site assessment, permitting, utility coordination, installation, and commissioning; and the reporting thereof.
• Provide recommendations to fleets and communities through electrification assessments.
• Support coordination with electric utilities related to service design, interconnection, and capacity considerations for EV infrastructure.
• Support the development of operational definitions, tools, and resources for program partners, stakeholders, and applicants.
• Support program data tracking, validation, and quality assurance to ensure accurate reporting of project progress and outcomes.

Industry Engagement
• Review and respond to technical questions from EV and EVI program stakeholders.
• Manage the development and deployment of outreach activities with clients, community-based organizations (CBOs), local community representatives, technology vendors, fleet owners, air districts, state and federal agencies, project funding partners, and other stakeholders.
• Manage review of EV charging equipment and vendor eligibility against program requirements.
• Manage assigned technical inquiries and stakeholder engagements with limited supervision.
• Provide input to improve program policies, tools, and guidance based on stakeholder feedback.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required
• Demonstrated EV industry experience and knowledge of key industry players and business models.
• Understanding of EV charging technology definitions, key specifications, installation considerations, and common deployment barriers.
• Understanding of EV charging deployment lifecycle, including permitting, utility coordination, and installation processes.
• Familiarity with EV charging standards, protocols, and equipment certifications (e.g., UL, OCPP, etc.).
• Familiarity with EV charging ecosystem stakeholders including utilities, site hosts, and charging network providers.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation such as equipment specifications and program requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and planning skills. Ability to handle multiple tasks, changing priorities, and work effectively under deadlines.
• Must be extremely detail-oriented with exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in customer service principles.
• Ability to learn complex procedures and policies quickly.
• Ability to take initiative, be proactive, and work with minimal supervision.
• Basic knowledge of best practices with data entry and documentation.
• Demonstrable proficiency with standard office software packages (MS Office, Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Advanced uses of word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other standard software to create well-formatted documents and materials requiring interpretation and critical thought.
• Exercise key judgment within defined parameters and demonstrate the ability to take appropriate actions when deviations are required.
• Proficient in typing, excellent spelling, punctuation, grammar, and oral communication.

Preferred
• Demonstrated basic knowledge of land use principles and local government permitting processes.
• Demonstrated basic knowledge of electric utility service design processes.
• Experience using Salesforce.
• Experience supporting infrastructure incentive programs or working with utilities, public agencies, or private sector partners.
• Experience with data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, etc.).
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal clean transportation policies, programs, and landscape.
• Familiarity with charging network operations and data reporting concepts (e.g., uptime, utilization, session data).

Education and/or experience:
• Bachelor’s degree demonstrating qualifications for engineering, business, environmental/energy policy, transportation/environmental planning or science; or equivalent work experience.
• AND 3-5 years of relevant experience in an EV, EV charging, or energy infrastructure field.

OR
• Master’s degree demonstrating qualifications for engineering, business, environmental/energy policy, transportation/environmental planning or science; or equivalent work experience.
• AND 1-3 years of relevant experience in an EV, EV charging, or energy infrastructure field.

Licenses, Certificates or Registrations:
• Valid driver’s license and insurable per state requirements. Must own a licensed and registered vehicle and be willing to use it for work-related purposes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:
• Works in a remote or office environment
• Limited site visits to office or project locations