Data and Applications Assistant - Intermediate - Clean Transportation Program Associate

RI Office of Energy Resources
Clean Transportation Program Associate Contractor
Position Overview
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) is seeking a Clean Transportation Program
Associate to support the agency's Clean Transportation & Climate Programs Team.
The Program Associate will primarily support the day-to-day administration and implementation
of OER's clean transportation rebate and incentive programs, including the DRIVE EV electric
vehicle rebate program and PowerUpRI residential EV charging program. The position will have
significant interaction with program applicants and members of the public and will also support
stakeholder engagement, outreach, policy research, and other initiatives across OER's Clean
Transportation & Climate portfolio.
The successful candidate must have exceptional customer service and communication skills, strong
attention to detail, and a high level of accuracy. This position requires frequent communication
with members of the public, coordination with OER staff and the agency's financial team, accurate
application and payment processing, and the ability to professionally represent OER during
meetings, presentations, webinars, and other public-facing activities.
Primary Responsibilities
Support the day-to-day administration of OER's clean transportation rebate and incentive
programs, with primary responsibility for DRIVE EV and PowerUpRI.
Review and process program applications and supporting documentation to determine
completeness and compliance with program eligibility requirements.
Provide exceptional customer service to program applicants and members of the public
through email, telephone, and other communication channels. Clearly explain program
requirements, application processes, eligibility determinations, and documentation needs,
and assist applicants in resolving questions or application issues.
Perform accurate and timely application processing and data entry, including maintaining
applicant records, application statuses, supporting documentation, and program tracking
spreadsheets.
Calculate and verify rebate amounts and conduct quality-control reviews to ensure
applicant information, eligibility determinations, and payment amounts are accurate before
applications are submitted for payment.
Prepare rebate payment batches and work closely with OER's financial team to support
accurate and timely payment processing, respond to questions, resolve discrepancies, and
maintain appropriate supporting documentation.
Maintain accurate Excel tracking sheets and program records used for application
management, funding tracking, payment reconciliation, program statistics, and reporting.
Monitor application activity, available program funding, payment activity, and other
program information and provide updates to program management as needed.
Assist with presentations, webinars, outreach events, stakeholder meetings, and other
public-facing activities related primarily to OER's clean transportation programs. The
Program Associate must be comfortable speaking publicly, presenting program
information, responding to questions, and representing OER professionally before a variety
of audiences.
Attend relevant clean transportation meetings, working groups, stakeholder discussions,
and interagency meetings. As requested, the Program Associate may also support the
Climate Lead by attending meetings or assisting with climate-related projects and
programs. Prepare high-level meeting notes identifying important discussions, decisions,
action items, and issues relevant to OER, and provide updates or debriefs to the team as
appropriate.
Assist with the development and maintenance of program guidance, frequently asked
questions, presentations, briefing materials, reports, webpages, talking points, and other
internal and public-facing resources.
Support other clean transportation activities, research, outreach, and priorities, as well as
occasional climate-related assignments, based on the needs of the Clean Transportation &
Climate Programs Team.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Exceptional customer service skills, including the ability to communicate patiently,
respectfully, and professionally with members of the public and provide a high level of
service even when addressing complex questions or concerns.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to confidently present
information and respond to questions from a variety of audiences.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, particularly when reviewing
applications, entering information, determining eligibility, calculating rebate amounts, and
preparing information used to process payments.
Strong data-entry and record-management skills, with the ability to accurately maintain a
high volume of applications and program records.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple
applications, assignments, payment cycles, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with OER staff, members of
the public, State agencies, external stakeholders, businesses, and other partners.
Strong research and writing skills, including the ability to review policy and program
information and clearly summarize key findings for staff.
Ability to take clear, high-level meeting notes and identify important takeaways, decisions,
and action items.
Ability to learn new program areas and provide flexible support across the Clean
Transportation & Climate Programs Team as priorities and workload require.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and recognize when
an issue should be elevated to management.
Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and discretion when handling applicant,
program, and financial information.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and other standard office
applications.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills for program administration, including entering and
maintaining records, using formulas, sorting and filtering information, reviewing
calculations, reconciling records, and maintaining accurate program tracking spreadsheets.
Interest in or experience with clean transportation, electric vehicles, electric vehicle
charging, energy, sustainability, environmental policy, public administration, customer
service, or government programs preferred.