Position Summary
Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Flexible Grid Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor to join our Clean Energy Team. Working under the direction of a Clean Energy Deputy Director, the Flexible Grid Policy Advisor or Senior Advisor will provide technical and policy expertise to address emerging issues in distribution grid management, distributed energy resource utilization and the beneficial electrification of buildings and transportation. The Flexible Grid Policy Advisor or Senior Advisor will develop research and analyses, testimony, and outreach materials; guide WRA’s participation in various rulemaking and litigated proceedings before state public utilities commissions; and assist in WRA’s legislative advocacy and relationship building efforts. This position will work with partners to create and leverage opportunities to advance WRA’s clean energy objectives and diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.
About Western Resource Advocates
WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.
Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decisionmakers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.
Location
This position has the option to work remotely in the Phoenix, AZ, Carson City, NV, Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM, Salt Lake City, UT, or Denver-Boulder, CO, metro areas, from one of WRA’s offices in those metro areas, or a hybrid of remote and on-site.
Responsibilities And Activities
Policy Advisor
- Develop and advocate for policies and mechanisms that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production in the Interior West by enabling load management and integration of renewable generation; utilization of distributed energy resources including solar, storage and demand response; and increasing the ability to electrify buildings and transportation.
- Develop new analyses to create the flexible electricity grid that will serve as the physical foundation of our clean energy future, with a particular focus on distribution system planning, dynamic load management and enabling electrification.
- Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums to proactively identify opportunities to advance WRA’s objectives.
- Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony.
- Monitor and track relevant state and federal policy developments.
- Assist in negotiating and drafting complex settlement agreements.
- Assist with guidance of outside technical and legal consultants.
- Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, and other electric industry stakeholders to advance clean energy and the flexible grid of the future.
- Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
- Collaborate with WRA program and Communications staff to produce and disseminate materials that effectively communicate our mission, goals and the results of our work to external audiences.
- Assist with grant proposals and reports.
- Occasional travel to meetings and events, generally within the Interior West.
Senior Policy Advisor
A Senior Policy Analyst will have the following responsibilities and can perform these responsibilities with minimal supervision:
- Lead WRA’s advocacy for policies and mechanisms that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production in the Interior West by enabling load management and integration of renewable generation; utilization of distributed energy resources including solar, storage and demand response; and increasing the ability to electrify buildings and transportation.
- Identify and lead the development of new analyses to create the flexible electricity grid that will serve as the physical foundation of our clean energy future, with a particular focus on distribution system planning, dynamic load management and enabling electrification.
- Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums to proactively identify opportunities to advance WRA’s objectives.
- Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony.
- Monitor and track relevant state and federal policy developments.
- Lead in negotiating and drafting complex settlement agreements.
- Oversee outside technical and legal consultants.
- Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, and other electric industry stakeholders to advance clean energy and the flexible grid of the future.
- Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
- Collaborate with WRA program and Communications staff to produce and disseminate materials that effectively communicate our mission, goals and the results of our work to external audiences.
- Assist with grant proposals and reports.
- Occasional travel to meetings and events, generally within the Interior West.
Required Qualifications
- Proficiency in energy system issues and grid-edge technologies.
- Background in engineering, physics, economics, environmental studies or public policy.
- Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.
- Intellectual curiosity and open mind about how the energy grid can best facilitate deep decarbonization of the electricity production and electrification of buildings and transportation.
- Ability to write and communicate clearly, and explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through.
- Dedication to advocate for equitable and clean energy solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Bachelor’s degree, or comparable experience, in economics, engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant field.
- A Policy Advisor will typically have at least 2 years of relevant experience in the workforce.
Senior Policy Advisor Qualifications
- Graduate degree or comparable experience in engineering, physics, environmental studies, public policy, or other relevant field.
- A Senior Policy Advisor will typically have at least 5-8 years of experience in the workforce.
In addition to the above qualifications, a Senior Policy Advisor candidate should demonstrate at least two of the following:
- Existing relationships with key stakeholders and decisionmakers in at least one of the five key states: AZ, CO, NM, NV, or UT.
- Knowledge of the politics and policy landscape in one of the five key states.
- Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions, or presenting before official bodies or in a public forum.
- Skill with independently managing multiple projects with varying timelines.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.
Salary And Benefits
The salary range is $55,000-$89,500 annually for a Policy Advisor, and $86,500-$121,000 annually for a Senior Policy Advisor; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive three weeks paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, one paid birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. After one-year employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave with the first six weeks paid, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.
Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled, with Priority Review beginning on Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.
Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.
Apply To Be WRA’s Flexible Grid Policy Advisor Or Senior Policy Advisor!
Thank you for your interest in the Flexible Grid Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor position with Western Resource Advocates. Complete the two forms below to apply for the position. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:
- Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position;
- Resume; and
- Writing Sample (up to five pages).
Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.
