Senior Energy Policy Advisor (m/w/d)

Job Description

The Policy Advisor, Clean Energy will develop and advocate for policies and programs that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in New Mexico. The Policy Advisor will work with guidance from the Deputy Director of State Advocacy.

The Senior Policy Advisor, Clean Energy will independently develop and advocate for policies and programs that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in New Mexico.

Location

The preferred location for this position is in New Mexico. The position may work remotely in New Mexico or in WRA's Santa Fe, New Mexico office, or a hybrid of the two. The alternate locations for this position may include working remotely in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, or Utah, or in those respective state offices, or a hybrid of the two.

Responsibilities

Policy Research and Development

• Develop and advocate for equitable policies in regulatory, legislative, administrative and other policy forums that reduce the environmental impact of electricity and natural gas use, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in the Interior West with guidance and support from a senior team member.
• Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
• Research and analyze current and emerging clean energy policy in New Mexico including legislation, administrative rules, and utility proceedings at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning, energy efficiency, distributed resources, load management, beneficial electrification, and rate design.
• Assist in supervision of outside consultants.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• With guidance from a senior team member, evaluate utility plans and applications, state and local regulatory proposals, and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRA's decarbonization goals.

Advocacy

• Develop strategies and prepare expert witness testimony, comments and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including planning, permitting, rulemaking, rate cases, and other formal or informal processes with guidance from a senior team member.
• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums and identify opportunities to advance WRA's objectives.
• Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony before regulatory and legislative bodies, with guidance from a senior team member.
• Assist in negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements.
• Work with WRA's Government Affairs team to provide policy support for advocacy campaigns.

Relationship Building and Outreach

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, state government agencies, legislators, and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effectively engage in and help lead coalitions of diverse partners, building alignment around shared goals and strategies that advance WRA's mission and policy priorities.

Internal Coordination/Other

• Assist with grant proposals and reports.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRA's policy, Government Affairs, and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA's positions to stakeholders and decision makers.

Qualifications & Competencies

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience or familiarity with public utility regulation, the energy industry, clean energy technologies, decarbonization strategies, climate policy, or related work.
• Background in economics, public policy, engineering, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of or desire to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly, and effectively explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• 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.
• Commitment to WRA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant field.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions.
• Experience working and building relationships with state legislators.
• Experience working on New Mexico state policy.

Senior Policy Advisor Responsibilities

Policy Research and Development

• Independently develop and advocate for equitable policies in New Mexico regulatory, legislative, administrative and other policy forums that reduce the environmental impact of electric and gas public utilities, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in the Interior West.
• Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
• Research and analyze current and emerging clean energy policy in New Mexico including legislation, administrative rules, and utility proceedings at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning, energy efficiency, distributed resources, load management, beneficial electrification, and rate design.
• Lead supervision of outside consultants.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• Independently evaluate utility plans and applications, state and local regulatory proposals, and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRA's decarbonization goals.
• Work with WRA's Government Affairs team to provide policy support for advocacy campaigns.

Advocacy

• Develop strategies and independently write expert witness testimony, comments, and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including system and resource planning, permitting, rulemaking, rate cases, and other formal or informal processes.
• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums and identify opportunities to advance WRA's objectives.
• Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony or comments before regulatory and legislative bodies.
• Lead negotiations and drafting of settlement agreements including developing WRA positions for those agreements.

Relationship Building and Outreach

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, state government agencies, legislators and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effectively engage in and help lead coalitions of diverse partners, building alignment around shared goals and strategies that advance WRA's mission and policy priorities.

Internal Coordination/Other

• Assist with grant proposals and reports.
• Draft internal papers and summaries on topics of current interest.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute and drive a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRA's policy, Government Affairs, and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA's success to date and future goals.

Senior Policy Advisor Qualifications & Competencies

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience and familiarity with public utility regulation, the energy industry, clean energy technologies, decarbonization strategies, climate policy, or related work.
• Background in economics, public policy, engineering, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of or desire to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• Exceptional ability to write and communicate clearly, and effectively explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Superior quantitative and analytical skills.
• 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.
• Commitment to WRA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in economics, engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant field.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions.
• Experience working and building relationships with state legislators.
• Experience working on New Mexico state policy.

Working Environment And Physical Requirements

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations:

• A typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.

Travel Requirements

Travel to meetings, conferences, proceedings, and other work-related events is required within the relevant state. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings within WRA's region. This is approximately 10-15% of the time but may be higher depending on the location of work.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range for a Policy Advisor is $78,761 - $99,609 annually and the salary range for a Senior Policy Advisor is $97,750 - $123,625 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 seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

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. 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. Learn more about our commitment here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Western Resource Advocates

Thank you for your interest in the Policy Advisor position with Western Resource Advocates. 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. Addressed to: The Clean Energy Interview Panel
• Writing Sample
• Resume

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to [email protected].