This job listing has expired and may no longer be relevant!
23 Mar 2023

Full-Time Clean Energy Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor – Colorado

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) – Posted by [email protected] Denver, Colorado, United States

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) logo

Job Description

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor to join our Clean Energy Team in Colorado. The Clean Energy Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor will be responsible for developing and advancing equitable regulatory, legislative, and local policy solutions that move the region toward a clean energy economy and address climate change in Colorado. This position involves analyzing technical documents to write and present testimony in state commission planning and rulemaking proceedings, and working closely with other members of WRA’s Clean Energy, Communications and Government Affairs staff to shape state energy policy and increase the state’s participation in global climate change solutions. With a focus on Colorado, this position offers opportunities to work across the region with a variety of conservation professionals. Candidates should be highly motivated, creative, and strategic thinkers who possess analytical chops, strong writing skills, and sound judgment.

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

The position can work remotely from the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area, or can be based in either WRA’s Denver or Boulder office; or a hybrid remote and in‐office setting.

Responsibilities And Activities

POLICY ADVISOR

  • Assist in developing and advocating for equitable policies in regulatory, legislative, 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.
  • Prepare expert witness testimony, comments and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including planning, permitting, rulemaking and rate cases and other formal or informal processes.
  • Assist in negotiating and drafting complex settlement agreements and developing WRA positions for those agreements.
  • Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
  • Along with WRA’s other state staff, work with the region’s electric and natural gas utilities, the business community, consumer advocates, the environmental community, and other stakeholders to advance clean energy and climate solutions.
  • Coordinate 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.
  • Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
  • In coordination with other program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation, local ordinances or programs, and administrative or regulatory policies.
  • Occasionally 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 efforts to develop and advocate for equitable policies, mechanisms, and organizational positions 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.
  • Lead efforts to develop and implement effective WRA advocacy strategies in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including local governments.
  • Lead negotiations and drafting of complex settlement agreements and developing WRA positions for those agreements.
    Independently prepare expert witness testimony, comments, and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including rate cases and other formal or informal processes.
  • Synthesize relevant local, state, and federal policy developments into WRA’s advocacy strategies.
  • Develop strategies to guide the region’s electric and natural gas utilities, the business community, consumer advocates, the environmental community, and other stakeholders to advance clean energy and climate solutions.
  • Coordinate with WRA’s policy, government affairs, and communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively conveys WRA’s positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
  • Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to lead policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
  • In coordination with other program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation, local ordinances or programs, and administrative or regulatory policies.
  • Occasionally travel to meetings and events, generally within their state.
  • Assist other teams within WRA’s Clean Energy Program on an as-needed basis.

Required Qualifications

  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
  • 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 willingness to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
  • 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 economics, engineering, environmental 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 Colorado.
  • Knowledge of the politics and policy landscape in Colorado.
  • 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 Monday, April 10, 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 Clean Energy Policy Advisor Or Senior Policy Advisor in Colorado!

How to Apply

Click the following link to apply on our website: Clean Energy Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor - Colorado - Western Resource Advocates

Job Categories: Clean Energy. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.

Apply for this Job

Subscribe to Green Jobs List, our free jobs newsletter!

X