Job Description

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ELECTRICITY POLICY

SENIOR FELLOW

Position Description

 POSITION OVERVIEW

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has an opening for a new position of National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) Senior Fellow in the NARUC Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI). NARUC CPI identifies emerging challenges and connects state commissions with expertise and strategies to navigate complex decision-making. CPI achieves this vision by building relationships, developing resources, and delivering training that provides answers to state commissions’ questions. NCEP is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by NARUC CPI. NCEP is a platform for all state-level electricity decision-makers to share and learn from diverse perspectives on the evolving electricity sector. NCEP members include representatives from public utility commissions, air and environmental regulatory agencies, governors’ staffs, state energy offices, legislatures, and consumer advocates. NCEP serves as a forum for collaboration around grid-related topics at the state, regional, and national levels, offering a unique opportunity for state electricity decision-makers throughout the country to examine the ways new technologies, policies, regulations, and markets impact state resources and the bulk power system.

The NCEP Senior Fellow will be responsible for strategic direction, thought leadership, connections to experts, research reports, and activity planning and implementation to benefit NCEP members. The person in this position will also work closely with NARUC CPI leadership and staff to develop electricity-related resources for NARUC members. The position reports to the NARUC CPI Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

The NCEP Senior Fellow will work closely with NARUC CPI managers and staff, the NCEP Executive Committee, and NCEP funders (currently U.S. Department of Energy) to develop and implement a strategic vision and set of technical assistance and educational activities for NCEP members, in accordance with the terms and conditions of NARUC’s cooperative agreements (grants) and NARUC policies.

Requires significant experience and previous leadership roles in providing strategic and programmatic guidance, and coordinating, presenting, and facilitating in-person and virtual events and meetings. The position requires prior state government electricity or energy experience (i.e., formerly eligible to be an NCEP member), deep knowledge of electricity system issues, and demonstrated collaboration skills.

Strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail. Prior experience managing funder relationships (ideally with the U.S. Department of Energy) and engaging senior executives; strong communication, research, facilitation, and writing skills. Previous program management and oversight of workflow processes.

Develop and Implement Program Strategy

• Collaboratively develops strategic goals, visions, and work plans for NCEP efforts in coordination with CPI leadership, NCEP leadership, and funders.
• Provides oversight of NCEP efforts to support collaboration among utility commissions, state energy offices, and other NCEP member organizations and individuals.
• Conducts and/or oversees research and co-authors project deliverables (e.g., white papers, reports, guidance documents); designs events and trainings; facilitates or delivers training in person or virtually.
• Serves as an expert technical resource on electricity regulatory issues to NARUC staff, funders, NCEP members, NARUC members, and stakeholders.
• Works closely with CPI Director and CPI Senior Manager to ensure harmonized approach to project design, implementation, and communication for all NCEP projects.
• In close collaboration with CPI staff and NCEP leadership, articulates objectives for NCEP events and activities, develops frameworks and agendas for events, recommends expert speakers, and supports facilitation planning and implementation.
• Ensures high-quality activity implementation through strategic planning and coordination / review of programmatic and project-related materials. Identifies opportunities and approaches to enhance project design, advance strategic goals, and improve performance across CPI.
• Utilizes and/or develops program management tools (e.g., project charters, work breakdown structures, RACI frameworks) to improve planning and workflow.
• Supports the wider NARUC CPI program team with electricity-related program management, resource development, leadership, best practices, and lessons learned in planning and implementation.
• Supervises one or more staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• An advanced degree in public administration, public policy, economics, engineering, or a related field and more than 15 years of professional experience is required.
• Experience working in/for a state public utility commission, state energy office, state legislature, state environmental agency, consumer advocate, or governor is required.
• Subject matter expertise in electricity system issues including state and/or federal utility regulation, state and/or federal jurisdiction, electricity system planning, distributed energy resources, bulk power system issues, and related matters is required.
• Understanding and experience with electricity system and regulatory models in both vertically integrated and restructured states is necessary. Past work with regional or other multi-state energy-related coordination efforts or organizations is needed.
• Knowledge of federal cooperative agreement and grant regulations and procedures — particularly related to the U.S. Department of Energy — is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the nonprofit or association environment is desirable.
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving abilities are essential. Must be able to multi-task based on fluctuating priorities and requirements.
• Leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and manage collaborative relationships both internally and externally, are a must.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy for working with all levels of staff, external entities, funders, and NARUC leadership.
• Excellent proficiency in research, verbal presentation, and writing skills.
• Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and issues.
• US citizenship or existing work authorization is required.
• Location flexible; must be available to travel as needed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position is grant-funded and continued employment is based on funding and satisfactory work performance.

This is an exempt position. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The position is eligible for NARUC benefits.

This posting is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time, based on NARUC’s needs.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Interested individuals must submit cover letter with compensation requirements and a resume to: CPIjobs@naruc.org.

Job Categories: Energy Efficiency. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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