Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor to join our Clean Energy team. The Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor will work to advance policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings across the Interior West, with a focus on policies to support beneficial electrification and reduce utility spending on gas distribution infrastructure. The Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor will develop research, analyses, testimony, and outreach materials; advocate for building decarbonization policies before state regulatory agencies and legislatures; build relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders; and advance WRA’s clean energy objectives and diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives. The Senior Policy Advisor will have significant experience and expertise and will take on the same work with greater responsibilities and independence; for details, please see the full job description. 

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 decision makers 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 may work remotely in one of the states in which WRA’s Clean Energy Program is active (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah); from one of WRA’s six offices; or a hybrid of the two. WRA has offices located in Boulder, CO; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM. 

Responsibilities:

POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Develop and advocate for equitable policies and measures that will reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings with guidance and direction from senior team members.
• Develop and advocate for equitable policies and measures to reduce gas utilities’ investment in distribution system infrastructure with guidance and direction from senior team members.
• Research and advocate for demand response, efficiency, and flexible electric grid technologies and policies that support beneficial electrification of buildings.
• Evaluate and assess utility proposals to reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings, including proposals for corresponding investments in the electricity distribution grid.
• Monitor and track relevant local, state and federal policy developments, including policies that could serve as a model for building decarbonization and gas infrastructure planning in the Mountain West.
• Assist in guiding outside technical and legal consultants.

ADVOCACY

• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums to proactively identify opportunities to advance WRA’s objectives.
• Evaluate utility plans and applications, state and local regulatory proposals, and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRA’s decarbonization goals.
• Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony before regulatory and legislative bodies with guidance and direction from senior team members.
• Assist in developing WRA positions for complex settlement agreements negotiating and drafting those agreements with guidance and direction from senior team members.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, state government agencies, and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
• Participate in and facilitate effective coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.

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:

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience or familiarity with demand-side management, building electrification, building decarbonization, or gas infrastructure planning.
• Background in economics, business, public policy, environmental policy, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of technical, economic, and policy issues related to efficient building envelope and appliance technologies.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly, and explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• 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, or comparable experience, in economics, engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant field.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before administrative and regulatory agencies.

• Familiarity with utility incentive programs for demand-side management and beneficial electrification preferred.

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.  

• At least 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in the workforce.
• Prior academic and/or professional experience related to demand-side management, buildings electrification, buildings decarbonization, or gas infrastructure planning.
• Extensive knowledge of technical, economic, and policy issues related to efficient building envelope and appliance technologies.
• Strong familiarity with utility incentive programs for demand-side management and beneficial electrification.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to generate compelling written reports and testimony under tight deadlines and expert ability to explain complicated concepts and speak persuasively to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills, including demonstrated mastery of Microsoft Excel.
• Build and maintain 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 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.

The Senior Policy Advisor should demonstrate at least four of the following additional qualifications, please request a Senior Policy Advisor Job Announcement for an overview of the job requirements not listed here:

• Prior experience managing or evaluating demand-side management or beneficial electrification programs.
• Knowledge and experience related to electric or gas planning or energy modeling.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers in at least one of the following states: AZ, CO, NM, NV, or UT.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utilities commissions or other regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated skill with independently managing multiple projects with varying timelines.
• Graduate degree or comparable experience in economics, engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant field.

Working Environment and 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.

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.  Given the regional nature of this position, travel may be up to 20% depending on the location of work and caseload. 

Salary And Benefits

The salary range for a Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor is $55,000-$89,500 annually and the salary range for a Senior Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor is $86,500-$121,000; 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.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, December 2, 2024.

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.

Apply To Be WRA’s Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor!

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: Kimberly Bell, Human Resources Manager
• Writing Sample
• Resume

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.