to advance policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings across the Mountain West and Desert Southwest. The Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor or Senior Advisor will research and advocate for policies to increase investments in beneficial electrification and reduce utility spending on gas distribution infrastructure.
The Buildings Decarbonization Policy Advisor or Senior Advisor will develop research, analyses, testimony, and outreach materials; advocate for buildings decarbonization policies before state regulatory agencies and legislatures; and build relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders. The Building Decarbonization Policy Advisor
or Senior Advisor will collaborate 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 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 And Activities Policy Advisor POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Assist with developing and advocating for policies and measures that will reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings.
Support the development of and advocacy for policies and measures to reduce gas utilities’ investment in distribution system infrastructure. Research and advocate for demand response, efficiency, and flexible electric grid technologies and policies that support beneficial electrification of buildings. Assist with evaluating and backssing 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 Analyze and present findings on 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.
Assist in negotiating and drafting settlement agreements. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH Liaise and work productively 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 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 Marketing and Communications staff to produce and disseminate materials that effectively communicate our mission, goals, and the results of our work to external audiences. In coordination with other team members, collaborate with WRA Government Affairs staff to analyze and/or advocate for proposed legislation consistent with achieving WRA’s buildings decarbonization goals. Occasional travel to meetings and events, generally within the Interior West (consistent with current COVID-19 protocols). Senior Policy Advisor A Senior Policy Advisor will have the following responsibilities and can perform these responsibilities with minimal supervision: POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Develop and advocate for policies and measures that will reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels in buildings with limited direction or supervision.
Develop and advocate for policies and measures to reduce gas utilities’ investment in distribution system infrastructure with limited direction or supervision. Research and advocate for demand response, efficiency, and flexible electric grid technologies and policies that support beneficial electrification of buildings.
Evaluate and backss 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 buildings decarbonization and gas infrastructure planning in the Mountain West. Oversee outside technical and legal consultants. ADVOCACY Proactively identify opportunities to advance WRA’s objectives based on upcoming state regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums.
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. Negotiate and draft settlement agreements. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH Initiate relationships and work productively 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.
Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results. INTERNAL COORDINATION/OTHER Assist with grant proposals and reports. Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to identify and execute a common set of strategic priorities. Identify needed communications or outreach materials, and collaborate with WRA Marketing and Communications staff to produce and disseminate materials that effectively communicate our mission, goals, and the results of our work to external audiences.
Collaborate with WRA Government Affairs staff to evaluate, develop, and/or advocate for proposed legislation consistent with achieving WRA’s buildings decarbonization goals. Occasional travel to meetings and events, generally within the Interior West. Required Qualifications Prior academic and/or professional experience related to demand-side management, building electrification, building decarbonization, or gas infrastructure planning. Knowledge of technical, economic, and policy issues related to efficient building envelope and appliance technologies. Strong written and oral communication skills, including an ability to generate compelling written reports and testimony under tight deadlines and ability to explain complicated concepts and speak persuasively to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
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. 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. A Policy Advisor will have at least two to five years of relevant experience in the workforce; A Senior Policy Advisor will have at least five years of relevant experience in the workforce. Senior Policy Advisor Qualifications In addition to the above qualifications, a Senior Policy Advisor candidate should demonstrate at least four of the following: 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. 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 Tuesday, January 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. Learn more about our commitment here: wraoldsite. /#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, interaction, gender identity, interactionual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.
