Description
Salary Range: $78,761.00 To $123,625.00 Annually
Salary Range
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.
Position Summary
The Clean Energy Policy Advisor 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 Nevada. The Policy Advisor will work with guidance from the Nevada Clean Energy Manager.
The Clean Energy Senior Policy Advisor 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 Nevada.
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
The preferred location for this position is in Nevada. The position may work remotely in Nevada or in WRA’s Reno, Nevada office, or a hybrid of the two. The alternate locations for this position may include working remotely in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah, or in those respective state offices, or a hybrid of the two.
Requirements
Responsibilities
POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Develop and advocate 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 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 Nevada including legislation, administrative rules, and utility proceedings at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, 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.
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.
Effectively engage 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’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 followthrough.
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 on Nevada state policy.
Senior Policy Responsibilities
POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Independently develop and advocate for equitable policies in Nevada regulatory, legislative, 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 Nevada including legislation, administrative rules, and utility proceedings at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning, energy efficiency, distributed resources, load management, beneficial electrification, and rate designs.
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.
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, with guidance from a senior team member.
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, and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Effectively engage in coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
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 followthrough.
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 on Nevada 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 depending on the location of work.
