Regional & State Policy Director

NW Energy Coalition is hiring a Regional & State Policy Director

The NW Energy Coalition is seeking a strategic and farsighted individual to join our Coalition team and lead our work on critical Northwest regional policy and planning issues as well as coordinating our work with state policymakers and agencies. Location preference for Seattle area or Portland area, and can discuss options for other locations in the Northwest.

About NW Energy Coalition

Established in 1981, the Coalition is an alliance of over 100 environmental, civic, and human service organizations, utilities, local government agencies, and clean energy and energy efficiency businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.

Our mission is to advance clean, equitable, and affordable energy policies by leveraging our analytic expertise and convening a broad alliance of people and organizations. We envision the Northwest comprised of communities that benefit from a carbon-free energy system that equitably meets the needs of people and preserves the region’s natural resources.

We promote the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation electrification, consumer protection, equitable and affordable clean energy services for all consumers, and fish and wildlife restoration on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The Coalition is committed to advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and we are committed to addressing the harm that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have endured due to the energy system, policies, and practices in the Northwest. We are mindful of the intersectional nature of race, economic wellbeing, and geography (urban/rural), and recognize that our commitment to racial justice will help with energy justice more broadly.

Position description

The Regional and State Policy Director position is one of the most exciting clean energy positions in the region and provides the right candidate a huge opportunity to help shape the continued transition to clean, resilient, reliable, and affordable energy services. This management position is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a regional and state-specific policy agenda to achieve the goals of the Coalition. This position will manage our involvement in regional venues (e.g., WestTEC, Bonneville Power Administration, NW Power and Conservation Council, Pathways Initiative) to advance transmission and power planning, western power market development, and setting goals for clean, efficient energy services. This position will also plan and coordinate our state-specific policy advocacy in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho. The Regional & State Policy Director will actively engage with Coalition members, industry leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to advance our goals.

This position reports to the Executive Director and will work in close coordination with our Utility and Regulatory Director to manage the program staff. The Policy Director will actively participate, with all staff, in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion commitments within the organization and our program work.

Principal duties and responsibilities

• Develop, analyze, and advocate for durable and effective policies and programs in regional, state and some local policy proceedings that advance the Coalition’s goals by working in collaboration with Coalition staff, members, and allies.
• Work with Coalition staff to prepare and submit written comments, testify at public hearings, and communicate directly with decision-makers.
• Prepare position and policy papers; write and/or edit articles and reports for Coalition publications.
• Engage with regional bodies such as the Bonneville Power Administration, Northwest Power & Conservation Council and other regional forums working on power and transmission planning, western power market development, and clean, efficient energy services.
• Represent the Coalition at conferences, before regional and state agencies, and before Congress and state legislatures on clean energy, reliability, affordability, fish and wildlife restoration, and climate policies and programs. Serve on regional, state, or local government advisory committees, as appropriate.
• Work with diverse Coalition members, environmental justice and community-based organizations to develop mutually supportive policy positions and nurture collaborative working relationships.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and the Utility and Regulatory Director to help shape overall organizational strategy. Coordinate with Regulatory Director to manage policy and program staff.
• Work with the Development Director and the Executive Director to raise funds to support the Coalition, including grant proposal development, reporting, and donor and foundation cultivation, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in public policy or equivalent life experience; significant experience in energy system policy, advocacy, or legal issues.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong policy program skills and ability to handle multiple projects and priorities.
• Familiarity with energy and climate justice, climate, decarbonization and electricity systems a plus.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.

Salary and benefits

Salary $90,000 to $110,000 depending on experience. Excellent benefits include 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance; four weeks paid vacation; 12 paid holidays; paid sick leave; paid family and medical leave; 401k plan and organizational match of up to 2% of annual salary; flexible work arrangements.

NWEC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request.

This position is open until filled. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, starting on January 27. To help us efficiently process applications and ensure your application is received, please observe the following:

1. Please email a resume and cover letter to Kat Plimpton at kat@nwenergy.org
2. Make the subject line of your e-mail: “[Your Full Name], Policy Director”
3. In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned about the position