State Policy Manager

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a national research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, seeks a motivated and experienced state policy manager with a passion for the environment and social justice.

State policies can play a critical role in advancing energy efficiency, decarbonization, and a more equitable economy. ACEEE’s State & Utility Policy program works with state officials, utilities, and other stakeholders to develop and analyze the best energy efficiency policies and strategies for the communities they serve, particularly for communities underserved by states’ current systems. Our expert analysis, technical assistance to state officials and utilities, and evaluation of their efforts accelerates innovative approaches to improve energy efficiency, reduce climate pollution, and advance equity across the power, buildings, transportation, and industrial sectors.

About ACEEE

ACEEE is a leading nonprofit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. We conduct independent analysis and develop transformative policies that aim to reduce energy use. Our goal is to build an equitable and vibrant economy, protect the environment, and promote the health, safety, and well-being of everyone.

Staff at ACEEE are collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong commitment to our mission. We prioritize professional growth and development. Staff work at an energetic pace with a high degree of workplace flexibility and an emphasis on results, making ACEEE an enjoyable and fulfilling place to work.

ACEEE is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization, and integrating equity in our research and policy work.

Position Description

The state policy manager coordinates state-level policy engagement activity for the State & Utility Policy program and supports state-level policy engagement work for other ACEEE teams when they intersect with state agencies, regulatory bodies, and legislatures. The manager tracks state policy activity, maintains strong working relationships with relevant policymakers and their staffs, and closely coordinates with advocacy allies to enact effective energy efficiency policy.

The state policy manager leads ACEEE’s biennial State Scorecard, one of the organization’s highest-profile publications, and helps advance our policy objectives by connecting ACEEE research products to the policymaking process. The state policy manager will be supervised by the director of the State & Utility Policy program. This program aims to accelerate energy efficiency-driven decarbonization while promoting energy security and equity for historically marginalized, overburdened, and underserved communities.

The state policy manager is responsible for advancing state-level energy efficiency policy through procedural engagement, building and maintaining an extensive network of associated relationships (e.g., with decision-makers, utilities, and advocates), and providing targeted technical assistance based on ACEEE research. The manager will also help inform and participate in research projects designed to accelerate adoption of new and best-practice state policies that increase efficiency savings, accelerate decarbonization, and ensure energy equity.

Essential Functions/Major Areas of Responsibility

• Managing ACEEE’s biennial State Scorecard report
• Engaging ACEEE teams to identify their state policy engagement objectives, resources, and needs
• Strategic planning and theory of change development to advance ACEEE state policy priorities
• Monitoring and internally reporting on state policymaking activity to identify avenues for advancing ACEEE policy goals
• Engaging in outreach to state legislatures, regulators, government agencies, utilities, advocates and related stakeholders
• Providing written and oral comments on proposed state policy
• Supporting other ACEEE policy staff and ally organizations in preparing and submitting comments in state policymaking proceedings
• Identifying and supporting new ACEEE research efforts that strengthen ACEEE’s reputation as a policy thought leader and technical assistance resource provider (based on a landscape view of state policy opportunity and cultivated working relationships with key policymaking champions)
• Promoting and securing requests for ACEEE research and analysis by utilities, regulators, policymakers, and advocates to advance passage of new efficiency policy
• Developing policy fact sheets, blog posts, and reports to funders
• Tracking progress toward external impact and internal project deliverables and supporting budgeting efforts to ensure objectives are met, in coordination with the State & Utility Policy program director
• Fundraising to support ACEEE research and state policy work, in coordination with the State & Utility Policy program director

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of state policymaking processes and a demonstrated track record of advancing state-level energy policy
• Specialized knowledge in at least one of the following policy areas, and basic knowledge of the others:
  • Building energy efficiency and electrification
  • Transportation electrification
  • Industrial efficiency and electrification
• Highly experienced in analyzing and developing energy policies and efficiency programs
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with ACEEE staff and external stakeholders, including utilities, advocates, and governmental representatives
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Excellent research and quantitative analysis skills. Highly analytical and detail oriented, with ability to analyze complex quantitative and qualitative data.
• Superb organizational and project coordination skills, with ability to manage research projects and budgets
• Ability to perform multiple tasks independently
• Highly motivated self-starter and a quick learner

Required Education and Experience

Educational and work experience in energy and environmental public policy, including:

• Bachelor’s degree with seven years of experience, or
  • Master’s degree and at least five years of experience, or
  • PhD and at least two years of experience
• Experience reviewing, submitting formal written comments, and speaking before state legislators and/or regulatory bodies
• Author or co-author on significant policy-related publications preferred

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct supervision of other employees is required.

Location and preferred start date: Starting in November or as soon as possible. The ACEEE office is located in Washington, DC, but the position can be remote (US only). Applicants from the Midwest are encouraged to apply.

Salary: This is a full-time, exempt position. The anticipated salary is $80,000, with the range of $73,736 - $92,170, commensurate with qualifications and experience. ACEEE’s generous benefits package includes health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan; transportation and bike share benefits; and three weeks of vacation in the first year and four weeks thereafter.

To apply: Use the link below to use the Paylocity Recruitment portal. Be sure to submit your cover letter and resume. We do not accept phone calls or emails about the position.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2813164/American-Council-for-an-Energy-Efficient-Economy/State-Policy-Manager

Please let us know how you heard of this opening.

ACEEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. ACEEE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in its organization