Clean Grid Director

Reporting to: Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

Supporting: ELM and the ELM Action Fund

Salary Range: $95,000-$103,000

• The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and the ELM Action Fund (ELM AF) are committed to advocating for policy and building political power in Massachusetts to meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. The Clean Grid Director will be an integral member of a collegial and effective Policy & Regulatory Affairs team and 23person

ELM staff. Read our purpose, mission, vision, and values for ELM and the ELM Action Fund.

We seek a passionate, energetic, and effective Clean Grid Director to lead ELM’s work to ensure that our modern, decarbonized, resilient grid is equitably planned, built, and financed in ways that reduce energy burdens and benefit communities. This experienced professional will provide subject matter expertise and policy guidance on solar, energy storage, grid-edge technologies, clean energy siting and permitting, and related regulatory processes such as interconnection, grid modernization, and distribution and transmission planning. They will work with regulators, municipal and community leaders, elected officials, and diverse coalitions to ensure that Massachusetts’s grid is equitably planned and built to facilitate electrification of buildings and transportation on pace with our statewide climate goals.

Responsibilities:

Policy & Advocacy

• Identify regulatory and systemic barriers to creating the clean grid necessary for an equitable, decarbonized economy. Research and innovate policy solutions to address them
• With ELM’s Advocacy Team, build legislative campaigns to advance clean energy priorities including distributed energy resources, system planning and procurements, and electric vehicle infrastructure buildout
• Build ELM’s reputation as a thought leader through appearances in media, press, and events

Regulatory Action

• Create and drive regulatory advocacy that enables clean energy resources to be promptly built in ways that benefit communities and decarbonization goals. Key near term responsibilities include leading ELM’s advocacy in agency and community forums implementing the 2024 climate bill’s storage procurement and siting and permitting reforms
• Build ELM’s involvement in DPU dockets and ISO-NE processes related to grid modernization, interconnection, energy planning, and transmission

Partnerships & Outreach

• Build and enrich network of external partnerships impacting distributed clean energy and grid infrastructure and resilience
• Develop policy proposals and resources with community advocates, municipal leaders, and regional planning organizations that enable clean energy resources to be built in ways that incorporate community input and enhance community outcomes

Qualifications:

Required

• Enthusiasm for ELM’s mission
• Subject matter expertise in clean energy policy
• Experience with agency rulemaking and regulatory processes
• Familiarity with Massachusetts’ political landscape, legislature, and administration
• Passion for people and coalition work and experience building consensus
• Organized self-starter with an ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and deliverables simultaneously
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to distill complex ideas into clear, easy to understand messages
• Collaborative, “all hands on deck” orientation around getting work done
• Commitment to centering racial justice and equity and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture

Preferred

• Juris Doctorate or Master’s in related field
• Experience intervening in dockets at the DPU or EFSB
• Familiarity with electric grid, electrical engineering concepts, and/or clean energy development, siting, and finance
• Network of connections in clean energy policy and/or environmental justice and community-based activists

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range $95,000- $103,000, depending on credentials and experience. ELM provides generous paid time off, health and dental insurance, Health Savings Account, and a 403(b) retirement plan with organizational match.

This full-time role is based in our Boston office and requires occasional morning and evening commitments outside of the standard 9-5 office hours. ELM supports a hybrid work environment.

To Apply

Please fill out our optional demographic survey and then submit your resume and answers to the following questions.

Your response to each question should be no more than 250 words.

• Based on your work and personal experiences, what makes you a good fit for this position? This can include (but is not limited to) what past experiences (professional or otherwise) relate to this job’s responsibilities, what skills you are excited to share, or other reasons you are a great candidate for this role.
• ELM is committed to continually expanding our work supporting overburdened and underserved communities and fostering a multicultural and inclusive staff. Please describe your own personal and professional commitment to these areas.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) candidates may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. 

ELM is an equal-opportunity employer and we strongly encourage applications from all interested candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, creed, religion, personal appearance, national origin, citizenship, age, gender, or sexual orientation.” 

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.