Utility Policy & Regulatory 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 utility policy & regulatory manager with a passion for environmental and social justice.

Utility regulators and state legislators have the opportunity to establish policies that support energy efficiency, decarbonization, and a more equitable economy. ACEEE’s State & Utility Policy program works with interested stakeholders, state legislators, regulators, and utilities 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 state and utility efforts accelerate 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 utility policy & regulatory manager engages in research, policy development, and outreach on state and utility energy efficiency policy in the United States. This position will coordinate and steer a variety of research and outreach projects, working closely with energy efficiency experts in the State & Utility Policy program, other ACEEE policy and technical teams, and external organizations. The utility policy & regulatory manager will be supervised by the State & Utility Policy program director. This program aims to accelerate energy efficiency-driven decarbonization of our utility system while promoting energy security and equity for historically marginalized, overburdened, and underserved communities.

The utility policy & regulatory manager is responsible for advancing utility energy efficiency policy through state legislation and utility regulation 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 lead research projects designed to accelerate adoption of new and best-practice policies that increase efficiency savings, accelerate decarbonization, and ensure energy equity.

Essential Functions/Major Areas of Responsibility

• Developing and executing strategies to advance ACEEE’s state and utility energy efficiency policy objectives
• Monitoring and participating in state policymaking and utility regulatory proceedings
• Engaging in outreach to and establishing active working relationships with state utility regulators, government agencies, utilities, advocates and related stakeholders
• Providing written and oral comments on proposed state legislation and utility regulation, using ACEEE research
• Supporting other ACEEE policy staff and ally organizations in preparing and submitting comments in state legislative and utility regulatory proceedings
• Conducting research and providing technical assistance on state and utility regulatory issues and programs, including the role of energy efficiency in:
  • energy equity
  • decarbonization
  • rate design
  • utility resource planning / acquisition
  • grid flexibility
  • electrification
  • transition from the utility gas system
• Organizing ACEEE’s biennial Energy Efficiency as a Resource conference
• 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 and experience with utility energy efficiency programs, policies, and technologies
• Familiarity with state legislative and regulatory proceedings, public comment hearings, and regulatory filings
• 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.
• Ability to do spreadsheet analysis to support policy arguments.
• 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 quick learner
• Preferred: knowledge on the following policies
  • Energy efficiency resource standards
  • Integrated resource planning
  • Utility rate design
  • Utility energy efficiency cost recovery and performance incentives
• Preferred: knowledge on the following utility programs:
  • Income qualified
  • Whole-house retrofits
  • Heat pump, heat pump water heater, and other electrification programs
  • Multifamily
  • Manufactured homes
  • Commercial and industrial prescriptive and custom
• Preferred: existing relationships in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and/or South

Required Education and Experience

Educational and work experience in policy research and advocacy, or energy and environmental studies, 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 submitting written comment and/or expert witness testimony in utility regulatory proceedings and/or drafting, reviewing or commenting on state legislation
• Experience providing oral comment and or testimony on legislation and/or regulatory proceedings
• 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: Send cover letter and resume to the link below to access the Paylocity Recruitment portal. We do not accept phone calls or emails about this position.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2813446/American-Council-for-an-Energy-Efficient-Economy/Utility-Policy-Regulatory-Manager

Please let us know how you heard about 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 and encourages applicants with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.