Building Decarbonization Director

Reporting to: Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs 
Supporting: ELM and the ELM Action Fund 
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000 

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and the ELM Action Fund (ELM AF) are seeking an experienced regulatory attorney to drive our work at the Department of Public Utilities and lead our work in building decarbonization policy. Building Decarbonization Director is a newly created position within the collegial and effective Policy & Regulatory Affairs team and 22-person ELM staff. ELM and the ELM AF are committed to advocating for policy and building political power in Massachusetts to meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. Read our purpose, mission, vision, and values for ELM and the ELM Action Fund. 

Massachusetts cannot meet its statutory 2030 climate targets without cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector, promptly and equitably electrifying low- and moderate-income housing, and aligning utility incentives and rates with consumer and environmental objectives. ELM seeks a passionate and effective regulatory attorney with strong project management skills, strategic vision, and experience in administrative law proceedings to move these policies forward in Massachusetts. This professional will drive ELM’s work on building decarbonization, energy efficiency, clean heat, and utility business model reform within regulatory proceedings, legislation, and diverse and active coalitions.  

Responsibilities: 
Regulatory Processes 

• Represent ELM in administrative proceedings at the Department of Public Utilities. Near term cases include the future of gas dockets (DPU 25-40 through 45), heat pump rates (DPU 25-08), and other proceedings relating to long-term system planning for a modern, renewable grid and decarbonized buildings and transportation
• Devise and execute strategies for achieving ELM’s advocacy goals in administrative processes at the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Energy Resources, and other relevant agencies
• Organize coalition partners and draft comment letters; review and conduct discovery, work with expert witnesses to craft testimony, prepare for and conduct cross-examination, conduct research to support arguments and draft briefs and motions

Policy & Advocacy 

• Identify regulatory and systemic barriers to an equitable and just transition to decarbonized, healthy buildings. Research and innovate policy solutions to address them
• With ELM’s Advocacy Team, build legislative campaigns to advance clean heat and building decarbonization policies including energy efficiency, electrification, existing buildings standards, building codes, active demand management, transitioning off delivered fuels and natural gas, and utility business model reforms
• Build ELM’s reputation as a thought leader through appearances in media, press, and events

Partnerships & Outreach 

• Build alliances and coalitions among parties to regulatory processes and enrich network of partnerships impacting buildings and clean heat in Massachusetts
• Write advocacy and educational materials, articles, opinion pieces, and communicate about expertise, supported by ELM’s communications team
• Facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholders and drive support for building electrification policies that reduce energy burdens and accelerate the pace of transformation

Qualifications: 
Required 

• Infectious enthusiasm for ELM’s mission
• JD or LLM; at least 3 years of litigation or administrative law practice
• Active bar membership in good standing (MA preferred)
• Subject matter expertise in building electrification policy
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Must be a strategic thinker who is also detail and process-oriented.
• 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 

• Experience intervening at the Massachusetts DPU
• Familiarity with Massachusetts’s legislature and political landscape
• Passion for people and coalition work and experience building consensus

Compensation & Benefits: 

$100,000-115,000 depending on experience and qualifications. 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.