New Mexico Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor

Salary Range: $86,500.00 To 121,000.00 Annually

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Senior Clean Energy Policy to join our team in New Mexico. The Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor will develop and advocate for policies and programs that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production and spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy in New Mexico. This position will work in partnership with the New Mexico Clean Energy Manager and the Deputy Director of State Advocacy. The Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor will work with partners to create and leverage opportunities to advance WRA’s clean energy objectives and diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position may work remotely in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe metro area, in WRA’s Santa Fe office, or a hybrid of the two. Travel to meetings, conferences, proceedings, and other work-related events is required within New Mexico. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region.  

Responsibilities And Activities

POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Independently develop and advocate for equitable policies in New Mexico regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums that reduce the environmental impact of electric and gas public utilities, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in the Interior West with guidance and direction from a senior team member.
• Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
• Research and analyze current and emerging clean energy policy in New Mexico including legislation, administrative rules, and utility proceedings at the Public Regulation Commission, with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning, energy efficiency, distributed resources, load management, beneficial electrification, and rate design.
• Lead supervision of outside consultants.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• Independently evaluate utility plans and applications, state and local regulatory proposals, and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRA’s decarbonization goals.

ADVOCACY

• Independently write expert witness testimony, comments, and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including system and resource planning, permitting, rulemaking, rate cases, and other formal or informal processes.
• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums and identify opportunities to advance WRA’s objectives.
• Represent WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including through written and oral testimony or comments before regulatory and legislative bodies, with guidance from a senior team member.
• Lead negotiations and drafting of settlement agreements including developing WRA positions for those agreements.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates, state government agencies, and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effectively engage in coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.

INTERNAL COORDINATION/OTHER

• Assist with grant proposals and reports.
• Draft internal papers and summaries on topics of current interest.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute and drive a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRA’s policy, Government Affairs, and Marketing and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA’s success to date and future goals.

Required Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include: 

• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Superior quantitative and analytical skills.
• Extensive experience and familiarity with public utility regulation, the energy industry, clean energy technologies, decarbonization strategies, climate policy, or related work.
• Background in economics, public policy, engineering, environmental science, or related disciplines. Knowledge of or willingness to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• Exceptional ability to write and communicate clearly, and explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through.
• Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or comparable experience in economics, public policy, engineering, environmental science, or other relevant field.

The Senior Policy Advisor should demonstrate at least two of the following additional qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience related to electric or gas planning or energy modeling.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers in New Mexico.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utilities commissions or other regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated skill with independently managing multiple projects with varying timelines.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $86,500-$121,000 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor!

Thank you for your interest in the Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position; and
• Resume.

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.