Policy Principal - CHARGED Initiative

Position Description

For this new position, United seeks a highly energetic, smart, innovative Principal with a background in issue advocacy, utility regulation, and in particular, knowledge of electricity distribution system issues, to join our policy team. Working under the supervision of our Senior Fellow for Content and Education, the Principal will support United’s participation in the CHARGED Initiative (Charting a Path for Greater Electrification on the Distribution System), a multi-year effort to prepare the distribution system for electric vehicles and building electrification. The Principal will focus on project execution and will interface with our project partners in the initiative – the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and GridLab. The Principal will also share responsibility for coordinating United’s work on the CHARGED initiative with the core activities of United’s policy team, and engaging with our member companies to enable their participation in CHARGED.  Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to attend CHARGED events, and to meet with United members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials.

Key Skills for Success

Have a mind for policy: Market opportunities for the advanced energy industry are driven by policy. The ideal candidate will have a solid working knowledge of regulatory processes but also some knowledge of legislative processes. Experience working on regulatory issues specifically related to the electricity distribution system and a basic understanding of the operations of that system are strongly preferred. 

Project management skills and a drive to get things done: The ideal candidate must have the ability to keep multiple tasks organized and on track, communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with United colleagues and external partners, and demonstrate the drive and sense of urgency to advance policies while simultaneously navigating relationships with various types of entities (legislators, regulators, staff of decision-makers, United member companies, utilities, allied organizations, etc.)

Responsibilities 

• Serve as member of the CHARGED core team at United. This includes working with our initiative partners, RMI and GridLab.
• Participate directly in CHARGED ideation, implementation, and education activities, including in working groups tasked with developing electrification solutions and implementing them at specific utilities.
• Serve as the interface between United’s work on the CHARGED initiative and United’s core policy and decision-maker education work, ensuring strong coordination, especially with our state regulatory teams.
• Organize and manage the direct participation of United members in CHARGED activities.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with coalition partners and identify and cultivate relationships with new allies.
• Draft reports, presentations, fact sheets, and other written and visual materials needed for education and advocacy efforts and deliver verbal presentations as necessary.
• Work with our communications team to identify opportunities for United to seek earned media coverage. Draft press statements, write blog posts, participate in webinars, engage with reporters, and create opportunities to showcase advanced energy.
• Travel on an as needed basis (up to 30%) for CHARGED events and working group meetings, as well as conferences, trainings, communications outreach, and other efforts on behalf of United.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, engineering, political science, or public policy preferred, or comparable experience; master’s degree in a relevant area is a plus.
• 4-6 years of professional experience in utility regulatory policy work. Specific experience with utility distribution systems and distributed energy resources highly preferred.
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple workstreams and participants from multiple organizations.
• Superb written and verbal communications skills.  A candidate must be able to independently draft clear, comprehensive, and persuasive written documents appropriate for intended audiences.
• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitive nature, and excellent listening and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in professional settings participating in and, when necessary, leading both internal and external efforts toward an agreed upon goal and being “bottom line” responsible for quality finished products.
• Entrepreneurial approach, flexible attitude, and ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Performance-oriented individual with a strong work ethic, demonstrated initiative, and commitment to achieving goals.
• Interest in energy and transportation issues and an understanding of the importance of policy advocacy to advance an organizational agenda.
• Must have a sense of humor, recognize there is always more to learn, and not take oneself too seriously.
• Must be willing to travel.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is required to sit for long periods of time; reach with hands and arms; may need to balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs.

Job type: Full-time; regular

Location: REMOTE; residence in the U.S. required

Salary: starting at $78,000

Start Date: January/February 2025

 Advanced Energy United Perks include:

·         Remote work and flexible schedule

·         Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families 

·         Medical premiums covered for employees at 100%

·         Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care 

·         Profit sharing opportunities and annual merit-based compensation increases

·         $50/month personal wellness reimbursement

·         $50/month phone stipend

·         Up to $200 reimbursement for home office set-up

·         Accrued Paid Time Off, 11 federal holidays, and an annual end-of-year closure

·         Parental Leave

·         Professional development reimbursement

·         401(k) plan (with matching incentives)

. WMATA Transit Smart Benefits (DC, MD, VA employees)

Advanced Energy United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application, interview process, and/ or to perform essential job functions please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@advancedenergyunited.org. We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization (“DEIJ”). We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy. We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.