Government and Regulatory Affairs Associate (Multiple cities, US)

What you will do

Role Overview:

The person in this position will lead policy analysis and advocacy efforts on behalf of EDPR’s distributed solar, battery storage and community solar business (EDPR DG). The position will report directly to the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs. The position will cover two main areas of responsibility. First, the Associate will be responsible for advancing EDPR DG’s interests through favorable policies developed at the state level in targeted DG markets across the United States. Such policies would expand market and commercial opportunities for EDPR DG, reduce impediments to the development of DG projects, and promote EDPR DG’s profitability. Second, the Associate will be responsible for advancing EDPR DG’s coverage of regulatory affairs, including retail and wholesale market design and transmission/interconnection, in DG markets. These activities will include engagement with relevant state Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs), interconnecting utilities, and regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) in targeted markets across the United States. To develop favorable policies and prevent the adoption of unfavorable policies, the Associate will monitor and engage in legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts, which may include assisting in the drafting of favorable legislative and regulatory language, providing testimony before legislative or regulatory bodies, arranging meetings between key policymakers and EDPR executives, and other appropriate means. Where applicable, the Associate will engage with contract lobbyists retained by EDPR, and will represent EDPR in trade associations and other allied organizations to which the company belongs, including occupying leadership positions within those associations where possible. The Associate will also be tasked with developing political giving plans for the states in which EDPR DG is active, and with encouraging eligible colleagues to participate in the EDPR’s political action committee.The Associate will develop a solid understanding of EDPR’s distributed generation business model. In addition, this person will regularly engage with EDPR’s utility-scale government and public affairs teams, as well as with other teams within the company, including development, origination, environment, operations, transmission, marketing, communications, and any applicable department. The Associate will engage in regularly scheduled meetings and calls with EDPR’s distribution generation teams, as well as  government and public affairs teams and other elements of the company and will provide regular oral and written reports on developments and activities within the states for which they are responsible.The Associate, along with peers in the department, will also help provide training to any colleagues within the company who have reason to interact with public officials, so that they have the tools to ensure those interactions are to EDPR’s benefit.

Main responsibilities:

• • Represent EDPR DG in engaging with external consultants, public relations firms, lobbyists, trade associations, allied stakeholders, and others in building support for the company’s positions with elected and appointed officials, and other policy advocates and opinion leaders in the clean energy and climate advocacy community.
  • Ensure EDPR DG and any lobbyists or consultants engaged by the company are in full and legal compliance with all requirements in the states for which the employee is responsible.
  • Conduct research and analysis on markets, technologies, and policies to assist EDPR’s distributed generation strategy with respect to entering new geographic markets and new technology markets, and with respect to shaping and advocating for new policy initiatives.
  • Offer pro-active and innovative ideas that advance EDPR DG’s interests and increase public and policymaker support for EDPR projects.
  • Engage directly with utility staff to support the interconnection and value of EDPR assets in development or operations.
  • Prepare and present communications to key personnel, including executive leadership, outlining the implications of the market and policy analysis you’ve prepared.
  • Work closely with internal stakeholders to manage and channel information and analysis to those for whom it is of strategic or tactical value.
  • In addition to supporting EDPR’s distributed solar and battery energy storage efforts, provide assistance to EDPR’s other business lines when necessary, including utility scale renewable generation and energy storage.
  • Additional duties as required.

Employment type

Fulltime/Hybrid Schedule

Work site

New York, New York; Indianapolis, IN; or Chicago, IL

What are we looking for

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Energy/Environmental Policy/Law, Journalism/Communications, or a comparable field.
• 3+ years of related professional experience
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software and other online tools
• Competency in analytical problem solving; strong communication skills

Travel:

25%

Behavioral Requirements:

• • Problem-solving ability in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to be self-motivated and to perform duties independently
  • Ability to prioritize activities based on timing and impact so the focus is on the important
  • Excellent project management and time-management skills
  • Demonstrated efficiency in managing multi-disciplinary tasks
  • Proven ability to learn new software programs
  • Strong interest in renewable energy, other clean energy technologies, and climate policy
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including a commitment to collegial relationships
  • Ability to build relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders and with policymakers of often widely diverse views and philosophies
  • Exemplary standards of integrity, honor, safety, management, ethics, quality, and productivity

Physical demands & working conditions:

• • Sitting/Standing/Flexibility: Ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment
  • Speech/Reading:  Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently and deliver a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
  • Lifting: Ability to lift items weighing up to 15 pounds
  • Vision/Hearing: Ability to understand a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
  • Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary