Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Policy or Senior Policy Analyst to join our Clean Energy Team in Nevada. The Clean Energy Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for developing and advancing equitable legislative, administrative, and local policy solutions that move the region toward a clean energy economy and address climate change in Nevada. This position involves working closely with WRA’s Communications and Government Affairs staff to shape state and local energy policy and increase the state’s participation in global climate change solutions. This position will report to the Nevada Clean Energy Program Manager, with opportunities to work across the region with a variety of conservation professionals. Candidates should be highly motivated, creative, and strategic thinkers who possess analytical chops, strong writing skills, and sound judgment.

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 decisionmakers 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

The position can work remotely from the Carson City–Reno metropolitan area or can be based in WRA’s Carson City office; or a hybrid remote and in‐office setting.

Responsibilities And Activities

POLICY ANALYST

• Assist in developing and advocating for equitable policies, mechanisms, and organizational positions that reduce the environmental impact of electricity and natural gas use, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in the Interior West.
• Advocate for WRA in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including local governments.
• Prepare expert witness testimony, comments and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including rate cases and other formal or informal processes.
• Assist in negotiating and drafting complex settlement agreements and developing WRA positions for those agreements.
• Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
• Along with WRA’s other state staff, work with the region’s electric and natural gas utilities, the business community, consumer advocates, the environmental community, and other stakeholders to advance clean energy and climate solutions.
• Coordinate among WRA’s policy, government affairs, and communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively conveys WRA’s positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• In coordination with program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation, local ordinances or programs, and administrative or regulatory policies.
• Occasionally travel to meetings and events, generally within their state.

SENIOR POLICY ANALYST

A Senior Policy Analyst will have the following responsibilities and can perform these responsibilities with minimal supervision:

• Lead efforts to develop and advocate for equitable policies, mechanisms, and organizational positions that reduce the environmental impact of electricity and natural gas use, spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy, and address climate change in the Interior West.
• Lead efforts to develop and implement effective WRA advocacy strategies in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums, including local governments.
• Lead negotiations and drafting of complex settlement agreements and developing WRA positions for those agreements.
  Independently prepare expert witness testimony, comments, and discovery in regulatory proceedings, including rate cases and other formal or informal processes.
• Synthesize relevant local, state, and federal policy developments into WRA’s advocacy strategies.
• Develop strategies to guide the region’s electric and natural gas utilities, the business community, consumer advocates, the environmental community, and other stakeholders to advance clean energy and climate solutions.
• Coordinate with WRA’s policy, government affairs, and communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively conveys WRA’s positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to lead policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• In coordination with other program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation, local ordinances or programs, and administrative or regulatory policies.
• Occasionally travel to meetings and events, generally within their state.
• Assist other teams within WRA’s Clean Energy Program on an as-needed basis.
• Advise the Clean Energy Program on strategy and the development of equitable policies.

Required Qualifications

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience or familiarity with public utility regulation, the energy industry, clean energy technologies, decarbonization strategies, climate policy, or related work.
• Background in economics, public policy, engineering, or related disciplines. Knowledge of or willingness to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• 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.
• A policy analyst will typically have between 2-8 years of relevant experience.

SENIOR POLICY ANALYST QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for Senior Policy Analyst, in addition to the above qualifications, a candidate should demonstrate at least two of the following:

• Existing relationships with key stakeholders and decisionmakers in their respective state.
• Knowledge of the politics and policy landscape in their respective state.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions, or presenting before official bodies or in a public forum.
• Skill with independently managing multiple projects with varying timelines.
• A senior policy analyst will typically have at least 8 years of relevant experience.

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 $55,000-$85,000 annually for a Policy Analyst, and $75,000-$115,000 annually for a Senior Policy Analyst; 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 three weeks paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, one paid birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. After one-year employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave with the first six weeks paid, 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 Thursday, February 16, 2023