Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has unveiled the Climate Action Plan that will guide the County toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The Montgomery climate plan, which will increase resilience in the face of climate hazards, is one of the most ambitious climate plans in the nation for a local government.

DEP is seeking an Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Analyst to join the Office of Energy and Climate in order to develop and lead the implementation of Montgomery County’s Clean Energy Action Plan (CEAP). This position will be working with elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly, officials at the PSC, and utility representatives on laws, regulations, policies, and practices governing energy supplied to and used by the County’s residents, businesses, and institutions. This position will be navigating the competing policy objectives of a variety of stakeholders across a range of State climate and energy policies.

Within the guidelines of the CEAP, the position will seek to find solutions to these competing policy objectives to allow passage of legislation, adoption of regulations, or adoption of operating procedures and practices that support the County’s energy efficiency and clean energy objectives. This position, in conjunction with the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR), will serve as the County’s primary technical lead to promote a decarbonized energy supply for Montgomery County.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and maintaining a Clean Energy Action Plan for Montgomery County.
• Building a knowledge base on legislation, regulations, and other processes governing energy policy and programs in the state of Maryland including, but not limited to, the EmPOWER Maryland program, the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), net energy metering, community solar, and Community Choice Energy programs.
• Coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders at the local and state level to implement the County’s Clean Energy Action Plan, including those with diverse opinions, interests, and backgrounds.
• Developing cross-departmental relationships within County Government, including the Office of the County Attorney, Office of Intergovernmental Relations, Climate Leadership Team, and various County Departments that focus on energy issues.
• Drafting clean-energy-focused legislation in conjunction with County and State officials.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with members and staff of the General Assembly, representatives of the Maryland Public Service Commission, and utilities serving Montgomery County residents and businesses, in order to advance the County’s clean energy agenda.
• Engaging with other Maryland jurisdictions to build coalitions and consolidate support for state-level clean energy legislation consistent with the County’s clean energy goals.
• Identifying, procuring, and managing consultant and budget needs to support policy and program elements of the Clean Energy Action Plan, particularly those that require specific technical, financial, legal, or other specific expertise not available within the County Government.

The ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies related to energy, climate and/or utility sectors, as well as experience in decarbonized energy and climate programs, stakeholder relationship development, and coalition building.

The successful candidate must have the ability to work in a collaborative environment within a large organization with multiple priorities and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The ideal candidate must also be highly organized and detailed oriented, and have the ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.

This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office, including Montgomery County, Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington D.C., and other places in the Washington Metropolitan region.

Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required.

As part of your application, please submit two writing samples where the candidate is the sole author. The writing samples should reflect the applicant’s expertise as listed in the preferred criteria below. Applications submitted without writing samples will not be considered for an interview.

Effective August 30, 2021, all new hires will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to their first date of employment. Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated should contact OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov to discuss possible accommodations.

Learn more about how to apply HERE!

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Recruitment/MCGCareers.html

(Search for Job # IRC50966)