ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns.

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

Vote Solar seeks a candidate committed to helping advance sustainable, equitable solutions to the challenges facing solar expansion in the electricity market. This position will report to the Midwest Regulatory Director and requires both strategic thinking in advocating for technical solutions before state regulatory bodies, and collaborative coalition building and management in getting those solutions implemented. The position will work closely with legal counsel and technical resources to promote solar generally and as an alternative to fossil gas investments in regulatory and legislative venues. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented person who excels at building relationships and managing complicated projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Midwest Regulatory Manager primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE (10%)

• Continue personal learning and contributions to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.

REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY (50%)

• Monitor, participate, and occasionally intervene in, regulatory proceedings in the Midwest, with a primary focus on Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
• Prepare expert testimony and workpapers, frame discovery for utility and other witnesses, and advocate for Vote Solar’s positions in cross-examination—all in pursuit of regulatory outcomes that provide fair compensation for distributed energy resources, ensure equitable access to the benefits of the clean energy transition, and grow solar markets.
• Build relationships with decision makers and stakeholders and create innovative strategies for ongoing policy maker education and issue updates. Summarize complex, technical filings from the regulatory proceedings into publicly-accessible themes and issues that can be used to educate partners and other stakeholders on regulatory policies and processes and support strong coalitions that can influence decision making.
• Pursue innovative regulatory policies that address historical racial, economic and structural inequities and remove barriers to solar adoption by residential and business customers.
• Enhance and defend market opportunities for solar and distributed energy resources to provide flexibility and reliability services to the grid and to displace new and existing gas plants.
• Provide advice and support to Vote Solar’s legislative and grassroots campaigns on state-level legislation that can open up new opportunities for solar and storage markets in key states, with a focus on Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
• Partner with the rest of the Midwest team and other Vote Solar staff on strategy and approach within key states.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP (20%)

• Provide thought leadership in designing new regulatory paradigms that prioritize renewables, climate justice and resilience, equity, and maximizing participation in (and benefit from) distributed energy resources.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & COALITION MANAGEMENT (20%)

• Build and collaborate with coalitions of stakeholders – including frontline communities, environmental justice advocates, consumer advocates, environmental advocates, energy efficiency proponents, energy storage providers, electric vehicle advocates, etc. – to develop and pursue win-win strategies.

REQUIREMENTS

This is a mid-level, regionally-focused position with the opportunity to influence the future of renewable energy policy in key targeted states.

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• A minimum of two years experience working in a field related to renewable energy, climate change or energy regulation.
• Applicants should have knowledge of the electricity sector and a general understanding of US electricity markets and renewable and distributed energy technologies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, coordinating technical input from a variety of sources, including Vote Solar supervisors and colleagues from multiple states.
• Demonstrated ability to write effectively for technical audiences and to translate complex policy ideas for a general audience.
• A personal commitment to building an inclusive and supportive work environment.

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WOULD BE EXCITED TO LEARN HERE

• Strong analytical and strategic skills, including the use of spreadsheet models or data analysis software.
• Technical expertise in clean energy policy and practice (particularly in the Midwest solar sector).
• Experience with formal regulatory proceedings, including utility ratemaking, procurement, or grid operations.
• Existing partnerships with energy and environmental justice organizations and community groups in Illinois.

MINDSETS

• A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and inter-personal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
• Passion for building new capacity at a growing organization. Each member of the Vote Solar team plays a role in helping our organization grow and learn.
• Understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership) is as important as what we work on.

LOCATION

The position is open to anyone in the Midwest, with a preference for candidates based in Illinois or Michigan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Vote Solar staff have primarily been working from home. This position will require some regional and national travel. Vote Solar has a satellite office in Chicago but other workplace accommodations are possible, including coworking space elsewhere in the region.

Benefits

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $83,000 to $90,000. Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents; a retirement savings plan and an employer match of up to 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a letter of interest and resume through Workable. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

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