About the Organization:

The Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) provides policy makers including governors, legislators, regulators, and other decision-makers with assistance that accelerates the nationwide development of an equitable clean energy economy. That economy will create and keep jobs in the United States; encourage development and use of clean and affordable domestic energy; support resilience for marginalized communities; protect our environment and climate; and keep America on the leading edge of global competition.

CNEE convenes bipartisan policymakers and other leaders around issues such as grid modernization, electrifying transportation, and decarbonization, with a focus on challenges such as energy justice and the urban-rural divide.

This position is based in Denver in the CSU Systems Office, 555 17th Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO. The position is hybrid but requires a minimum of two days per week in the Denver office. More time may be necessary based on supervisor discretion.

Position Summary:

The Senior Policy Advisor assists the Assistant Director and Director in identifying and pursuing opportunities for advancement of policy initiatives to support the expansion of the New Energy Economy. This position makes decisions affecting the Center and manages high profile and high priority projects.

The Senior Policy Advisor works with an experienced and creative team on innovative policy solutions for clean energy and impactful programs in the West and around the country. This position has the freedom to develop and implement new projects that move the nation toward a cleaner and equitable energy economy.

Essential Job Duties:

Center Management Assistance

• Strategic planning, management of budgets and programs, fundraising assistance, funder reporting, program evaluation, and hiring.

CNEE Projects and Research

• Identifies and pursues opportunities for the Center to lead and participate in public policy discussions and forums related to clean-energy policy development and implementation, toward the objective of growing the new energy economy at the federal, state and local levels throughout the U.S.
• Leverages the CNEE resources, such as the Advanced Energy Legislation Tracker and State Policy Opportunity Tracker when engaging with current and prospective project sponsors, to effectively position CNEE as a leading resource on clean-energy policy development and legislation.
• Collaborates with national and international agencies, organizations, and funders, to raise the profile of the Center within the context of policy and program development discussions and creates written and verbal products that synthesize experiential and technical knowledge about important aspects of clean energy policy.
• Develops projects to demonstrate and expand opportunities for the New Energy Economy;
• Builds and promotes the Center as a vital, credible source of unbiased, research-based information on clean energy policy and its economic impacts and makes recommendations on policy and program development in target markets to expand New Energy opportunities.
• Facilitates discussion and collaboration among Colorado State faculty members of various disciplines regarding energy research and policy and serves as a liaison with national and international organizations that are implementing and promoting clean energy policy development.
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities and collaborative partnerships with industry, policy organizations, federal agencies and research institutions.
• Engages other Universities and private sector partners in the Center’s mission and activities and serves as an ambassador for the University in state, national and international discussions related to energy policy.
• Is a prominent, informed voice representing the University’s environmental and energy policy expertise in public forums, media interviews, publications, testimony, speaking engagements and other appropriate venues.

Required Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Energy Management, Environmental Sciences, Political Science, Public Policy, or related discipline.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in policy development, energy program development and management or related activity (or equivalent)
• Experience working with state legislatures and executive agencies on clean energy policy development and evaluation
• Understanding of existing and emerging energy industry challenges, opportunities, and technologies
• Experience with the utility regulatory environment
• Experience in convening diverse perspectives and facilitating effective dialogue involving thought leaders, government officials/executive staff and private sector executives
• Experience evaluating energy trends, emerging energy industries, and identifying barriers to clean energy expansion
• Experience in managing or administering energy programs
• Ability to lead, coordinate, and maintain multiple projects in a highly organized and detailed manner
• Ability to travel around the U.S. and internationally as required
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work independently and on group efforts
• Exercises traits such as teamwork, flexibility, creativity, and detailed focus in all tasks
• Experience in communications (writing and public speaking)
• Willingness to work and build relationships with diverse audiences

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in Energy Policy, Science, Political Science, Civil, Renewable, or Environmental Engineering or related discipline
• Excellent communication skills (public speaking, writing)
• Excellent collaborative program and partnership building and face-to-face and online networking skills
• Experience working for or with non-profit organizations
• Experience working closely with a director, chair or other leader of a policy initiative, program, or organization
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse public; Governors, other policymakers, students, faculty, and staff
• Experience supporting (at a senior level) or as an elected or appointed official or Congressional staff

For full position details and instructions on how to apply, visit https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/122821.