The Senior Policy Manager, Distributed Generation (DG), will collaborate with the Senior Policy Director, Director of Regulatory Affairs, and key Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) Distributed Energy Resources (DER) program and Transparency & Insights (T&I) staff to develop and implement CSE’s legislative and regulatory policy agendas related to renewables/solar, DG, energy storage, rate design/reform, Net Energy Metering (NEM)/Net Billing/Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), building decarbonization and other demand-side programs. As a fundamental part of CSE’s policy work, the Senior Policy Manager, DG, will track legislative, regulatory, and other government initiatives related to these programs, provide necessary analysis, and lead development of responses to these initiatives.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Advise the Senior Director, Policy and Director of Regulatory Affairs, on all regulatory and legislative matters relevant to renewables/solar, DG, energy storage, rate design/reform, Net Energy Metering (NEM)/Net Billing/Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), building decarbonization, and other demand-side programs, including interpretation of local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, and regulations, existing and pending.
- Working with the Director of Regulatory Affairs, manage regulatory engagement in matters relevant to renewables/solar, DG, energy storage, rate design/reform, Net Energy Metering (NEM)/Net Billing/Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), and other demand-side programs, including participation in relevant proceedings, scheduling, meetings, filings, notices, and other required deliverables.
- Monitor and track regulatory proceedings and dockets, provide summaries and analysis, draft regulatory comments, and other filings, monitor and participate in relevant workshops and hearings, manage preparation of advice letters and other compliance filings/submittals/reports, and manage preparation of policy summaries, blog posts and other materials for a variety of stakeholders.
- Coordinate and collaborate with CSE DER program staff to ensure CSE programs follow regulatory and legislative requirements for implementation and reporting.
- Participate in the development and execution of CSE’s regulatory agency and legislative engagement, including ex-parte, quasi-legislative, and general informational meetings.
- Work with CSE DER program staff to identify strategic opportunities for CSE programs to provide additional support to local, state, and federal clean energy policy goals.
- Represent CSE in regulatory, legislative, policy and other forums.
- Develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with agency commissioners, regulatory and legislative staff, and other relevant stakeholder leaders through a regular cadence of meetings and follow-up.
- In coordination with the Senior Director, Policy and Director of Regulatory Affairs, monitor and track relevant legislative and executive actions at the state and federal levels and provide summaries and analysis.
- In coordination with the Director of Regulatory Affairs, provide proactive guidance on upcoming regulatory and policy developments and priorities, including interpretations of strategic documents and their implication for CSE's mission.
- Manage responses to inquiries and information requests from policymakers in areas of expertise.
- Provide policy research and analysis support for special projects and other CSE efforts.
- May serve as a subject matter expert on certain policy areas, including those related to renewables/solar, DG, energy storage, rate design/reform, Net Energy Metering (NEM)/Net Billing/Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), building decarbonization and other demand-side programs, as directed by the Director of Regulatory Affairs.
Role Specific Responsibilities:
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required
- Working knowledge of DG/ES subject matter area, including, but not limited to, renewables/solar, DG, energy storage, rate design/reform, Net Energy Metering (NEM)/Net Billing/Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), building decarbonization, and other demand-side programs.
- Working knowledge and experience with regulatory and legislative policy and state and federal governmental processes.
- Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and summarize complex regulatory documents.
- Ability to navigate regulatory and legislative records.
- Ability to understand and apply relevant policy frameworks and analytical tools to issues.
- Ability to analyze proposed policy changes to understand potential impacts upon CSE and the region.
- Demonstrated successful ability to develop robust policy solutions that meet the identified policy need.
- Ability to write policy and analytical prose that is clear, concise, precise, and accessible.
- Strong organizational and time management skills: must be a skillful planner and demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within sometimes challenging time constraints and to work under strict deadlines.
- Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and persuasively, orally and in writing, to individuals and groups.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management, staff, clients, and the general public.
- Ability to respond appropriately to external events in a manner consistent with CSE’s plans and strategies.
- Ability to work within an organizational structure that embraces a collaborative and consultative framework for decision-making.
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to deal appropriately and effectively with others.
- Flexibility and ability to prioritize and respond to changes in priorities and demands for work.
- Demonstrated ability/capacity to manage a team of specialists and individual contributors.
Preferred
- DG/ES market experience a plus.
- Experience with local, state, and federal governments a plus.
- Knowledge of CSE DER Programs (specifically SOMAH and SGIP) a plus.
- Highly developed research skills; ability to find and synthesize information on specific energy topics, utilizing the widest variety of credible sources a plus.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
- Must have successfully passed the California Bar Examination.
Experience:
- 5-10 years of experience in state regulatory work.
- Required working knowledge and experience with regulatory and/or legislative policy in at least one CSE technology area (e.g., DERs, DG, or Transportation).
- Working knowledge of management responsibilities and demonstrated ability to manage a team of policy analysts and staff a plus.
- Leadership role in regulatory filings or legislative tracking/analysis preferred.
- Knowledge of CSE Programs and/or third-party administration of programs an asset.
Licenses, Certificates or Registrations:
- Must have successfully passed the California Bar Examination.
115000.00 To 129000.00 (USD) Annually
