Energy Policy Advisor

What We Can Achieve Together:
The Energy Policy Advisor is a member of the Arizona Climate Program working to put Arizona on a path to economy-wide net-zero carbon emissions. The position will develop and implement policy approaches to achieve the Conservancy’s climate and clean energy goals through interaction with Arizona governments, agencies, clean energy advocates and utility sector partners. This position is based out of our Phoenix, AZ office.  
We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team. 
Along with experience working on issues related to electric utility planning and energy policy, the ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!
In conjunction with the Climate Program Director, the Energy Policy Advisor works with an interdisciplinary team and serves as a subject matter expert and advisor on complex and strategic clean energy and climate policy issues.  This position is responsible for forming, maintaining, and developing partnerships with governmental agencies, electric utilities, clean energy advocates, consumer advocates, and renewable energy industry representatives to inform and advance clean energy and climate policy. Essential functions: 
Support Statewide Energy Policy (65%)
1. Lead efforts to develop and advocate for policies, mechanisms, and organizational positions to accelerate Arizona’s transition to a clean energy economy and address climate change.
2. Engage in the Arizona Corporation Commission electric utility planning, rate setting, and regulatory proceedings to inform and shape energy policy in support of program climate goals.
3. Coordinate with an interdisciplinary team to develop communications and outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey TNC’s positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
4. Work with a diverse group of stakeholders including electric utilities, clean energy advocates, consumer advocates, and renewable energy industry leaders to advance shared policy agendas.  
5. In coordination with climate program staff, review, analyze, and evaluate the potential impact of proposed climate and energy policy and administrative processes that support or hinder climate program goals.
6. Keep abreast of emerging state and federal climate and clean energy topics to lead equitable and inclusive climate and clean energy policy development.
7. Strengthening TNC’s role as an effective, credible partner on energy and climate issues.
8. Lead the development of policy statements and technical reports for TNC or in collaboration with one or more stakeholders.

Convene on Emerging Climate and Clean Energy Policy Issues (25%)
1. Identify and develop an annual convening on emerging energy technology, industry, or topics critical to advancing climate and clean energy goals. 
2. Work with the Climate Program, consultants, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to curate the conversation to achieve strategic outcomes that inform and/or advance public understanding and climate or clean energy policies. 
3. Document learning and stakeholder agreements with meeting reports, white papers, slide decks, and other forms as appropriate.

Other (10%)
1. Participate in Arizona Climate Program, business unit, and regional TNC meetings, trainings, etc. as required.
2. Adhere to TNC’s and Arizona’s established SOPs and business processes.
3. Initiate, negotiate and formalize, with support from Arizona Operations staff, contracts for services and other formal agreements to support climate program strategies.
4. Complete administrative tasks, including time reports, expense reports, and performance self-evaluations accurately and in a timely manner.
5. Occasional travel including overnight throughout Arizona for meetings and occasionally in U.S. for trainings, etc.
6. Occasionally work long hours, weekends, and holidays. 
7. Other duties as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
• Support program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment and work collaboratively within a cross-functional interdisciplinary team.
• Develop relationships and work effectively with corporate, government, community, and non-governmental organization partners.
• Participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Make strategic decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Responsibility and accountability for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.  
• May supervise administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development. May also supervise volunteers.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Other duties as required.

What You’ll Bring:
• Bachelor’s degree in energy or climate policy, economics, sustainability, utility management, political science, or other relevant field and 5 years of government relations or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience.  
• Fluency in English.
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment. 
• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Communications and presentation experience - including written and oral communication to a wide range of audiences.  
• Experience negotiating. 
• Experience using Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook. 
• Valid driver’s license.
• Lift, carry, and move 25 pounds.
• Youth certified (internal training completed within initial 30 days; annually thereafter).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Knowledge of current trends in relevant discipline; specifically in energy policy, utility planning, and climate issues. 
• Knowledge of Arizona’s politics and policy landscape.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions or presenting before official bodies or in a public forum.
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated. 
• Master’s degree appreciated.
• Supervisory experience appreciated.
• Organizational skills.

Next Steps
To apply for job ID 54201, submit your current resume and a cover letter online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on December 4, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.