Policy Director - Interconnection 4-year position

The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) is excited to announce an opportunity for a Policy Director to join our team in support of a Solar for All (SFA) grant.
CCSA is a named participant in the Community Power Coalition (CPC) MultiState award supporting community solar deployment across the country.
The CPC SFA program, Powering America Together, will integrate with, support, and expand the impact of the U.S.
Department of Energy's National Community Solar Partnership and Community Power Accelerator program with a goal of delivering meaningful benefits for Americans in low-income and disadvantaged communities through community solar projects.

The Policy Director will work on behalf of CCSA and the Community Power Coalition in a 4-year, term-limited position, monitoring and engaging in state-level regulatory proceedings related to integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) including distribution system interconnection, integrated grid planning, cost allocation, and grid modernization and providing technical assistance to CPC members.
In this role, you will also assist CCSA's Policy and Existing Markets teams by tracking and prioritizing relevant regulatory proceedings by participating in workgroups, managing stakeholder coalitions, and interfacing with policymakers.
The position will also work on research and analysis, strategic projects, and other duties as time allows.
The anticipated start date for this position is immediate.

CCSA is a fast-paced, mission-driven, collegial, and fun work environment.
The ideal candidate will share CCSA's mission to expand access to solar for all and fit the fast paced and self-starting culture.
Our team members are passionate about expanding access to renewable energy solutions to every American energy consumer and are constantly striving to improve and better ourselves.
We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner.
If you will enjoy working in a growing organization with a collegial work environment, and in a fast-paced and self-starting culture, you are probably a great fit for our team!

What You Will Be Doing:

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building for Community Power Coalition Members

• Lead interconnection technical assistance efforts nationwide, including developing and presenting materials on the basics of utility interconnection and best practices to utilities, state public utilities commissions, and other state agencies and stakeholders.
  
• Lead and facilitate regular webinars and calls with CPC members on interconnection policy issues.
• Monitor state regulatory dockets to help CPC members engage with relevant proceedings related to distribution system interconnection, and as needed, integrated grid planning, cost allocation, and grid modernization.
  Identify opportunities for CPC members to provide input.
  
• Provide best practices and subject matter expertise to support CPC members' meaningful engagement in dockets nationwide.
• Perform state-specific reviews of interconnection practices and potential challenges to inform CPC members and program administrators as new markets open to community solar.
• Identify and communicate opportunities to engage both CCSA members and CPC members.

Policy Analysis and Regulatory Affairs

• Draft and file comments in regulatory proceedings, testify before regulatory bodies, and/or deliver public comments on behalf of CCSA.
• Work with the Senior Director of Interconnection and Grid Integration Policy to support regulatory activities and ensure regulatory efforts align with CCSA campaign plans and meet organizational goals.
• Execute research and analysis, strategic projects, and other duties as time allows.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

What You Bring to CCSA:

• Successful candidates will have experience working with state and/or federal agencies, in regulatory affairs, analyzing agency-issued positions, communications and regulatory processes, and developing policy positions.
• Experience at the intersection of technology, utilities, and the grid with a focus on state policy and public utility regulation.
• Experience building and leading stakeholder coalitions.
• Must be goal-motivated, adaptable, a strategic thinker, self-starter, and detail-oriented.
  
• Excellent ability to speak publicly and write clearly, accurately, and persuasively.
• Ability to identify, build rapport, and keep contact with key energy policy stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently.
• Ability to multitask on projects across several jurisdictions simultaneously.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems with limited resources.
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.

Requirements

• Minimum 7+ years of work experience in energy regulatory affairs and/or policy advocacy.
• Comfort with state-level utility regulation, preferably with a focus on solar or renewable energy.
• Some travel will be required as necessary for participation in relevant regulatory dockets (expect travel for one staff retreat, one CCSA conference, and one CPC summit annually, 3-5 industry conferences annually, and regulatory travel as needed).
• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States.

Bonus Experience

• Direct experience with distribution system generation interconnection processes.

Reports To

Senior Director, Interconnection & Grid Integration Policy

The perks of working at CCSA:

• Base salary range is $120,000-$150,000 with the opportunity to participate in an additional performance incentive plan.
  Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, and skills of application and alignment with market data.
• This position also offers the opportunity for promotion and growth within CCSA.
• Comprehensive benefits include health insurance (90% premiums paid for employees and 75% premiums paid for dependents); 100% paid vision and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• 3% retirement plan contribution
• Company-sponsored short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance
• Paid parental leave (eligible after 6 months of employment)
• 3 weeks paid vacation (at start) and 11 paid holidays
• Professional coaching opportunities