Policy Associate, Building Decarbonization and Gas Transition

Policy Associate, Building Decarbonization and Gas Transition 

Advanced Energy United educates, engages, and advocates for policies that allow our member companies to compete to repower our economy with 100% clean energy. We work with decision makers at every level of government as well as regulators of energy markets to achieve this goal. The businesses we represent are lowering consumer costs, creating thousands of new jobs every year, and providing the full range of clean, efficient, and reliable energy and transportation solutions. The U.S. market for advanced energy products and services reached nearly $375 billion in 2022. Together, we are united in our mission to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy in the United States. 

If you’re an entrepreneurial, innovative, and thoughtful person looking to make an impact in the clean energy space, United might be the perfect place for you to share your talents. Team members at United are given the trust and responsibility to make big things happen, and myriad opportunities to learn new skills, explore new issue areas, and work with a broad cross section of the clean energy community. Being a team member at United also means working with a talented and diverse group of people, some who bring decades of experience spanning advocacy, philanthropy, clean tech, government and more—and our collaborative approach means we get to learn from each other, expert and novice, every day. And while our organization is fully remote, we are proud of the people-focused culture we have built and the connectedness of our team.   

We work on serious issues, take our mission seriously, but never take ourselves too seriously. 

Position Description  

Advanced Energy United is currently seeking a candidate with excellent writing and communications skills with interest and/or experience in policy and political advocacy for an entry-level Associate position on our “future of gas” campaign. The Associate will work collaboratively to support existing project teams to accelerate decarbonization of the building stock and natural gas sector in legislative, administrative, regulatory, and political venues in states across the country. 

The transition away from gas to clean energy will require use of all of the tools in the toolbox, from reforming utility business models to reimagining utility resource and infrastructure planning; from educating decisionmakers on financial and economic risks of the status quo, to storytelling the vision of clean, affordable, and resilient homes for all to the general public; from assisting state energy offices in implementing federal programs and incentives to pushing back on specific proposals to double down on fossil fuels. The role will include policy development, advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic communications to create momentum for cutting-edge solutions via legislation, regulatory reforms, and executive actions.  

The ideal candidate will be a motivated self-starter with an interest in both policy and politics, clean energy and climate, and will have a balanced skill set that includes strong communication, writing, organizational and prioritization skills, and an appetite to get into the weeds while still seeing the bigger picture. The Associate will work collaboratively with project teams to build support for and advance Advanced Energy United’s agenda in priority states. Candidates should be creative, flexible, and good at time management. Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to meet with United members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials as needed.  

Responsibilities  

• Contribute to Advanced Energy United project teams in executing priority projects and strategies to accelerate the decarbonization of buildings in the United States.  

• Draft materials needed for education and advocacy efforts, including regulatory comments, legislative testimony, presentations, fact sheets, and other written and visual materials, and deliver verbal presentations as requested.  

• Track, analyze, and summarize building- and gas-related policy developments around the country, providing intelligence and insights using Advanced Energy United's Insight Engine™ platform. 

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Advanced Energy United staff, members, allies, as well as key legislative, regulatory, and administrative staff.  

• Work with Advanced Energy United's communications team to identify opportunities to seek earned media coverage, including op-eds, editorial board meetings, etc., in key media outlets. 

• Coordinate efforts with coalition allies in support of aligned clean energy goals; represent United and its members on coalition calls. 

• Help support and organize education sessions, coalition meetings, decisionmaker meetings and stakeholder outreach. 

• Travel on an as-needed basis (up to 20%) to targeted states for advocacy days, regulatory workshops or hearings, regional or national energy conferences, and meetings with key allies and stakeholders. 

Required Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.    

• One to three years of professional experience in state policy or campaign or issue organizing; experience advocating for clean energy is a plus.    

• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit; candidates must be very comfortable working in an environment with remote colleagues, creating new projects, building their own calendar, and delivering on high expectations.   

• Strong interpersonal skills required; candidates must be able to successfully develop and maintain productive relationships with members, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and other key contacts.   

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written required—inclusive of public speaking.   

• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitive nature, and excellent listening and problem-solving skills.   

• Must be willing to travel    

Physical Requirements: 

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is required to sit for long periods of time; reach with hands and arms; may need to balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs. 

Job type: Full-time; regular; residence in the U.S. required  

Location: REMOTE 

Salary: starting at $62,000 

Start Date: October/November 2023 

 Advanced Energy United Perks include:  

•    Remote work and flexible schedule  

•    Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families   

•    Medical premiums covered for employees at 100%  

•    Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care   

•    Profit Sharing opportunities and annual merit-based compensation increases  

•    $50/month personal wellness reimbursement  

•    $50/month phone stipend 

•    Up to $200 reimbursement for home office set-up 

•    Accrued Paid Time Off, 11 Federal Holidays, and an annual end-of-year closure  

•    Parental Leave  

•    Tuition reimbursement and professional development reimbursement  

•    401(k) plan (with matching incentives)  

•    WMATA Transit Smart Benefits (DMV employees)  

Advanced Energy United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application, interview process, and/ or to perform essential job functions please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@advancedenergyunited.org. We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization (“DEIJ”). We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy. We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.