Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) seeks a full-time Policy Associate to join our Policy Team. The Policy Associate will assist the Director of Legislative Affairs and the Director of Regulatory Policy in their work to analyze, advocate, develop, and communicate CEE’s policy positions in policy arenas that shape Minnesota’s energy framework, including the Minnesota Legislature, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Department of Commerce. CEE is at the forefront of driving Minnesota toward a carbon neutral future with sensible policies and regulations that maintain energy access and affordability, give customers control over their energy use, and increase economic opportunity for all. The Policy Associate is part of an effective and well-respected team that brings CEE’s thought leadership in energy efficiency technologies and markets to bear in the public policy arena. We seek an independent, self-motivated, organized communicator, looking to grow as a policy researcher, writer and advocate.

This is a full-time position that provides a wide range of benefits including Paid Time Off (PTO), affordable medical, company-paid dental, paid parental leave, life and long-term disability insurance as well as a profit-sharing retirement plan.  This position will have the option of working primarily from home or working out of either our Minneapolis-North Loop or St. Paul-Midway office location, with some presence required at the Capitol and in-person meetings and hearings.

Background:

CEE is a data-driven, consumer-focused, and community-based clean energy nonprofit headquartered in the North Loop of Minneapolis.  We provide practical and research-based energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful carbon emissions. CEE is a flexible workplace that invites open door communications, respects diverse backgrounds and points of view, and values work-life balance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Research public policies and provide information and summaries of clean energy and energy efficiency approaches from around the country.
• Research topics as needed to support CEE regulatory filings and legislative initiatives.
• Track regulatory dockets, read participant comments, and provide the team with summaries and updates on where parties stand on the issues, as well as regulatory schedules and deadlines.
• Set meetings with state legislators, state staff, energy advocates, and other stakeholders. Represent CEE in meetings to reflect our positions and gather information from other parties.
• Write CEE positions for multiple audiences including regulators in formal filings at the PUC and Department of Commerce, advocacy briefs provided to legislators, and general audiences for CEE’s website and blog.
• Attend regulatory hearings, track regulator and advocate positions, dialogue, and questions. Summarize hearing activity for the policy team.
• Track state legislative proposals, summarize bills, attend legislative hearings, and take notes on testimony and positions. 
• Organize educational meetings across Minnesota with policymakers, stakeholders, and allies.
• Maintain CEE’s energy dockets webpage with relevant energy dockets.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent

Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate with a four-year college degree and some experience in policy analysis or policy advocacy. Familiarity with Minnesota state energy policy is preferred but not required. A graduate degree is a plus, but not required.  With these credentials, we'd expect the hiring range would be $60k to $65k.

For a candidate with a four-year college degree and at least 4 years of policy analysis or policy advocacy, preferably with Minnesota state energy policy, we'd expect the hiring range would be $75k to $82k. 

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Very strong writing skills and the ability to write for regulators, legislators, policy professionals as well as general audiences.
• Analytical skills: an ability to read and understand statutes and policy proposals, and an ability to analyze their likely impacts, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Research skills: the ability to find, understand, and compile credible information from reliable sources on energy policies and related issues.
• Excellent people skills with an ability to build rapport with a wide variety of policymakers, advocates, and analysts.
• An ability to be highly organized, flexible, and agile within a fast-paced policy environment
• An ability to work independently, to contribute effectively as a member of a team, and to collaborate across the organization.  

General:

• Takes initiative to prioritize and accomplish daily activities with little direction
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation development skills
• Excellent project management, including time and deadline management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Strong commitment to CEE’s mission, vision, and values

Working Conditions:

• Ability to perform work indoors in an office environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high daily pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to view and effectively operate a personal computer, either desktop or laptop, for extended periods of time.
• Access to reliable transportation or public transit options to attend meetings and off-site events including transportation of materials and equipment as needed.  

Throughout the pandemic, CEE has made the safety of our workforce our first priority. We require all employees to be fully vaccinated unless a reasonable accommodation is provided based on disability or sincerely held religious belief. Candidates will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon hire.

Center for Energy and Environment seeks to enrich the diversity of the CEE community and encourages applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. CEE is long noted for its research, policy advocacy and programming to provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses and communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer