Vice President - Regulatory Reform

About IREC

IREC is an independent nonprofit that builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. Our vision is a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce and community-based solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean energy. IREC provides independent leadership and trusted clean energy expertise through three interrelated strategies:

• Workforce Development - IREC leads initiatives to build a diverse and qualified clean energy workforce while ensuring that clean energy workers have access to family-sustaining careers.
• Local Initiatives - IREC supports communities to develop policies and promote best practices that accelerate the equitable deployment of clean energy.
• State Regulatory Engagement - IREC represents the public interest in state regulatory proceedings and develops and disseminates best practices to ensure that distributed energy resources (DERs) can be equitably and efficiently integrated on the electric grid.
  
  

About The Position

Type: Full-time; exempt

Salary: $140,000 - $150,000

Reports to: President and CEO

Location: remote

Benefits: Health, dental, vision insurance, retirement contribution, personal time off, flexible work schedule

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council seeks a visionary leader to advance change at the intersection of clean energy, equity, and inclusion. You will lead IREC’s Regulatory Team and attorneys as they develop and execute a multi-state strategy to advance distributed energy resource (DER) regulatory best practices. The Vice President contributes as a member of IREC’s Executive team, shaping strategies and direction to reach bold clean energy and energy equity goals to mitigate the climate emergency. You will be responsible for partnership and funding development. You should be a self-motivated, passionate thought leader to provide strategic direction and oversight of the organization’s regulatory program.

Responsibilities

• DER Regulatory Policy Expertise – Provide national and state leadership and expertise on IREC’s core regulatory policy issues: interconnection, grid modernization, energy storage, smart inverters/IEEE 1547-2018 Standard, consumer solar access policies, and integrating energy equity into interconnection and distribution system planning. Identify new policy issues and opportunities to expand IREC’s expertise, such as the integration of electric vehicles on the grid, electrification of the building sector, and other emerging trends as they relate to the grid.
• Regulatory Strategy – Develop and implement IREC’s regulatory strategy, in coordination with IREC’s executive management, regulatory staff, and attorneys, establishing priorities for state engagement.
• State Regulatory Engagement – Oversee and guide the participation of IREC’s regulatory staff and attorneys in state regulatory proceedings, ensuring successful regulatory engagement that results in favorable rules and outcomes in multiple states with diverse DER markets. State level engagement will include activities such as: providing state public service commissions with education and guidance on the advancement of regulatory best practices for DERs; coordinating with the regulatory team and local/state partners to develop policy positions; developing, reviewing, and editing public comments and filings.
• Thought-leading Tools & Resources – Lead and oversee the development of national regulatory policy tools, resources, and reports.
• Public Speaking – Represent IREC in various public forums and events (in-person and virtual) to share information, best practices, and insights about regulatory efforts. Position IREC to earn speaking positions at target conferences and events, including those with regulators, industry, policymakers, and advocates.
• Educational Events – Support the development and execution of various IREC-led or -hosted events (e.g., webinars, panel discussions, workshops, conferences, etc.), with the aim of sharing regulatory insights with target audiences in a clear and comprehensible way.
• Strategic Partnerships – Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with regulatory commissions, government agencies, community-based and energy equity organizations, clean energy industries, utilities, national laboratories, state and regional advocacy organizations, and foundations to advance shared regulatory objectives.
• Team Management – Supervise and provide leadership for the regulatory team including staff and attorneys. Mentor staff, conduct annual performance reviews, and deploy team resources to maximize strategic outcomes and professional development. Lead searches when hiring new staff.
• Development – Work with IREC’s executive management to identify and engage potential new sources of funding to support activities and expansion of the regulatory program. Support and embrace fundraising activities, including identifying and pursuing funding opportunities with foundations and government agencies with the aim to secure resources for the program.
• Communications – Support IREC communications and media efforts to ensure IREC’s regulatory activities, successes, impacts, best practices, and insights are clearly articulated to diverse target audiences, including regulators and policymakers. Coordinate with IREC’s Communications team to share information through diverse communication channels (webinars, blogs, news releases, articles, etc.), with the aim to educate state and national audiences about IREC’s best practices, policy recommendations, and tools.
• Organizational Leadership – Provide support to IREC President and CEO, Senior Management, and Board of Directors to advance IREC’s strategic and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility goals and enhance the stellar reputation of IREC among partners, funders, government agencies, and regulators. Participate in monthly team calls and other organizational activities. Contribute to budget development and provide high-level oversight of Regulatory budgets and funding.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Experience, And Qualities For This Role

The successful candidate will bring the following qualities to our organization:

Required

• 5+ years of work experience and familiarity with public utility regulation, distributed energy resource policy and technology, and state policy and advocacy
• Deep understanding of the electricity grid and U.S. energy system, including the technical, procedural, and legal challenges and related opportunities to accelerate the grid integration of DERs and just transition to sustainable energy
• Understanding of the range of regulatory frameworks and key stakeholders across different states that impact clean energy adoption
• Demonstrated ability to analyze opportunities and develop and implement a strategy to achieve maximum impact
• Demonstrated proficiency in project management and execution
• Fundraising and development skills, including proposal preparation and the ability to develop and oversee budgets
• Superb written and spoken communication skills that allow you to inform and inspire
• Experience managing staff or teams
• Intellectually curious and self-disciplined fast learner with the ability to independently operate in a virtual environment and provide needed self-direction
• Demonstrated passion to mitigate the climate crisis and be part of the clean energy future
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  
  

Preferred

• Graduate degree in one or more environmental policy-related fields, including public policy, environmental science, sustainability, law, engineering, or other relevant clean energy field; experience will be considered as a potential substitute for graduate education
• Experience with communication channels, including social media, online, print and broadcast media
• Experience writing reports or other significant policy documents
• Experience in leading or managing Department of Energy or other federal grants
  
  

Apply with: A cover letter and resume. All application materials must be submitted in English.

IREC understands that certain demographic groups may be less inclined to apply for jobs unless they meet all job requirements. Therefore, we actively encourage applications from individuals who may not fulfill every criteria but believe they are well-suited for the role.

IREC Foundational Values

• We value diversity of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and thoughts and believe they result in better outcomes and greater organizational impact.
• We value the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and their right to be their true and complete self.
• We believe in the potential of the clean energy transition to advance equity in our nation.
  
  

IREC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and embracing a workplace with diverse voices and perspectives. We strongly encourage and seek applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. Applicants are not discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical conditions, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 7/12/24 or until the position is filled.

Applicants must be based and authorized to work in the United States.