Clean Energy Policy Advisor

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for a Policy Advisor is $78761 $99609 annually and the salary range for a Senior Policy Advisor is $97750 $123625; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Policy Advisor Clean Energy will develop and advocate for policies and programs that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy and address climate change in Arizona. The Policy Advisor will work with guidance from the Deputy Director of State Advocacy.

The Senior Policy Advisor Clean Energy will independently develop and advocate for policies and programs that reduce the environmental impact of electricity production spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy and address climate change in Arizona.

ABOUT WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES

WRA is a regional nonprofit fighting climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment economy and people of the West. The organization is driving state-level action to advance policies that create a healthier and more equitable future for all communities. As the go-to experts for nearly four decades WRAs on-the-ground work deploys clean energy and protects air land water and wildlife.

LOCATION

The preferred location for this position is in Arizona. The position may work remotely in Arizona or in WRAs Phoenix Arizona office or a hybrid of the two. The alternate locations for this position may include working remotely in Colorado Nevada New Mexico or Utah or in those respective state offices or a hybrid of the two.

RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Develop and advocate for equitable policies in regulatory legislative and other policy forums that reduce the environmental impact of electricity and natural gas use spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy and address climate change in the Interior West with guidance and support from a senior team member.
• Monitor relevant local state and federal policy developments.
• Research and analyze current and emerging clean energy policy in Arizona including legislation administrative rules and utility proceedings at the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Salt River Project with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning energy efficiency distributed resources load management beneficial electrification and rate design.
• Assist in supervision of outside consultants.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• With guidance from a senior team member evaluate utility plans and applications state and local regulatory proposals and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRAs decarbonization goals.

ADVOCACY

• Develop strategies and prepare expert witness testimony comments and discovery in regulatory proceedings including planning permitting rulemaking rate cases and other formal or informal processes with guidance from a senior team member.
• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums and identify opportunities to advance WRAs objectives.
• Represent WRA in regulatory legislative and other policy forums including through written and oral testimony before regulatory and legislative bodies with guidance from a senior team member.
• Assist in negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities regulators consumer advocates clean energy and environmental advocates state government agencies and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effectively engage in and help lead coalitions of diverse partners building alignment around shared goals and strategies that advance WRAs mission and policy priorities.

INTERNAL COORDINATION/OTHER

• Assist with grant proposals and reports.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRAs policy Government Affairs and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRAs positions to stakeholders and decision makers.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position will be considered. For example the requisite experience knowledge skills and abilities would include:

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience or familiarity with public utility regulation the energy industry clean energy technologies decarbonization strategies climate policy or related work.
• Background in economics public policy engineering or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of or desire to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences including non-experts.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail and followthrough.
• Commitment to WRAs Diversity Equity and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in economics engineering environmental policy or other relevant field.
• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions.
• Experience working on Arizona state policy.

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Independently develop and advocate for equitable policies in Arizona regulatory legislative administrative and other policy forums that reduce the environmental impact of electric and gas public utilities spur a rapid transition to a clean energy economy and address climate change in the Interior West.
• Monitor relevant local state and federal policy developments.
• Research and analyze current and emerging clean energy policy in Arizona including legislation administrative rules and utility proceedings at the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Salt River Project with a focus on issues related to gas and electric resource planning energy efficiency distributed resources load management beneficial electrification and rate design.
• Lead supervision of outside consultants.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• Independently evaluate utility plans and applications state and local regulatory proposals and pending legislation to ensure that they advance WRAs decarbonization goals.
• Work with WRAs Government Affairs team to provide policy support for advocacy campaigns.

ADVOCACY

• Develop strategies and independently write expert witness testimony comments and discovery in regulatory proceedings including system and resource planning permitting rulemaking rate cases and other formal or informal processes.
• Track regulatory proceedings and other state-level forums and identify opportunities to advance WRAs objectives.
• Represent WRA in regulatory legislative and other policy forums including through written and oral testimony or comments before regulatory and legislative bodies.
• Lead negotiations and drafting of settlement agreements including developing WRA positions for those agreements.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH

• Build relationships and work with representatives of regulated utilities regulators consumer advocates clean energy and environmental advocates state government agencies legislators and other gas and electric industry stakeholders to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Effectively engage in and help lead coalitions of diverse partners building alignment around shared goals and strategies that advance WRAs mission and policy priorities.

INTERNAL COORDINATION/OTHER

• Assist with grant proposals and reports.
• Draft internal papers and summaries on topics of current interest.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute and drive a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRAs policy Government Affairs and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRAs success to date and future goals.

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR QUALIFICATIONS &COMPETENCIES

Any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position will be considered. For example the requisite experience knowledge skills and abilities would include:

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience and familiarity with public utility regulation the energy industry clean energy technologies decarbonization strategies climate policy or related work.
• Background in economics public policy engineering or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of or desire to understand complex regulatory processes and policy pathways.
• Exceptional ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences including non-experts.
• Superior quantitative and analytical skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail and followthrough.
• Commitment to WRAs Diversity Equity and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in economics engineering environmental policy or other relevant field.

• Experience testifying as an expert witness before state public utility commissions.
• Experience working and building relationships with state legislators.
• Experience working on Arizona state policy.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations:

• A typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires some travel by automobile airplane etc.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel to meetings conferences proceedings and other work-related events is required within the relevant state. This is in addition to travel required for retreats and other internal organizational meetings within WRAs region. This is approximately 10-15% of the time depending on the location of work.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for a Policy Advisor is $78761 $99609 annually and the salary range for a Senior Policy Advisor is $97750 $123625 salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health dental vision and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start twelve paid sick days one paid volunteer day twelve paid holidays and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Years Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave and after five years staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Monday August 17^th 2026 *Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race color religion gender sex gender identity sexual orientation national or ethnic origin age disability marital status amnesty or veteran status. Learn more about our commitment here:Diversity Equity & Inclusion - Western Resource Advocates

Apply To Be WRAsClean Energy Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Advisor!

Thank you for your interest in the Policy Advisor position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position. Addressed to: The Clean Energy Interview Panel
• Writing Sample
• Resume

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to.