Senior Policy Analyst (Energy)

at  National Governors Association

TITLE: Senior Policy Analyst (Energy)
ORGANIZATION: National Governors Association
LOCATION: Washington, DC (onsite)
DURATION: Full Time
POSITION STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Program Director (Energy)

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in public policy, energy policy, or a related field. Five-plus years working in areas of policies and programs within the energy or environmental policy portfolio, including substantive knowledge and experience working on a wide range of state policy approaches to addressing energy and environmental policy areas. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of state environmental protection policies and programs in the air, land, and water space; familiarity with U.S. EPA, DOE, and other federal agency environmental initiatives; some knowledge of state energy planning, grid modernization and energy infrastructure development/new technology deployment; state clean energy and decarbonization strategies, including support of certain generation technologies such as solar, wind, and nuclear; and general knowledge of U.S. energy markets and how they are regulated at the state level.
Knowledge and expertise could include helping Governors, their staff and their executive branch appointees design and implement evidence-based policies focused on achieving specific outcomes. Experience working with Governors, working in federal or state agencies or in non-profit organizations is preferred. Candidates with commensurate lived experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to:

• Have foundational content knowledge and experience related to federal and state policy in policy issue area(s);
• Understand state policy and policy making and the role of Governors in advancing specific policies;
• Identify and track key issues of concern to Governors and develop initiatives to address those concerns;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in verbal forms and facilitate meetings, with particular emphasis on the ability to communicate with policy-making audiences;
• Have strong research, analytical skills, including ability to synthesize complex issues into audience-appropriate policy considerations and recommendations;
• Manage multiple projects, work with high-level state policymakers in a variety of settings, and respond effectively to their needs for information and technical assistance;
• Customer-service orientation with strong interpersonal skills, including the skills necessary to effectively work with colleagues, partner organizations and a variety of high-ranking state policymakers as well as enthusiasm for collaboration with colleagues;
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting and re-purposing research and best practices for policymakers in a timely and effective manner;
• Ability and willingness to work independently and take a proactive approach to problem-solving;
• Conduct qualitative evaluations of projects and produce subsequent reports;
• Prepare grant applications and reports on grant progress;
• Be flexible and adaptable to working in multiple programs and policy issues;
• Have knowledge and understanding of MS Office suite and web tools; and
• Travel, as necessary.

The Center for Best Practices Senior Policy Analyst’s primary responsibilities will be to support Governors on a range of energy and environmental policy issues that may include energy planning and system modernization to meet clean energy, storage, and electrification goals, energy resilience planning and funding, federal energy regulation and energy markets, state and federal nuclear energy priorities, some environmental work primarily focused on water and air policies and conservation, and other issues that may evolve over time. This position will report to a Program Director overseeing energy policy issues.

Other important responsibilities of the Senior Policy Analyst include:

• Lead the development of events (including in-person, hybrid, and virtual events) to include: workshops, seminars, meetings, and presentations. Develop session content, plan and facilitate panel discussions, state strategy sessions, and other events for Governors, senior state policy staff, and key stakeholders on program and policy issue areas;
• Provide ‘best practice’ guidance and state technical assistance to Governors’ policy advisors, other state policymakers, NGA committees, task forces, and other work groups;
• Manage multiple ongoing projects and facilitate new project development, including engaging with partners and funders, working with sub-contracts and consultants, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables, scoping and designing new projects, and drafting grant proposals.
• Write reports, articles, issue briefs, case studies, guides, tools, and memoranda on program and policy issues and best practices of relevance to Governors and their policy staffs and other state policymakers; Establish and maintain relationships with key individuals and groups within and outside NGA;
• Maintain topical experience in state and federal program and policy issues;
• Demonstrate a commitment to NGA’s mission and goals to constructively serve the needs of all
• Governors; and
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Deputy Director, and Director, Center for Best Practices.