Organization: Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
Closing Date:
Position description: SWEEP seeks a dynamic and experienced energy policy advocate to lead its efforts to accelerate decarbonization in Arizona’s transportation, buildings, utility, and industry sectors through greater investments in energy efficiency, demand flexibility, transportation and building electrification, and other solutions.
The successful candidate will engage with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), state and local governments, the legislature, and utility Boards of Directors to shape utility resource planning, building codes, transportation policies, and other regulatory and legislative processes. They will also collaborate with stakeholders — utilities, businesses, consumer advocates, and community organizations — to advance demand-side management, grid flexibility, building and transportation electrification, and other key decarbonization strategies that support reliable, affordable, and efficient energy use.
While this is a remote position, applicants must reside in Arizona and be able to travel regularly within the state to attend in-person public meetings and engage with stakeholders. The position will report to SWEEP’s Executive Director and collaborate closely with SWEEP staff in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
Key responsibilities
- Stakeholder engagement and coalition building
- Build and maintain relationships with regulators, policymakers, utility staff, consumer advocates, environmental organizations, and clean energy businesses.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to align advocacy efforts and develop joint policy proposals.
- Provide technical expertise to policymakers and stakeholders on regulatory and legislative issues related to energy efficiency, electrification, and utility planning.
- Provide technical assistance and support to frontline and Tribal communities affected by the energy transition.
- Strategic communications and public outreach
- Develop policy briefs, fact sheets, and other materials to educate stakeholders on regulatory issues.
- Testify before the ACC and Arizona Legislature on key energy policies.
- Engage with local government decision-makers on building, transportation, and energy policy issues.
- Engage in media outreach, including writing op-eds, posting to social media, and participating in public forums.
- Utility regulation and policy advocacy
- Assist with SWEEP’s representation in front of the ACC and Salt River Project Board of Directors in coordination with SWEEP’s Utility Program team.
- Participate in utility stakeholder processes and standing meetings.
- Advocate for robust energy efficiency, demand response, electrification, and grid modernization policies that reduce costs and emissions while improving system reliability.
- Engage with regulated utilities to encourage investments in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and beneficial electrification.
- Support replication and adoption of successful state and local clean energy policies related to energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, grid modernization, and demand-side management with data-driven research.
Minimum qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in energy or environmental policy or related fields.
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Public Policy, Law, Energy Systems, Environmental Science, Economics, or a related field.
- Familiarity with Arizona’s energy regulatory and policy landscape.
- Experience working with stakeholders, including regulators, utilities, advocacy groups, and state and local policymakers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting comments and providing public testimony, drafting letters to the editor, and educating policy makers.
- Commitment to clean energy solutions, equity, and consumer protections.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in the electric and gas utilities industries.
- Knowledge of integrated resource planning, energy efficiency program design, and demand-side management strategies.
- Experience related to climate and energy policy or public utility regulation.
- Prior experience working with Arizona policymakers and regulatory staff.
- Strong analytical skills include evaluating utility regulatory filings, city building, transportation, and sustainability plans, and other policy proposals shaping Arizona’s energy and infrastructure landscape.
Compensation and benefits
This role’s full-time starting salary ranges between $80,000 to $90,000, depending on experience. SWEEP’s excellent benefits package includes health and dental coverage, a retirement plan with a match, 26 days of vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, parental leave, and life insurance. After five years of employment, SWEEP staff are eligible for a three-month paid sabbatical.
We are committed to building a more diverse and inclusive organization and conservation movement. We encourage applicants from all cultures, race, ethnicity, geographies, political affiliations, sexual orientations, gender identities, and all other identities protected by law. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.
To apply: If you are interested in this job, please submit a cover letter and resume to hiring@swenergy.org. If you have questions about the position, contact Elise Jones at ejones@swenergy.org.