Energy Markets Program Manager

Founded in 1989, Western Resource Advocates is dedicated to protecting the West’s land, air, and water to ensure that vibrant communities exist in balance with nature. We use law, science, and economics to craft innovative solutions to the most pressing conservation issues in the region within three core program areas: Clean Energy, Healthy Rivers and Western Lands.
In the face of population growth and climate change, the Western United States needs a strong and effective advocacy voice at the regional level to address changes that are already underway and to steer the West towards a sustainable future. WRA has aggressive plans to tackle these challenges. We envision a future in the West where:

• Western rivers and lakes will have abundant clean water to support habitat for fish and wildlife, communities and agriculture, and world class recreational opportunities. The Colorado River will flow to the sea;
• Our homes, buildings and transportation systems will be powered by clean energy. The West will prosper in a zero-carbon economy;
• Half of western landscapes and habitat will be protected and connected to support thriving wildlife populations and unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the West’s natural beauty; and
• The West will have clean air and clean water to support healthy communities and vital habitat.
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This position can be based in any of WRA’s offices, which are located in Boulder, CO; Denver, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; and Carson City, NV. WRA employees are strongly encouraged to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MANAGEMENT

• Establish priorities for the Regional Energy Markets Program.
• Manage program staff.
• Supervise outside expert and legal consultants.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY

• Develop advocacy strategies to achieve WRA’s goals and objectives.
• Represent WRA’s Regional Energy Markets Program at CAISO Board meetings, EIM Governing Body meetings, SPP stakeholder meetings, and other regional meetings of interest.
• Coordinate with stakeholders including utilities, renewable energy developer and environmental advocates, electricity consumers to advance regional energy market solutions.
• Educate key decision makers across the region, including governors, legislators and state public utility commissioners about the economic and environmental benefits of regional energy markets.
• Monitor and track relevant state, regional and federal policy developments.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with state and regional energy market decision makers across the West.
• Oversee and guide the development of stakeholder comments and recommendations in a variety of forums, including CAISO and SPP stakeholder processes, EIM Governing Body meetings, regional meetings of state utility regulators, and state regulatory proceedings.

INTERNAL COORDINATION

• Collaborate with WRA Program and Communications staff to produce and disseminate materials that effectively communicate our mission, goals and the results of our work to external audiences.
• Support the WRA Development team in grant writing and reporting, and raising resources.

TRAVEL

• Travel to meetings and events, 20-30% of the time, generally within the Interior West (post COVID-19).

BACKGROUND

• Proven experience working on electricity regulation and/or energy market issues.
• A professional degree or equivalent experience in law, economics, public policy, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of energy market policy and design, including day-ahead, real-time, and ancillary services markets.
• Familiarity with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and its market services, including the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) and the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM).

COMMUNICATON SKILLS

• Strong written and oral communication abilities.
• Comfort and skill in communicating technical issues at a level commensurate with a variety of audience types, including regulators, policymakers, utility management, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

This section is made up of skills that a candidate may come in with, and if not, may be trained on the job. They are not required and candidates who do not possess these skills yet, should not be discouraged from applying.

• Knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and its market services.

Salary range for this position is $85,000-$115,000; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range – most start close to the midpoint of the range.  WRA’s excellent benefits package includes health, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, life & disability insurance, 3 weeks paid vacation leave, sick leave, parental leave, sabbatical leave after five years; and an RTD EcoPass for staff in the Denver/Boulder metro area. Position is full-time exempt.

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. Learn more about our commitment here: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/#commitment-to-diversity . 

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.