Overview

 

                                                                                                   Center for Partnerships and Innovation
                                                                                                                          Technical Specialist
                                                                                                                         Position Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

NARUC CPI identifies emerging challenges and connects state commissions with expertise and strategies to navigate complex decision-making. CPI accomplishes this goal by building relationships, developing resources, and delivering training that provides answers to state commissions’ questions. NARUC CPI conducts work across energy generation, transmission, distribution, and customer (behind-the-meter) areas plus critical infrastructure resilience and cybersecurity. CPI develops resources that include webinars, peer sharing calls, papers, site visits, trainings, workshops, and more.

The Technical Specialist is responsible for supporting work on a portfolio of ongoing domestic grant projects awarded to NARUC by federal funders. The Technical Specialist will undertake specific activities across a range of funded projects that focus on the intersection of technology and regulatory issues relevant to electric vehicles, distributed energy resources, virtual power plants, interoperability, battery energy storage, grid modernization, and related topics.

The position reports to the Technical Director – Center for Partnerships and Innovation.

  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct topical research and perform technical, regulatory, and policy analyses in support of projects set forth in annual work plans.
  • Stay up to date on current and emerging issues associated with relevant grant projects, with the objective of developing subject matter expertise in one or more technical areas relevant to CPI’s grants.
  • Assist in developing white papers, issues briefs, webinar content, and similar work products to meet project deliverables.
  • Review consultant-prepared project deliverables.
  • Support development of work plans and proposals for funding to support departmental activities identified by the Director.
  • Draft or review scopes of work and requests for proposals and consulting agreements and contracts.
  • Schedule meetings, conference calls, and webinars to fulfill requirements of specific projects.
  • Track progress toward project milestones and deliverables and provide regular written and verbal updates.
  • Collaborate with state public utility commissions, national associations, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders on issues related to specific grant projects.
  • Communicate about NARUC work products, working groups, priorities, and technical assistance needs and opportunities verbally and in writing with a wide range of audiences.
  • Identify and coordinate project-related updates to the NARUC CPI website independently or with relevant NARUC staff.
  • Coordinate production of grant-related materials (publications, announcements, posters, etc.) independently or with designated NARUC staff.
  • Contribute to external outreach and communications related to specific grant projects (e-news, etc.)
  • Support NARUC Committee and Subcommittee activities, as assigned.

 OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university, with a preference for a degree in an engineering, energy, environmental, political science, public policy, or economics field. Master’s degree in economics, energy policy, environmental policy, public policy, urban planning, or engineering is preferred.
  • Minimum one year of experience in any of the following areas: energy, electricity, gas, utility regulation, government, or project management.
  • Exceptional research and writing skills.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines.
  • Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and issues.
  • Ability to travel domestically up to 20%, including to support NARUC’s three national conferences per year.
  • U.S. citizenship or existing work authorization.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position is grant-funded and continued employment is based on client funding and satisfactory work performance. This is an exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience. NARUC has an excellent benefits package.

This description is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time, based on NARUC’s needs.

Work location is flexible; employees have the option of working from NARUC’s Washington, DC office.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.