Regional Policy Manager, West

~ Wind on the Wires (WOW) is dedicated to overcoming the barriers to moving wind and solar energy to market in the Midwest. ~

The WOW footprint covers 9 states – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. As a respected voice in the environmental community, electric industry, and regulatory agencies, WOW works with a variety of players to facilitate the development of wind and solar energy and transmission in the Midwest. WOW works in three primary areas:

• Technical – works with utilities, regional transmission organizations and other key stakeholders on transmission planning, wind and solar integration and renewables market and operations issues.
• Regulatory – participates in key dockets and regulatory cases at state public utilities/service commissions to advance integration of wind and solar in the Midwest.
• Policy, Education and Outreach – educates a variety of stakeholders from landowners to governor’s offices on policies needed to advance wind and solar energy in the Midwest.

Position Overview

Wind on the Wires (WOW) seeks a Regional Policy Manager, West to work on policy issues in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The position is located in the WOW office in St. Paul, Minnesota. WOW is looking for a detail-oriented self-starter who can work both independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate will be able to understand policy, technical and regulatory details, work effectively in challenging situations, possess excellent writing skills, demonstrate a track record of success, and be willing to do a moderate amount of travel.

The candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to secure and maintain effective relationships with key decision-makers including state regulators and legislators, governor’s offices, and other important stakeholders. The candidate needs to be a self-starter and both drive a pro-active agenda as well as work on the larger organizational agenda items with WOW colleagues. The Regional Policy Manager, West will work closely with the executive director, consultants, contract lobbyists, WOW members and colleague organizations to further WOW’s mission.

Responsibilities 

• Educating legislators, state regulators and other decision-makers on wind, solar, grid and transmission issues
• Overseeing the state work of various consultants, including contract lobbyists and others
• Serving as a primary resource on wind, solar, grid and transmission issues in the region
• In coordination with the WOW Communications Manager, respond to media inquiries
• In coordination with WOW’s technical consultant, support policies and procedures that advance the integration of wind and solar energy in the Midwest
• Participating in dockets at state public utilities/service commissions, including drafting comments and testimony and coordinating with NGO colleague organizations and wind/solar businesses
• Facilitating WOW state working groups (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI) and encouraging robust participation by WOW NGO and for-profit members
• Partnering with WOW members, supporters and colleague organizations on various projects, including formation of North Dakota Wind Coalition under the auspices of WOW
• In coordination with the WOW Development Manager, assist with drafting grant proposals, producing funding reports and creating new state/regional initiatives for which funding can be sought
• Drafting and delivering presentations
• Representing WOW at meetings, conferences, and events
• Other projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Environmental Science, Economics, Business, Electrical Engineering, Law or related field preferred
• Experience with state legislative processes, utility regulatory proceedings, environmental advocacy and ability to manage projects involving multiple parties
• Ability to evaluate and launch new ideas, cultivate support for them and successfully complete them
• Ability to flex as the organization evaluates new work directions, periodically completes strategic planning and organizes staff and members to meet new organizational needs and challenges and take advantage of new opportunities (e.g., energy storage)
• Self-motivated, strong organization skills, efficiency and persuasiveness in oral and written communications
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse political and policy stakeholders
• Ability to craft consensus positions among companies and organizations with competing interests and viewpoints; comfortable in meetings and facilitating conversations that may be contentious
• Proven ability to meet frequent deadlines and balance multiple tasks
• Experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Outlook
• Dedicated to advancing the cause of renewable energy

Compensation: Salary depends on qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health care coverage and flexible holidays.