Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking candidates to join our Clean Energy team as the Deputy Director of State Advocacy. The Deputy Director of State Advocacy, Clean Energy will jointly lead WRA’s efforts to enact and implement state-level climate and clean energy policies in the Interior West in close coordination with the other Deputy Director of State Advocacy.  This position will have a particular focus on Arizona. One other state—either Nevada or New Mexico—will also be assigned within nine months of the candidate’s start date. The Deputy Director of State Advocacy will supervise state-level Clean Energy teams throughout WRA’s region.

About Western Resource Advocates 

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on-the- ground-work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position may work remotely in Arizona within commuting distance of Phoenix, in our Phoenix, AZ office, or a hybrid of the two. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

• Jointly with the other Deputy Director of State Advocacy, lead development of equitable policies in regulatory, legislative, and other policy forums that advance clean energy and reduce emissions from the power sector in the Interior West, with a focus on Arizona and one other state (Nevada or New Mexico).
• Monitor and synthesize relevant local, state, and federal policy developments.
• Keep abreast of emerging energy and climate topics to inform policy development, with an eye for equitable and inclusive policies and mechanisms.
• Represent WRA in a variety of external forums.
• Jointly with the other Deputy Director of State Advocacy, provide leadership and strategic direction to Clean Energy Program staff working on state-level utility regulation.

CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Track grant deliverables across multiple teams.
• Ensure that the program meets its goals and objectives.
• Ensure appropriate coordination and alignment across the region and across internal WRA departments.
• Assist in management of consultants.
• Ensure the Clean Energy Program’s policy work and internal operations and culture are consistent with WRA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.
• Provide collaborative thought partnership to the Clean Energy Director and the other Deputy Directors, including on emerging policy and regulatory issues.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with clean energy policymakers and leaders at state agencies, utilities, conservation groups, consumer interests, and other relevant stakeholders in Arizona and in other states as directed.
• Coordinate with WRA’s Marketing and Communications and Government Affairs teams to develop and execute winning communications and advocacy strategies that advance the work of the Clean Energy Program.

FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT

• Assist with development of grant proposals and reports to support the work of the Clean Energy Program.
• Help build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with major funders and prospects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Supervise state advocacy staff, and provide direction, guidance, professional development, and support to ensure state teams are highly functioning and impactful.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.  For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.    
• Proven record of advocacy leading to clean energy policy adoption by state legislatures, regulatory bodies, or state executive action.
• Experience creating and implementing strategic plans for state clean energy and emissions reductions advocacy. 
• A minimum of one year of supervisory experience, including a track record of successfully supervising multiple direct reports and teams with a mix of experience levels – from entry-level staff to senior-level professionals and experts. Comfort with supervising remote teams.
• Extensive knowledge of the utility sector and/or energy and climate policy.
• Intellectual curiosity, coupled with an innovative and entrepreneurial drive, comfortable with change. 
• Superior verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to open communication and collaboration.
• Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in economics, law, engineering, public policy or other relevant field.
• Existing relationships with Arizona electric utilities and/or policymakers.
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Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel to meetings, conferences, proceedings, and other work-related events is required within the relevant state and is likely to require attendance at meetings in the Phoenix metro area at least 1 day per week. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region.  This is approximately 10-15% of the time depending on the location of work.

Salary And Benefits 

The salary range is $119,000-$150,400 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, and twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Friday, March 14, 2025.

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/diversity-equity-inclusion/

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.

Apply To Be WRA’s Deputy Director of State Advocacy!

Thank you for your interest in the Deputy Director of State Advocacy position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter to the attention of Kimberly Bell, Human Resources Manager, describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in this position.
• Resume
• Writing Sample (up to 5 pages).

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.