Senior Manager, Interconnection Policy

The Coalition for Community Solar Access (“CCSA”) is seeking qualified applicants for the role of Senior Manager of Interconnection Policy to work with the Senior Director of Interconnection & Grid Integration Policy and CCSA Regional Directors on CCSA’s regulatory efforts.

The Senior Manager will support CCSA by monitoring and engaging in state-level regulatory proceedings related to integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) – including distribution system interconnection, integrated grid planning, cost allocation, and grid modernization. You will work closely with the Senior Director of Interconnection and Grid Integration Policy on state-level regulatory affairs, including participating in workgroups, managing stakeholder coalitions, interfacing with policymakers, and submitting comments in proceedings before public utility commissions. The position will also work on research and analysis, strategic projects, and other duties as time allows. 

CCSA is a fast-paced, mission-driven, collegial, and fun work environment. The ideal candidate will share CCSA’s mission to expand access to solar for all and fit the fast paced and self-starting culture.

What You Will Be Doing: 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft and file comments in state public utilities commission proceedings, testify before state regulatory bodies, and/or deliver public comments on behalf of CCSA.
• Work with the Senior Director of Interconnection and Grid Integration Policy to support regulatory activities and ensure interventions align with CCSA campaign plans and meet organizational goals.
• Act as a thought partner for Regional Directors on interconnection and grid integration-related matters. 
• Assist in facilitating CCSA’s Grid Committee meetings and respond to member inquiries.
• Represent CCSA at in-person and virtual regulatory and stakeholder events.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders including allied industry organizations and NGOs to advance CCSA’s policy goals.
• Provide input into CCSA’s long-term planning efforts for new and existing markets.
• Execute research and analysis, strategic projects, and other duties as time allows.

QUALIFICATIONS

What You Bring to CCSA:

• Experience working on issues related to public utility regulation, regulatory affairs, analyzing agency-issued positions, and developing policy positions.
• Experience at the intersection of technology, utilities, and the grid with a focus on state policy and public utility regulation.
• Experience building and leading stakeholder coalitions.
• Ability to develop and drive policy positions that achieve market goals in state regulatory processes.
• Must be goal-motivated, adaptable, a strategic thinker, and a self-starter. 
• Excellent ability to speak publicly and write clearly, accurately, and persuasively.
• Ability to identify, build rapport, and maintain relationships with key energy policy stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently.
• Ability to multitask on projects across several jurisdictions simultaneously.
• Ability to efficiently manage CCSA member input within the organization’s Committee process; working alongside the CCSA Regional Directors and broader coalitions of stakeholders.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems with limited resources.
• Excellent people skills and an upbeat and enthusiastic attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 3+ years of work experience in energy regulatory affairs and/or policy advocacy.
• Familiarity with state-level utility regulation, preferably with a focus on solar or renewable energy.
• Some ability to travel will be required as necessary for participation in relevant regulatory dockets, annual staff meetings, and conferences. 

Bonus Experience: 

• Direct experience with: 
  • Distribution system generation interconnection processes
  • Integrated grid planning
  • Cost allocation
  • Grid modernization
  • Dispute resolution

Reports To:

Senior Director, Interconnection & Grid Integration Policy

The perks of working at CCSA:

• Base salary range is between $100,000-$120,000 with the opportunity to participate in an additional performance incentive plan. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge and skills of application and alignment with market data.
• This position also offers the opportunity for promotion and growth within CCSA.
• Comprehensive benefits include health insurance (90% premiums paid for employees and 75% premiums paid for dependents); 100% paid vision and dental insurance for employees and dependents.
• 3% retirement plan contribution
• Company sponsored short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Paid parental leave (eligible after 6 months of employment)
• 3 weeks paid vacation (during first year of employment) and 11 paid holidays
• Sabbatical policy
• Professional coaching opportunities
• A fun and collegial environment
• Weekly all-hands company meeting keeps you engaged and connected to the organization and your team members

Location:

• Remote - CCSA is a remote-first organization, Flexible worksite - e.g. home or shared workspace
• Preference may be given to candidates that are in close range to a major airport.

Applications Process: 

Please send a resume and writing sample to CCSA’s Senior Director of Interconnection & Grid Integration Policy, Samantha Weaver (careers@communitysolaraccess.org) with the email header “CCSA Senior Manager, Interconnection Policy – YOUR NAME”. 

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire.

CCSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Team Values

• Focus on Results. We have clear and ambitious goals that drive everything we do on a daily basis. Every day we ask ourselves the question: will the actions I take achieve results that get me closer to my goals? If the answer is yes, then we push forward. Setbacks happen and not everything is in our control, but we focus on what we can control and move toward our goals one victory at a time.
• Foster Dialogue. We debate ideas, not people. We take the energy of our differences and channel it toward something that has never been created before. The problems we tackle are colorful and complex. To drive to the right decision, we believe in respectfully and productively debating ideas and leaving our egos at the door.
• Put people first. We prioritize the well-being of our team and take the approach of the “whole person”. We believe that we bring our best selves to our professional lives when we are balanced and taking care of ourselves and each other.
• Inclusivity. We deeply value diversity of thought, background, and lived experience – and through this is where our most transformative, lasting innovation grows. As our industry expands, we are committed to actively bringing new people, businesses, and localities into the fold, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented.
• Member Service. We represent the collective voice of our members, who want to see community solar expand and grow. We provide a valuable service to our member community, keeping them up to date on our campaigns and policy initiatives, which helps them plan and grow their businesses. We also serve members by amplifying their collective voice to expand their impact in the market.

Mission and Core Principles

CCSA is a national Coalition of businesses and nonprofits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. Our mission is to empower every American energy consumer with the option to choose local, clean, and affordable community solar. We work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymakers to develop and implement policies and best practices that ensure community solar programs provide a win, win, win for all, starting with the customer.

CCSA’s Core Principles are a concise set of overarching principles that guide organizational vision, mission, core policies, and culture. CCSA’s elected Board is responsible for developing and maintaining the Core Principles, with at minimum, an annual audit. Process and decision making of Core Principles is done based on Board governance rules set out in the Bylaws of the organization.

• Opportunity: Open, expand, and protect competitive, sustainable community solar markets through comprehensive engagement in all aspects of community solar market design, enablement and innovation.
• Access: Allow all consumers the choice to participate in and receive a tangible economic benefit from new community solar assets, and ensure those economic benefits are communicated and realized in a clear, timely and transparent manner.
• Integrity: Guarantee community solar market rules create a safe, reliable marketplace for consumers to make informed choices for products that work for their needs.
• Value: Ensure project compensation is reflective of the full value of the locally-sited energy produced by community solar projects.
• Efficiency: Champion transparent, non-discriminatory, and evidence-based rules on siting and interconnection for expedient and fair community solar project development.