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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Energy Policy Analyst

💰 $75,000 - $130,000

Policy & RegulationEnergy & UtilitiesResearch & Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

We're looking for a passionate and intellectually curious Energy Policy Analyst to become a key player on our dynamic team. You will be at the forefront of the energy transition, tasked with dissecting complex regulatory frameworks, evaluating legislative proposals, and understanding the intricate dynamics of energy markets. Your research and analysis will not just inform but directly influence our strategic decisions, advocacy efforts, and long-term business planning. This is an opportunity to apply your analytical prowess to real-world challenges and contribute to shaping a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Policy Intern or Fellow
  • Research Assistant (Academic or Think Tank)
  • Junior Analyst (Finance, Economics, or Consulting)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Energy Policy Analyst
  • Manager, Policy & Regulatory Affairs
  • Director of Government Affairs or Strategy

Lateral Moves:

  • Energy Market Analyst
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Corporate Strategy Analyst (Energy Sector)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Monitor, research, and analyze federal, state, and local energy-related legislation and regulatory proceedings to determine their potential impact on the company's operations, investments, and strategic objectives.
  • Develop comprehensive written comments, formal testimony, and advocacy materials for submission in regulatory dockets, legislative hearings, and other public forums.
  • Conduct sophisticated quantitative and qualitative analyses of energy market trends, pricing, resource adequacy, and the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources.
  • Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and compelling briefing materials, presentations, and reports for senior leadership and executive teams to support strategic decision-making.
  • Model the financial and economic impacts of proposed policies, carbon pricing mechanisms, and market rule changes on company assets and future projects.
  • Represent the company and articulate its policy positions in meetings with policymakers, regulatory staff, industry associations, and other external stakeholders.
  • Track and interpret developments from key regulatory bodies such as FERC, EPA, state Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), and Independent System Operators (ISOs/RTOs).
  • Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, engineering, business development, and communications, to develop cohesive and data-driven policy strategies.
  • Author in-depth white papers, research reports, and internal memos on emerging energy topics like grid modernization, energy storage, electrification, and decarbonization pathways.
  • Build and maintain complex spreadsheets and databases to track policy developments, stakeholder positions, and key market data across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Evaluate the policy and regulatory risks and opportunities associated with new market entry, asset acquisition, and technology deployment.
  • Serve as an internal subject matter expert on specific energy policy areas, providing guidance and education to colleagues across the organization.
  • Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with key individuals in government agencies, legislative offices, and peer organizations.
  • Support the development of the company's long-term strategic plan by providing forward-looking analysis of the evolving policy landscape.
  • Analyze utility rate cases, integrated resource plans (IRPs), and grid interconnection queue processes to identify trends and inform company strategy.
  • Translate highly technical regulatory and legislative language into clear business implications and actionable recommendations.
  • Participate in and contribute to industry association working groups and committees to shape collective advocacy efforts.
  • Manage external consultants and research partners to augment internal analytical capabilities and deliver on key project milestones.
  • Identify and research best practices in energy policy from other jurisdictions and assess their applicability to the company's operating regions.
  • Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding the company's policy positions and the broader energy policy environment with accuracy and timeliness.
  • Support the compliance team by providing expert interpretation of new and existing energy regulations to ensure adherence.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer pressing business and policy questions.
  • Contribute to the organization's thought leadership by drafting articles, blog posts, and content for public dissemination.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, engineering, and business development, to provide policy insights and support strategic initiatives.
  • Engage in project management activities, tracking policy developments and reporting on project milestones to internal stakeholders.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis: Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, perform economic and statistical analysis, and draw well-supported conclusions.
  • Regulatory Research & Interpretation: Deep understanding of how to navigate regulatory dockets, read legal/policy documents, and interpret their meaning for business.
  • Energy Market Knowledge: Strong familiarity with wholesale electricity markets (capacity, energy, and ancillary services), utility business models, and grid operations.
  • Economic & Financial Modeling: Proficiency in building and manipulating complex spreadsheet models to assess the financial impact of different policy and market scenarios.
  • Data Visualization: Skill in using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python/R libraries to create clear and impactful charts, graphs, and dashboards that communicate analytical findings.
  • Policy Writing: Exceptional ability to write clearly and persuasively for a variety of audiences, from technical comments for a regulatory filing to high-level summaries for executives.

Soft Skills

  • Written & Verbal Communication: Ability to distill and articulate complex topics with clarity, precision, and confidence to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to identifying problems, evaluating alternative solutions, and making sound recommendations.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Adept at building relationships, understanding diverse perspectives, and tactfully advocating for a position to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Strategic Thinking: The capacity to see the bigger picture, anticipate future trends, and connect policy developments to long-term business strategy.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment and can manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing data, citing sources, and ensuring the accuracy of all analytical work products.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree, PhD, or J.D.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Public Policy
  • Economics
  • Environmental Science or Management
  • Political Science
  • Engineering
  • Law
  • Business Administration (MBA)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector or a related policy field.

Preferred: Direct experience working within a utility, an independent power producer, a government agency (e.g., FERC, PUC, DOE), an ISO/RTO, an energy-focused consulting firm, or a relevant non-profit/advocacy organization is highly desirable.

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