Energy and Climate Policy Analyst
Dept: Legal
FLSA: Exempt
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: Hybrid (Oakland, CA)
About TURN:
TURN (The Utility Reform Network) is a non-profit advocacy organization committed to ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable utility services for all people living in California. We advocate for equitable policies that protect all consumers, while centering the needs of lower-income and BIpoc communities, through policy change, research, and grassroots organizing.
TURN believes in a society where clean power, phone, and broadband are treated as basic rights for all families.
Job Summary:
TURN seeks a policy analyst to join TURN’s Energy Team of high-impact regulatory policy advocates. A strong applicant communicates effectively (written and oral) with all levels throughout the organization and the public, is committed to economic and racial justice, is a proactive and creative problem solver, has a technical background in energy and economics/ finance/ engineering, including strong quantitative skills, and is committed to holding energy providers accountable, advancing clean energy, and promoting safe utility service at affordable rates.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
None
Duties/Responsibilities:
The Energy and Climate Policy Analyst will be required to
Review utility testimony and workpapers in California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) cases and draft information requests to utilities.
Prepare written testimony on behalf of TURN in CPUC cases and defend the testimony in response to cross-examination at CPUC evidentiary hearings.
Represent TURN at CPUC workshops.
Help develop other TURN filings at the CPUC, such as comments and briefs, in conjunction with TURN’s attorneys.
Analyze and recommend TURN’s position on relevant legislative proposals.
Work with other TURN staff members to develop positions on emerging issues in energy policy and ratemaking, and the advocacy of those positions before the CPUC, the state legislature, media outlets, and in other forums.
In conducting this work, the Energy and Climate Policy analyst may:
Analyze utility cost forecasts for utility operations and capital investments.
Evaluate utility marginal cost analyses for purposes of allocating costs between customer classes.
Perform bill impact analyses of alternative rate designs.
Develop policies and methods for evaluating the costs and benefits of distributed energy resource investments.
Perform avoided cost analyses and cost-effectiveness analyses of alternative utility programs.
Analyze utility risk assessment and risk mitigation models for purposes of recommending cost-effective programs to promote safe utility operation.
Analyze the reasonableness of past utility spending related to wildfire mitigation, gas safety, energization, and other projects for cost recovery from ratepayers.
Evaluate the role of the regulated utility in competitive markets such as solar energy and electric vehicles.
Evaluate consumer impacts of wholesale energy market designs.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Excellent Communicator: Communicates effectively (written and oral) with all levels throughout the organization and the public.
Socially Aware: Commitment to economic and racial justice.
Technical Familiarity with one or more of the following: (1) cost-benefit and present value financial analysis, (2) regression analysis and predictive modeling, (3) econometric, production cost or other types of simulation modeling, (4) economic analysis of utility investments, (5) regulatory accounting practices, (6) Tax law, (7) marginal cost methodologies, (8) risk assessment methodologies and statistical modeling. Candidate must have a strong command of using Excel-based models.
Active Teamwork: Demonstrates problem-solving, conflict resolution, and positive communication through teamwork and through working independently.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Advanced Excel/VBA Analysis: Proficiency in complex Excel modeling with VBA automation capabilities.
Programming Languages: Familiarity with Python, R, or similar language(s) for data analysis and modeling.
Experience with any of the following: utility financial models, demand forecasting, energy utility operations/engineering, equity/affordability metrics.
Reporting and Supervision:
Reports to the Managing Attorney and Assistant Managing Attorney
Education and Experience:
Education: Graduate degree in economics, energy resources, public policy, engineering, or related field.
Experience: Demonstrated understanding of the regulated natural gas and electric industry.
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
This is a full-time exempt position that may require occasional after-business hours work to meet legislative or regulatory deadlines.
Occasional requirements to appear at the CPUC for evidentiary hearings, technical workshops, or other meetings, or to attend TURN staff in-person events that may be outside of Oakland.
Salary Range for Position
$80,000 - $130,000 depending on experience
Why Join TURN
Influence fast-moving energy and climate change issues in a cutting-edge state
Work with a mission-driven, high-impact advocacy team
Competitive pay for non-profit sector and excellent benefits
Hybrid in-person/remote flexibility
Application Process:
Upload your application package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample in one file) or email it to hr@turn.org orchouston@turn.org
Subject line: Energy and Climate Policy Analyst – [Your Name]
Please contact chouston@turn.org to request accommodation for the application process if necessary.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only complete application packages will be reviewed
TURN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
