Open Position: Renewable Energy Technical Director

JUNE 2023

Renewable Northwest seeks a highly motivated Renewable Energy Technical Director to represent the organization and support legislative, regulatory, and policy activities aimed at advancing the adoption of clean energy and energy storage. The Technical Director position can be remote or hybrid, but must be located within the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon, where the Renewable Northwest headquarters are located, or Seattle, WA. This position also requires occasional travel in the western United States.

ABOUT RENEWABLE NORTHWEST

Renewable Northwest is a regional nonprofit advocacy organization promoting the expansion of environmentally responsible new renewable resources such as wind, solar, storage, wave, and geothermal energy. Seen as a model by national allies, Renewable Northwest serves four Northwest states – Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho. Member organizations include leading renewable energy businesses, environmental organizations, consumer groups, and other renewable energy sector affiliates. Renewable Northwest offers a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding workplace where staff collaborates with members and allies to move the Northwest away from fossil fuels toward a clean energy future. In the past 25 years, Renewable Northwest has helped the region grow from 0 to over 10,000 megawatts of new renewable resources, building on the region’s hydropower legacy. Employees hold individual responsibility for respective focus areas but are well supported by fellow staff who collaborate closely across policy, regulatory, and industry sectors.

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION

Renewable Northwest values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position, including people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, people with lived experience, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Renewable Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as technical lead for the organization on matters ranging from capacity expansion modeling, to resource adequacy and reliability metrics and methodologies, to electricity market operations, to transmission planning and grid-enhancing technologies.
• Represent Renewable Northwest and support other Renewable Northwest staff in legislative, regulatory, and agency proceedings when technical issues arise, including preparing quantitative analyses and expert testimony as necessary.
• Evaluate utility integrated resource plans, including energy production cost and capacity expansion models and model results.
• Prepare high-impact technical reports and white papers as well as presentations to critical stakeholders and external audiences and will assist in the planning and delivery of outreach and engagement opportunities including workshops and conferences.
• Identify and supervise consultants as necessary to support Renewable Northwest’s technical work.
• Coordinate with member organizations and other allies to develop policy proposals and technology-based solutions to expand opportunities for clean energy infrastructure and investment.
• Develop trust and maintain relationships with decision-makers, the broader environmental community, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for a clean energy future.
• Degree in a relevant field with 4+ years of relevant work experience. Relevant work experience includes (but is not limited to) work in utility, policy, economics, electrical engineering, or government settings.
• Direct experience in energy system modeling (either generation or transmission) and reliability metrics. Work conducted as part of a graduate program qualifies.
• Knowledge and experience related to the planning and design of electricity infrastructure, including:Understanding of energy storage technologies, inverter-based energy generation technologies, transmission, and distribution systems.

Knowledge of how different resources contribute to resource adequacy.
Familiarity with the stakeholders, utilities, and regulatory bodies engaged in clean energy technology deployment and related policy implementation.

• Knowledge of energy policy and the utility regulatory process.
• Knowledge of of western electricity markets
• Significant technical interest in the areas of electricity infrastructure analysis, valuation, and regulatory approaches.
• Strong quantitative analysis and technical writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tactical projects while advancing cohesive overarching strategy.
• Ability to work rapidly, yet strategically, within tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
• Strong work ethic and positive approach to work, team, and alliances.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Apps (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Gmail).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Starting Annual Salary Range: $95,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience.

Renewable Northwest offers a very comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Complete coverage of medical, vision and dental premiums for employee and family members
• Generous paid time off policy and 11 paid holidays
• Paid family medical leave
• Paid day of service
• Flexible work schedule
• Employer contribution equal to 5% of salary to a SEP/IRA retirement account

TO APPLY

Submit the following materials in PDF format via email to: admin@renewablenw.org

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of three references (include: name, title, relationship to applicant, contact info)
• Writing sample, preferably relevant to the job description

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 3 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

Experience:

• renewable energy: 4 years (Required)
• renewable energy policy: 4 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote