Energy Trust of Oregon is looking for a Sr. Regulatory and Utility Relations Specialist to join our team. You will be instrumental in managing the projects, communications, and systems that enable our productive engagement with the Oregon Public Utility Commission and our funding utilities. This role serves as the primary day-to-day contact for utility and OPUC staff and coordinates collaboration across internal departments to resolve regulatory issues.
What You'll Do
- Manage relationship systems and processes for engagement with OPUC, PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, and Avista.
- Maintain active communication and meetings with OPUC and utilities to exchange information and discuss issues.
- Define and prioritize inquiries, needs, and concerns from regulatory partners; develop plans and recommendations for resolution.
- Communicate and negotiate with internal staff and external counterparts to address open issues and secure resources.
- Ensure productive interactions and responsive service to OPUC and utility liaisons.
- Manage complex, assigned projects related to regulatory and utility developments.
- Identify the relative priority of regulatory projects to inform senior management decisions.
- Utilize and enhance systems to provide internal visibility into open topics, joint projects, and inquiries.
- Monitor commitments for regulatory and utility deliverables, guiding staff resources to ensure completion.
- Manage the development and quality assurance of documented responses to custom OPUC or utility information requests.
- Synthesize relevant OPUC proceedings and utility plans for internal distribution.
- Share information on regulatory issues to inform internal discussions and leadership forums.
- Identify relevant utility and OPUC activities for Energy Trust participation; provide briefings and materials.
- Seek input from external stakeholders to inform decision-making and follow up on how input was incorporated.
- Research regulatory policy approaches for energy efficiency and renewable energy as directed; synthesize key takeaways.
- Apply knowledge of regulatory analysis, process, and utility business to strengthen communications.
- Communicate the benefits of Energy Trust work to stakeholders in new, meaningful ways.
- Create, adapt, and share documentation including plans, presentations, reports, and meeting notes for external parties.
- Participate in, summarize, and complete follow-ups for other stakeholder meetings as requested.
- Support other Communications and Customer Service group initiatives as assigned.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (program/project management, public policy, business, communications, etc.) or equivalent professional experience.
- 5 to 7 years of progressive experience using communications, project management, government relations, and relationship management skills.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with proven experience producing briefings and presentations.
- Experience hosting meetings with partners or funders to align on objectives and resolve concerns.
- Project planning skills, including the ability to prioritize, organize, and plan for effective delivery.
- Experience developing systems and processes to support tracking and information sharing.
- Skilled in interpersonal relationship development, collaboration, and problem-solving.
- Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner, as well as SharePoint and CRM software.
- Ability to respond to quick-turn tasks, meet deadlines, synthesize multiple inputs, and know when to seek senior advice.
- Ability to interact with a diverse workforce and work comfortably in culturally diverse settings.
- Ability to work alongside individuals and organizations with different and conflicting viewpoints.
Nice to Have
- Experience in regulatory agencies, regulatory policymaking, energy efficiency/renewable energy, utilities, or energy resource planning.
- Foundational understanding of energy efficiency and renewable customer programs within the broader energy policy landscape.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary internal project teams.
- Experience establishing and developing relationships with external stakeholders.
- Skills using data visualization to communicate a compelling story.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Planner
- SharePoint
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
Team & Environment
You will be a key contributor in Energy Trust’s Communications and Customer Service Group, directly supporting work led by the Senior Advisor and reporting to the Sr. Advisor – Regulatory Policy and Utility Relations.
Benefits & Compensation
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-sponsored and paid life/disability insurance
- 401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days
- TriMet pass
- Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
- Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick days
- Paid volunteer hours
- Employee assistance program
- Career advancement opportunities
- Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space in Portland, OR
- Work-from-home laptop provided
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position. The role is based in the Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA, and is open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington.
Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.
