America’s energy demands are growing—driven by electrification, technological advancement, and the increasing impacts of extreme weather. Meeting this moment requires the collaboration of policymakers, energy providers, utilities, tribes, advocates and communities to achieve a more resilient grid that can withstand today’s challenges and meet tomorrow’s demands.
Gridworks supports this collaboration with deep expertise and trusted facilitation. Focused on the Western U.S., we help partners share knowledge, navigate complexity, and reach informed decisions aimed at modernizing America’s aging power grid. From rural communities with outdated energy infrastructure to households facing blackouts due to heat, wildfires, and extreme weather events, the people most affected by today’s grid challenges are central to our mission.
Job Description
We are currently searching for two energy policy analysts to support our growing team. Each job will include analysis and project management responsibilities primarily in support of Gridworks’ projects in either the Pacific Northwest or California/Hawaii, and some West-wide work.
Responsibilities
Support Gridworks projects by performing core project management tasks, including: maintaining project participant lists; coordinating meeting prep with speakers and participants; supporting preparation of meeting materials; gathering and distributing meeting materials; hosting and managing virtual meeting logistics; taking meeting notes and preparing meeting summaries; tracking action items to ensure follow-through; managing a project schedule (including proactive communication of anticipated schedule changes); and managing website content.
Continuously build subject matter expertise and confidence engaging with energy issues by conducting technical research and analysis, tracking current issues relevant to your projects, and presenting findings within Gridworks and to project partners. Areas of focus depend on project assignments. They may include: integrated resource planning, long-term gas system planning, electric system resiliency, emerging technologies, transmission system planning and development, regional energy markets, wildfire mitigation, and community and Tribal benefit and engagement planning.
Collaborate with project leads in developing key project deliverables. This includes developing and writing: project work plans, schedules, literature reviews, meeting materials, meeting summaries, reports, communication plans, and newsletters.
Participate in project meetings and provide feedback on what went well and what could be done differently.
Build strong working relationships with project partners and Gridworks team.
Proactively manage your time and energy across multiple projects simultaneously. Actively communicate progress on and challenges to completion of deliverables in advance and work in partnership with the project lead to develop a path forward.
Provide weekly project updates to Gridworks staff and Executive Director.
Support Gridworks organizational practices in areas such as project management and external communications.
Facilitate internal meetings and potentially some external conversations.
Professional qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of professional or lived experience
3-5 years of additional professional, educational, and/or or lived experience, including at least 2 years working in the energy industry (in any jurisdiction)
Required knowledge, skills, qualities, and attributes
Knowledge of Western state regulatory affairs and energy policy landscape.
Experience developing expertise in a new issue area, including the ability to articulate your personal learning style as well as proactively and independently engage with new material to develop subject matter expertise.
Ability to interpret and communicate technical energy and policy information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, think critically about the intended audiences, and create visuals to aid in understanding of complex topics, with direction from Gridworks Directors or Executive Director.
Ability to independently manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and differing subject matter, including strong organizational skills and proficiency in project management tactics and best practices.
Must be self-motivated and demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm for continuous learning, and creative problem-solving. Must be team-oriented with a collaborative mindset, openness to changing course, and willingness to receive feedback.
Knowledge of environmental/social justice issues, frameworks, and principles; as well as a commitment to contributing to Gridworks’ diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
Ability to travel to in-person meetings and staff retreats.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.), and online meeting platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx).