Policy Specialist, MISO

Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development•Minneapolis, MN

18h•$65,000 - $85,000•Remote

About The Position

The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions. With headquarters in Minnesota and operations nationwide, GPI focuses on energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions. The organization is growing due to increased demand for its services and is supported by respected philanthropies. GPI operates with core values of being trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative. This specific position is seeking a bright, motivated, and collaborative individual to lead engagement efforts within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). The role involves attending MISO meetings, building relationships with stakeholders, and providing support and advising to GPI's projects related to MISO rules and decisions. This position is part of a larger team working on engagement in the SPP, MISO, and PJM regions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or relevant proven skills and experience
2+ years of professional work experience in MISO or RTO engagement issues.
Existing relationships with parties active in MISO or RTO stakeholder engagement processes.
Experience working on a diverse team
Experience working with different communication styles
Self-motivated
Excellent time, deadline, project, and people management skills with ability to multi-task
Problem solving skills: ability to identify solutions to challenges that arise
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute

Nice To Haves

Frequent (i.e., monthly on average) travel to MISO meetings and related stakeholder meetings is required

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a strong, diverse network of MISO staff and stakeholders including states, NGOs, utilities, developments, consumer advocates, and large load customers.
Identify opportunities within MISO stakeholder processes for market reforms to increase investment in non-emitting generation resources and enabling technologies including transmission.
Shape development of regional transmission plans that analyze the impacts of public policies and goals and high penetrations of clean energy in the MISO region.
Support engagement to build consensus for processes needed to plan and permit interregional transmission, with specific focus on the MISO-SPP seam.
Advance GPI’s reputation and objectives via participation in collaborative stakeholder initiatives, public presentations, and panel participation as well as blog and research report publication.
Participate in MISO’s stakeholder processes on behalf of the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition as deemed appropriate and necessary by coalition members.
Participate in MISO’s stakeholder committees, including via both virtual and in-person meeting participation.
Collaborate and support other mission-aligned organizations and partners working in these RTO venues.
Provide support to the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition in partnership with other GPI staff including without limitation: Planning and convening monthly general coalition meetings, Planning and convening monthly policy committee meetings, Preparing briefs and education materials on current issues, Recruiting MISOCCC members.
Prepare and solicit input on public coalition comments to MISO and FERC.
Identify and recruit subject matter experts to present information in meetings to build the collective understanding of all participants and support robust, informed discussions, including for MISOCCC and other groups convened by GPI.
Participate in strategic planning activities at GPI, representing the MISO stakeholder engagement work.
Serve as a programmatic lead for GPI’s MISO stakeholder engagement work on a variety of energy system decarbonization projects.
Maintain working knowledge of current issues in MISO and of state and utility policies and plans in the MISO region to inform direct engagement in MISO stakeholder processes and GPI’s long-term strategy.
Maintain existing and develop new partnerships with organizations working in the energy system decarbonization space to enable GPI to partner with others where such a partnership would be of benefit.
Advance GPI’s programmatic work through collaboration with colleagues, in service to GPI’s mission and strategic plan.
Support the development of proposals to philanthropic funders to support the program’s transmission and wholesale electricity markets work.
Support regular reporting for grants and other project milestones.
Build relationships with current and potential funders for the program’s transmission and wholesale electricity markets work.
Assist with managing project budget and contracts.