Regulatory & Policy Associate

Zanskar•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources in order to make geothermal a cheap and vital contributor to a carbon-free electrical grid. The Regulatory & Policy Associate will help drive Zanskar's legislative and regulatory strategy across key states, championing our mission and building the relationships that open doors for our commercial growth. This role sits at the intersection of political strategy and execution, policy and regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement — owning active workstreams across administrative and legislative priorities while serving as a credible external voice for Zanskar in agency proceedings and policy forums. This is a high-ownership, high-impact role on a small and fast-moving team. The Regulatory & Policy Associate will work closely with internal teams across permitting, resource, finance, and development to ensure policy advancements are understood and acted on, while independently managing relationships with agency officials, legislators, industry peers, and trade groups. Success in this role means Zanskar is never caught off guard — and is always actively influencing the policy environment rather than reacting to it.

Requirements

At least 3–5 years in government, public policy, or regulatory affairs at the federal or state level.
Prior experience as a legislative staffer, agency official, or in a role directly shaping policy outcomes.
Stays current on energy policy, regulatory developments, and industry trends, translating that knowledge into strategic guidance for leadership and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to build policy positions from the ground up — drafting legislative frameworks, comment letters, and testimony, and engaging directly with decision-makers to advance them.
Tracks changes in laws, rulemakings, and regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions and assesses their business impact clearly and proactively, without waiting to be asked.
Builds trust across a wide range of relationships — agency officials, legislators, industry peers, internal teams — and leverages those relationships to drive real results.
Understands that good energy policy doesn't belong to one party, and is equally comfortable building relationships and advancing priorities across the aisle.
Produces clear, compelling work across formats — policy memos, comment letters, and briefings.
Energized by the challenge of decarbonizing the energy system and sees geothermal as a critical and underutilized part of the solution. Eager to help shape the policy environment that enables its growth.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred

Responsibilities

Assume primary ownership of key states in an active state portfolio, managing regulatory filings, rulemaking proceedings, and comment letters.
Establish yourself as a trusted point of contact with key agency officials, legislators, and industry stakeholders in your assigned states.
Develop and begin advancing legislative frameworks for a set of priority policy objectives.
Engage with industry peers and trade groups to build coalitions and align on shared policy positions.