Senior Associate, Equity Policy

Fresh Energy•St. Paul, MN

5d•$58,000 - $64,000

About The Position

The Senior Associate, Equity Policy supports Fresh Energy’s policy and advocacy efforts to advance an equitable, clean energy economy, with a focus on legislative and regulatory processes and outcomes as well as internal culture. The role helps develop and advocate for policies, strategies, and initiatives that further Fresh Energy’s mission to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies, focusing on inclusive collaboration, equity in access and outcomes, addressing disparities, and living the organization’s values. The Senior Associate supports staff in integrating equity into the organization, its partnerships, and the clean energy transition. As Chair of Fresh Energy’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Senior Associate supports the organization’s Commitment to Equity, models its Core Values, practices its Guiding Principles, and contributes to a culture where equity is reflected in work inside and beyond the office. The position works closely with the Chief Equity Policy Officer to identify, develop, and advance legislative and regulatory opportunities, including advocacy before the Minnesota State Legislature and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. It analyzes policy proposals, proceedings, legislative changes, and potential approaches, translating findings into recommendations and strategies. The role also communicates equity policy priorities through external materials and activities, builds relationships and coalitions with community and other stakeholders, and helps broaden participation in policy work. The Senior Associate chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, co-stewards the Commitment to Equity with the Chief Equity Policy Officer, and coordinates with the Operations team and Chief Equity Policy Officer to develop, maintain, and administer DEI onboarding for new employees.

Requirements

Three or more years of relevant professional experience.
Experience meeting annual targets.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Ability to plan and implement work with a high level of independence.
High emotional intelligence.
Strong communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to engage diplomatically and work strategically with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and skillsets.
Ability to apply diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts and practices in internal organizational work and external policy and advocacy settings.
Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to lead inclusive discussions, navigate challenging conversations, and help groups move toward shared understanding and action.

Responsibilities

Work with the Chief Equity Policy Officer to identify, develop, and advance legislative and regulatory opportunities that support Fresh Energy’s equity policy and programmatic priorities.
Conduct legislative, legal, regulatory, and financial analysis of policy proposals, regulatory proceedings, legislative changes, and potential policy approaches, and turn the analysis into recommendations and strategies.
Advocate before the Minnesota State Legislature and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Communicate equity policy priorities and programmatic work through white papers, reports, regulatory filings, blog posts, webinars, earned media, and speaking engagements, coordinating with the Chief Equity Policy Officer and Communications Department.
Develop and maintain relationships with community, environmental justice, consumer protection, and other equitable energy policy stakeholders.
Build new coalitions, strengthen existing coalitions around shared equity-focused priorities, and provide policy analysis, content, and subject-matter expertise to advance shared goals.
Identify opportunities to broaden participation in Fresh Energy’s policy work and build relationships with organizations, communities, and partners whose perspectives and expertise can strengthen equity-focused priorities.
Chair Fresh Energy’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and facilitate its work to advance the organization’s equity priorities.
Co-steward Fresh Energy’s Commitment to Equity with the Chief Equity Policy Officer, keeping it current, communicating it effectively, and ensuring it is understood and reflected in organizational work, annual targets, and five-year goals.
Coordinate with the Operations team and Chief Equity Policy Officer to develop, maintain, and administer DEI onboarding for new employees.