State Energy Strategy Project Lead (MA5)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

9d•Remote

About The Position

At the Department of Commerce, we are reimagining government by being builders, thinkers, and change-makers working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. We aim to unlock critical funding, fuel inclusive economic growth, and turn big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places. Our agency's strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact. This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you. Let’s build what’s next, together. The Energy Division (Energy) leads Washington’s transition to a clean, affordable, and equitable energy future by providing statewide energy policy leadership, guiding investments, and advancing initiatives that serve all communities. This position works within the Energy Policy team of the Energy Division. This position is the project lead responsible for supporting the development of the next State Energy Strategy in accordance with RCW 42.21F.088 and RCW 42.21F.090. The State Energy Strategy is published every eight years, delivered to the Governor and the Legislature, and provides Washington’s roadmap for meeting climate and clean energy goals while prioritizing reliability and affordability. It is relied upon by legislators, state agencies, utilities, advocates, and many others as the state’s foundational planning document. The position will manage the analysis, drafting, public engagement process, advisory committee coordination, and other guidance supporting the final publication of the State Energy Strategy, working with complex datasets across diverse energy topics and collaborating with state executives, subject matter experts, industry sectors, utilities, labor unions, tribal nations, elected officials, interested parties and stakeholders. View the 2021 Washington State Energy Strategy: Washington State Energy Strategy – Washington State Department of Commerce This project position is expected to be funded for a minimum duration of 18 months with a possibility of extending to 24 months.

Requirements

Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
A minimum of five years of technical experience in two or more of the following areas: Conducting research, Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations, Leading large, multi-stakeholder processes and projects, Analyzing and using complex data sets of varied sources and wide-ranging topics, Writing and/or presenting concise analytical findings using compelling graphical and narrative communication.
Experience with statistical analysis, performance assessment, and results measures.
Experience developing data management strategies, processes, and tools.
Experience creating dashboards and interactive tools to display data and results.
Ability to analyze and interpret data, perform trend analysis, and communicate conclusions.
Skill in presenting data in a variety of ways to best display the meaning and implications of the data.
Ability to engage diverse stakeholders and translate input into recommendations.
Knowledge of state agency processes including policy development and planning or similar processes.
Ability to communicate clearly with diverse groups, including senior level management, elected officials, subject matter experts, and other interested parties.
Intermediate skill level for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Visio, and database software.
Ability to connect detailed analyses to big picture strategy.
Excellent time management, ability to work independently.
Education involves energy policy, public policy, environmental science, business administration or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in energy policy, public policy, environmental science, business administration or related field.
Experience with GHG emissions accounting, modeling and tracking tools.
Experience with software and web-based tools for analytics and data visualization including Tableau, Power BI, and/or Socrata.
Experience collaborating directly with tribal, rural, underrepresented communities and organizations.
Project management certification (PMP).

Responsibilities

Manage the production of the next Washington State Energy Strategy in accordance with RCW 43.21F.088.
Manage key research efforts and conducts analysis of technological developments, state and federal legislation, and regulations, including managing and overseeing the work of a contracted energy modeling firm.
Lead collaboration with diverse groups including state agency representatives, subject matter experts, contracted consultants, utilities, and others to support research and analytical efforts.
Establish and oversee process and methodology for complex data collection and performance analytics, in support of SES initiatives and overall program coordination.
Consult with diverse groups of executive management, interagency representatives, and subject matter experts to develop metrics, analysis and reporting tools.
Coordinate with agency teams and leaders as part of report review and finalization process, including ensuring communications and accessibility standards and review deadlines are met.
Develop recommendations to ensure that tribes, rural communities and low-income households are partners and benefactors in our state’s clean energy transition.
Facilitate 25-person State Energy Strategy Advisory Committee in accordance with RCW 43.21F.090, and any technical advisory groups.
Develop, lead and implement public involvement and tribal engagement process including briefings, hearings, public comment periods, and other engagement forums.
Coordinate with Office of Tribal Relations, engagement teams, and others to develop and implement plans to solicit additional feedback on report development and content.
Develop and implement outreach to involve young people and youth-led organizations in the development of report content and outreach plans and activities.
Oversee the production of communications resources to be used in dissemination of findings, including data visualizations and dashboards, to effectively communicate results to senior leadership, policy makers, and the public.
Present research findings, recommendations and draft report to executive level decision-makers, elected officials, and others in a variety of formats and settings.
Provide recommendations regarding how to communicate research results and findings.
Collaborate with Energy Division and agency legislative staff regarding dissemination of key findings to legislators and/or use of findings to inform legislative development.