Tribal Clean Energy Specialist (EMS2)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Commerce is seeking a Tribal Clean Energy Specialist to advance state energy and climate policy by working directly with tribal communities and tribal governments across Washington. This role focuses on fostering collaborative relationships, supporting clean energy solutions, and ensuring tribal perspectives are integral to policy development. The position serves as a statewide convener, bringing together tribal leaders, legislators, state and local agency experts, advocacy organizations, and businesses. The subject area is clean energy initiatives for tribal communities, emphasizing partnership, technical assistance, education, and capacity-building, while honoring tribal sovereignty and leadership and aligning with state climate goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in economics, public/business administration, public policy, or a closely related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum five years of experience in public policy, energy policy, or climate policy.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including communicating energy and climate issues to non-technical audiences.
Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
Sensitivity to public attitudes and concerns.
High-level facilitative, collaborative, and marketing skills.
Knowledge of the regulatory and economic environment in Washington.
Demonstrated experience working within tribal governments and political environments, including understanding of tribal consultation processes, the legislative process, influencing resource continuation, and policy development.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or other related professional certifications.
Demonstrated ability to take broad public policy conceptual ideas and bring them into practical applications with minimal guidance.
Demonstrated strategic planning experience.
Strong communications skills, including mastery with English grammar, and production of communication deliverables using software such as Word and PowerPoint.
Experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector.
Solid knowledge of clean energy project development processes and technologies.
Experience working for, or in partnership with, organizations based in environmental or climate justice and/or experience collaborating with historically marginalized communities, tribes and low-income populations.
Experience facilitating diverse stakeholder groups, including state and federal governmental agencies, city and county governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, and citizens.
Demonstrated ability to comply with ethics laws and standards.
Capable of making critical recommendations and decisions affecting statewide economic and community development policy.
Strong analytic skills.
Successful project management experience.
Technical knowledge and aptitude of state legislative and budgeting processes.

Responsibilities

Develop legislative, policy and program initiatives to advance energy, climate, and equity objectives, aligning with the State Energy Strategy.
Engage stakeholders in tribal organizations, government, industry, advocacy, and research institutions to identify policy options and barriers.
Develop, recommend, and implement policy options that increase racial equity, improve economic justice, support economic development, and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Prepare testimony, reports, presentations, and other communications materials to advance understanding of tribal interests in state energy and climate policies.
Provide technical and policy expertise for agency grant programs, working with external stakeholders in program design and outreach.
Provide analytical and policy support to other statewide initiatives within the Energy Division and the agency.
Coordinate with the Commerce Office of Tribal Relations, Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, and other state agencies to ensure consistency in tribal relations.
Develop and maintain recommendations, examples, and best practices for intergovernmental agreements and consultation between tribes and utilities, local governments, and energy developers.
Serve as the lead and resource for other staff on tribal energy matters and assist them in engaging with tribal officials and citizens.