Policy Associate Temporary Role

mcelligott's tralee ltd.; San Rafael, Concord (CA, CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MCE is seeking a Policy Associate to support regulatory and legislative advocacy under the VP of Policy. The role focuses on policy analysis, regulatory compliance, project management, and stakeholder engagement across state and federal efforts.

The six-month temporary position involves day-to-day policy tasks, engagement tracking, strategy development, and coordination with internal and external partners to advance MCE’s policy positions.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, public policy, environmental science, political science, environmental justice, or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience and one (1) year of analytical or advocacy work, preferably for a public utility or public not-for-profit/regulatory agency.

Responsibilities

• Develop policy analyses and recommended positions for issues affecting MCE and CCAs.
• Assist with and/or manage a regulatory proceeding caseload; draft responses, coordinate with CCAs/external counsel, and communicate with staff.
• Draft Advice Letters for CPUC as required; lead or support next steps.
• Assist with regulatory compliance at CPUC, CEC, and other bodies.
• Monitor and assist with communications from stakeholders.
• Prepare talking points for Policy team meetings with legislators/regulators.
• Build and maintain relationships with key policy stakeholders.
• Maintain project management tools for the Policy team.
• Manage and maintain a database of regulatory and legislative contacts.
• Maintain annual bill tracking spreadsheet.

Skills

Policy analysis

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Analytical skills

Detail-oriented

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental policy/public policy/environmental science/political science

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Suite

Job description

About MCE

At MCE, we tackle the climate crisis with a shared commitment to innovation, community, and equity. Together, we foster an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible work environment where creativity thrives, work-life balance is prioritized, and every voice is valued.

MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in our communities since 2010. We provide more renewable power at stable rates, and deliver cutting-edge energy programs to residents and businesses across four Bay Area counties: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano. Our team, drawn from all walks of life, embodies a shared passion for environmental stewardship and community service. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals innovating and collaborating to make our communities more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable.

MCE is in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in San Rafael and Concord. Employees have the option to work remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office, depending on the role responsibilities and any in-person meeting requirements. I am happy to provide more details if needed.

We value a range of experience. Even if you feel that you do not meet all of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Summary

Under the general direction of the VP of Policy, thePolicyAssociatewillmanage a regulatory proceeding caseload and provide support for MCE’s state and federal legislative advocacy.

The PolicyAssociatesupports MCE’s regulatory and legislative advocacy through activities including policy analysis, regulatorycompliance,project management, andinternal and external stakeholder engagement.

The Associate will help the Policy team with day-to-day tasks, regulatory and engagement tracking, policy analysis and strategy, project management, regulatory compliance, and assist with coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders.

This is a temporary six-month position.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop policyanalysesandrecommendedpositions for key issues affecting MCE and CCAs from a results-oriented perspective.
• Assistwith and/ormanage a regulatory proceeding caseload, including drafting.responses and comments, coordinating with other CCAs and/or external counsel, and communicating with regulatory agency staff.
• In collaboration with other MCE departments, draft Advice Letters as required by the CPUC, and either lead or support associated with next steps and follow-up.
• Assistwith regulatory compliance at CPUC, CEC, and other regulatorybodies.
• Monitorandassistwithcommunications from MCE’sinternal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare talking points for Policy team meetings with legislators and regulators.
• Build andmaintainrelationships with key policy stakeholders.
• Build andmaintainproject management tools for the Policy team.
• Manage andmaintaina database of regulatory and legislative contacts.
• Maintainan annual bill tracking spreadsheet.

Estimated Breakdown of Time Spent on Various Work Areas

• Regulatory and Legislative Tasks90%
• Other10%

Minimum Qualifications - Policy Associate

Education & Experience

A bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, public policy, environmental science, political science, environmental justice, or other closely related field. Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience and one (1) year of analytical or advocacy work, preferably for a public utility, or other public not-for-profit agency, or regulatory agency.

Knowledge of:

• Community Choice Aggregation and the California electric sector is preferred.
• California energy and environmentalissues generally, includingenvironmental justice and other equity concerns.
• Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Adobe suite.

Ability to:

• Utilize project management skills to coordinate among stakeholders, agency staff, and others to advance MCE’s policy positions.
• Manage multiple priorities and quickly adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Be thorough and detail-oriented.
• Take responsibility and work independently.
• Communicate effectively in written and verbal form.
• Establish andmaintaineffective working relationships withpersonsencounteredduring the performance of duties.
• Demonstrate patience, tact, courtesy, and the highest levels of accountability, integrity, judgment, and confidentiality.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills

MCE Culture

At MCE, we are committed to fostering a workplace rooted in equity, inclusion, and belonging. As part of this effort, we’ve included a few optional questions to help us better understand your background, experiences, and how we can create a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.

MCE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MCE Work Environment

MCE offices support an environment that is accessible to those with reduced mobility. We are happy to provide more details if asked.

MCE makes reasonable accommodations of any known physical or intellectual limitations for qualified applicants with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, and other conditions protected by applicable law.