Employment

Roger E. Koontz Fellowship in Law and Climate Policy

Acadia Center is seeking motivated law and policy students to apply for its Roger E. Koontz Fellowship in Law and Climate Policy. The Koontz Fellow will work with Acadia Center staff – policy experts, researchers, attorneys, and communications professionals– on projects that directly impact the organization’s work. Depending on the work, the Fellow may have the opportunity to meet with policymakers, attend public meetings, and engage in coalition interactions. Projects will be assigned based on skills and interests and could include the following:

• Clean Energy and Community Engagement: Scoping issues for legal and policy review related to community and stakeholder engagement in the anticipated expansion of the region’s clean energy projects, power grid, and transmission, such as a review of the adequacy of current permitting processes to seek and engage community-level input.
• Energy Regulatory System Reform: Researching legal issues and policy solutions on issues involving the need to reform approaches to regional power grid and state-level utility planning, financing, and governance so that it advances clean energy, climate, consumer, and energy justice goals.
• Building Energy and Energy Justice: Using legal analysis to advance organizational initiatives on energy efficiency and building decarbonization to understand better the connections between energy equity and environmental justice issues and develop policy recommendations for housing and transportation/mobility.
• Legislative/Statutory Analysis: For example, examining state laws to assess agencies’ existing authority to advance policies to cap GHG emissions and trade emissions allowances.
• Regulatory Intervention Support: In policy dockets, rate cases, and other adjudicated proceedings before Public Utilities Commissions (PUC), provide legal support for ongoing regulatory interventions through discovery, interrogatory requests, testimony drafting, and more.
• Energy contract and procurement legal analysis and advocacy: in regional settings, such as multi-state procurements for offshore wind, or regional procurements for public policy transmission upgrades, help Acadia Center dissect and understand provisions of RFPs, contracts, and ISO-NE tariffs filed before FERC for their impact on costs, reliability, emissions reductions, equity, and beyond.

The position will also provide the opportunity to gain exposure to and understanding of climate and clean energy issues by drafting public comments, policy memos, or explanatory outreach materials, attending webinars, coalition meetings, and meeting with government officials and other stakeholder groups.

Key Qualifications

• A strong interest in environmental, energy, or climate law and policy.
• An interest in the application of data, consumer, health, and equity analyses to law and policy.
• Interest in the role of energy efficiency and other clean energy programs, public policy, community, state, and regional engagement, electric and gas utilities, buildings, and transportation energy use.
• Self-guided literature research, legal/docket research, conducting interviews, and preparing summaries.
• Knowledge of social media and digital media best practices is helpful.
• JD is preferred, MPP/MPA candidates are welcome to apply as well if they possess relevant legal experience.

The Koontz Fellow position is fully remote, though there may be possibilities for in-person connections near Acadia Center staff locations in Rockport, ME; Boston, MA; Providence, RI; Hartford, CT; and New York City. The fellowship is expected to run full-time for 8-10 weeks in June, July, and August and can be structured as full or flex time. Acadia Center will provide a stipend of $8,000-$13,000 (full-time level) depending on factors such as educational level, background experience, and schedule. Applicants are encouraged to seek support from other school or work support programs, such as those offered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Honoring Roger E. Koontz, Esq. (1940-2021)

Roger Koontz had an illustrious career as one of New England’s leading energy attorneys. Born in a small town in rural Illinois, Roger attended a one-room schoolhouse, winning a National Merit Scholarship and graduating with a BS in chemistry from the University of Illinois. He obtained his JD at Yale Law School, beginning his career at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association before moving to Connecticut Legal Services, where he served as Executive Director. His strong interest in environment and energy issues led him to staff the Conservation Law Foundation’s Connecticut office and form the firm Silverstone & Koontz with his friend and public interest attorney, David Silverstone, in Hartford for 17 years. Later, as counsel to Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn, Roger represented nonprofit organizations and small power producers on energy and utility issues. In 2001, Roger came out of retirement to assist Acadia Center, then Environment Northeast/ENE, in its efforts to stop an attempt by Enron Corporation to transfer over 100 million dollars from two new, publicly funded state clean energy funds into a project owned wholly by an Enron subsidiary. Roger’s legal skills helped defeat the project, a startling blow to one of the nation’s most powerful corporations. Roger worked with Acadia Center for the next decade as Senior Counsel, where he left his mark on a wide range of clean energy and regulatory reform precedents. Roger was a beloved mentor and friend to numerous staff. We are grateful for his work and presence in our organization.

To Apply

Current law and policy students with an interest in environmental, climate, or energy law and policy are invited to apply.

To apply, click here and submit the following materials by March 31:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing areas of interest
• Brief writing sample

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Acadia Center’s energy efficiency and buildings work draws from two decades of successful leadership creating and expanding energy efficiency and building decarbonization policies and programs in the northeast. In the coming years, the Director, Energy Efficiency and Building Decarbonization, will help expand the reach of efficiency programs and related policies so they maximize achievement of climate, equity, health, building electrification, energy justice and decarbonization priorities. The organization seeks an individual to join the team and bring a track record of deep experience and expertise on energy efficiency and the sector’s evolution, ideally with a focus on the Northeast region. Specifically, the Director should bring a background on: 1) energy efficiency as a low cost energy resource for utilities, energy markets, and the grid at large; and 2) energy efficiency as a tool for accelerating building decarbonization and reducing emissions from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The Director will lead our work to bring these policies into what we refer to as the Next Generation of Energy Efficiency and Building Decarbonization.

Position

The Director, Energy Efficiency and Building Decarbonization, will play a leadership role managing and coordinating program goals, outreach, analytic and policy work. Acadia Center supports a creative and team-oriented culture, and this position will work with the CEO, program staff, our data and analysis team, and staff responsible for communications, development and environmental justice. The position will:

• Coordinate a regionally focused strategic plan to develop and advance the program’s goals and support our team’s efforts to advance policy opportunities and priorities related to energy efficiency and building decarbonization, at both a state and regional level
• Identify data and information needs to advance energy efficiency, electrification, weatherization, and ending use of fossil fuels in a manner that addresses energy justice
• Apply analytic and technical skills to identify and prepare data-driven information that informs policy recommendations/advocacy and serves as a bridge between technical experts and community activists
• Serve as a thought-leader in influencing the direction and evolution of energy efficiency programs, as well as the functioning and structure of stakeholder energy efficiency boards/councils
• Represent the organization in external proceedings, including before public utility commissions (PUC), state energy offices, energy efficiency boards, and environmental agencies, as well as with media
• Conduct engagement and build consensus with a diverse array of organizations and voices, including but not limited to peer environmental advocacy organizations and environmental justice organizations
• Draft public comments and outreach documents, and communicate policy issues with media, the public, donors, and foundations
• Stay apprised of policy best practices and technology trends within the energy efficiency and building decarbonization space

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess significant experience in all these categories, but we understand and expect that some candidates will have more in-depth experience in particular areas than others.

• Experience in designing and/or evaluating state-level energy efficiency and electrification policies
• Familiarity with specific policy concepts such as acquiring energy efficiency as a competitive, low-cost energy resource
• Deep knowledge of building sector decarbonization challenges and best practices
• Technical proficiency on electrification issues, energy efficiency program design, implementation, and evaluation, benefit-cost analysis, and building science, including for residential, commercial and industrial, and other customer categories.
• A sense of ambition and urgency to address the climate crisis in a manner that will spur economic, consumer, public health and environmental justice benefits for all
• 6+ years’ relevant work experience in a consultancy, public agency, utility, NGO or other relevant setting
• Facility with communicating highly technical information to non-technical audiences to best meet policy, advocacy and community needs
• Ability to identify, shape, and frame compelling communications about our projects and why they matter for use in external reports and development materials
• Experience working in a team structure, coordinating staff to achieve goals, and managing projects to support team operations and execute on common goals and strategies
• Strong interpersonal skills and interest in engaging with staff and diverse external parties
• Experience and enthusiasm for building coalitions and diverse external relationships and engaging in complex conversations about racial, socioeconomic, language-based, health and economic disparities
• Existing network of professionals within state, regional, and national energy efficiency and building decarbonization spaces preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant master or professional degree preferred

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The expected compensation range is up to $105,000 – $120,000. Benefits include health care, dental, retirement, disability, and vacation. Final title and salary will be dependent upon the candidate’s level of experience.

To Apply

To apply, click here and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter of interest
• Resume
• Two professional references
• A sample demonstrating your writing and communication skills

Position

Anyone excited about applying sound research and analysis to tackle large scale climate, clean energy and energy justice challenges would be drawn to this position. The Energy and Climate Policy Analyst will research and prepare reports and analyses to support Acadia Center priorities to accelerate, shape and implement energy, energy justice and climate reforms that achieve a climate safe future. Acadia Center’s theory of change prioritizes developing credible information to inform recommendations, reframe debates and build support for change. Candidates should be excited by opportunities for using data to inform public policy and enjoy exploring creative ways to communicate their findings to broad audiences. Projects include work on buildings, energy system and transportation efficiency and electrification; benefits from multi-state and inter-regional climate and energy policy coordination; energy burden; and rapid response to external disinformation campaigns. The position will present research and policy recommendations to stakeholders and policymakers in a variety of forums. Reports to: Director of Climate and Energy Analysis.

Responsibilities

• Research and prepare analytical materials that support Acadia Center’s program priorities and projects
• Evaluate and present greenhouse gas reduction strategies, including economic analysis
• Prepare Acadia Center research publications and advocacy materials
• Leverage writing skills to communicate complex, technical concepts to a wide range of stakeholders (general public, politicians, state agency staff, peer advocacy organizations, internal staff, etc.)
• Prepare analyses documenting lost benefits from regressive energy policies and assist with Rapid Response to climate and energy disinformation
• Examine the impact of climate reforms across diverse populations
• Work within Acadia Center’s analysis team to report on state and regional greenhouse gas emissions levels, policy implementation progress, energy market trends, energy justice issues and other items
• Influence strategic planning on key program work

Key Qualifications

The Energy and Climate Policy Analyst should have exceptional quantitative analytic skills, high proficiency in technical work such as the ability to use or critique models; and an interest in communicating complex information to decision-makers, media and general audiences. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in energy and environmental issues, a passion for climate action, energy justice and consumer impacts, and be comfortable working cooperatively in a team structure while handling independent assignments. The candidate will also be proactive, interested in contributing input or developing ideas for new projects. An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred, but consideration will be given to all exceptional candidates who have an interest in sustainable environmental and economic policies. Skills valuable for the position include:

• Quantitative and analytic experience in energy, climate, affordability, transportation and buildings
• Familiarity with greenhouse gas accounting and energy system modeling is a plus
• Proven ability to clearly communicate technical energy concepts to a wide range of stakeholders, both in writing and verbally, strongly preferred
• Familiarity with a programming language is an asset
• General data processing and organizing, plus ability to conduct literature reviews on new topics
• Must be organized, pro-active and able to multi-task, prioritize tasks and manage time accordingly
• A willingness to take initiative and learn new tasks
• Flexibility to work outside of job description parameters, when needed
• Enthusiasm for Acadia Center’s mission and approach to equitable climate solutions
• Reports to the Senior Director, Climate and Energy Analysis; proficiency with Microsoft Office is expected

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position, though requests for flexible or part-time schedules will be considered. Acadia Center currently operates under a remote work policy that may be revised, and travel within the region is expected. While location is flexible, proximity to Acadia Center offices (CT, MA, ME, RI) and key forums is necessary.

Depending on qualifications and experience, this position may be filled at one of two levels:

• Analyst: $66,000–$86,000
• Senior Analyst: $84,800–$106,000

Compensation is based on factors such as education, work experience, field knowledge, and skillset. For salaried employees, benefits include healthcare, dental, retirement, disability, and vacation.

To Apply

To apply, click here and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter of interest
• Resume
• Two professional references
• A sample demonstrating your writing and communication skills

Key Responsibilities

The Director, Foundation and Major Gifts, will plays an essential role in working with the president, program and development staff to strengthen and expand foundation networks and major gift development. The position will update the organization’s development plan and strategies and have a lead role in shaping materials and outreach efforts. The position will have the opportunity to help establish a professional fundraising and donor relations function, which will require managing relationships with Acadia Center’s current, long- standing donors and funders, as well as driving efforts to broaden Acadia Center’s donor base. The Director will coordinate the organization’s foundation interactions and prospecting efforts to expand foundation support. This is an exciting opportunity to advance a highly rated organization that routinely is characterized as “punching above its weight” and is poised for growth. This position will report directly to the President/CEO. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and growing foundation partnerships
• Work closely with Acadia Center program and communication experts to construct grant proposals, and highlight the value of the organization’s work in driving a clean energy transition
• Updating Acadia Center’s Development Plan and execute strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new and existing foundations and major donors
• Strategically use donor database and create systems to improve contact with existing and prospective foundations and donors
• Help prepare the President or other staff and board members for foundation and donor meetings
• Develop Strategic Concepts for Foundation Reports and Materials
• Assist with annual development goal setting and track progress towards those goals
• Assist with events that have potential for fundraising or donor contacts
• Manage the fundraising schedule of the President.
• Manage a foundation associate and interns as appropriate.

Key Qualifications

• Experience in grant writing, communications, or public affairs
• A track record of securing major (6-7 figure) grants or donations
• Demonstrated ability to develop proposals clearly and compellingly
• Experience in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Demonstrated ability to creatively uncover new opportunities to build and maintain a robust pipeline
• Familiarity with climate and clean energy fundraising is desirable
• The ability to thrive in a collaborative, team environment and work independently.
• Outstanding communication and highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to be persuasive in both written and verbal communications.
• Strong networking, presentation, and relationship-building expertise

Compensation

This position can be structured as a full-time, exempt salaried role or as a consultancy/advisory contractual arrangement. Part-time, full-time, and flexible schedules will be considered. Acadia Center currently has a remote work policy that may be subject to revision.

The title for this role will be determined based on experience and qualifications, and the compensation range is $105,000–$150,000, depending on factors such as experience, field knowledge, and skillset. For exempt salaried employees, benefits include healthcare, dental, retirement, disability, and PTO.

To Apply

To apply, click here and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter of interest
• Resume
• Two professional references
• A sample demonstrating your writing and communication skills

Key Responsibilities

This role involves:

• Strategic Planning: shaping and overseeing a comprehensive work plan for utility innovation and energy system reform objectives.
• Program Leadership: coordinating and leading a team engaged in multiple cutting-edge projects seeking to align long-term utility and energy system planning and investments with climate, clean energy, and equity goals, to advance business models, rates and incentives that support customer electrification and demand side resources and alleviate high energy burdens for low- and moderate-income (LMI) ratepayers.
• Coordinating with Clean Grid and Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Programs: while the position will primarily focus on distribution system/PUC-level engagement and electric utility regulation, it will also be charged with aligning with Acadia Center’s transmission-system/RTO-level policy advocacy and work on gas utility reform/future of gas issues as part of the organization’s fossil fuel phase-out work.
• The Director will represent the organization in external proceedings and discussions on utility innovation and grid reform matters, staying current with utility regulatory policy and technology trends, advise the Senior Director, Climate and Clean Energy Programs and President, and program staff. The position will present technical information to decision-makers, media, and public audiences and help the organization respond to rapid analysis needs. This position reports directly to the Senior Director, Climate and Clean Energy Programs.
• Shape and manage a strategic workplan for utility innovation and energy system objectives and projects that support policy priorities and coordinate with related power grid and fossil gas systems
• Coordinate and lead staff on project workstreams, milestones and schedules for external engagement
• Develop and execute legislative and regulatory engagement strategies
• Apply the organization’s goals on equity, climate justice and public health to all program workstreams, including technology accessibility, procedural equity, and distribution of costs and benefits
• Represent the organization in external proceedings and discussions on utility innovation and grid modernization matters
• Seek public engagement opportunities and develop external facing explanatory materials
• Play an active role with management and development teams in seeking program resources
• Stay apprised of utility regulatory policy and technology trends and advise the Senior Director, Climate and Clean Energy Programs, and CEO

Illustrative matters and topics the Director will be involved in include: utility ratemaking/cost-recovery; integrated distribution system planning; integrated electric-gas planning; electricity rate design; performance-based ratemaking (PBR); utility rate-case and grid modernization plan filings; PUC mandate reform; Future of Gas proceedings; Non-Wire and Non-Pipeline Alternatives (NWA and NPAs); energy burden and consumer affordability; intervenor compensation; wholesale/distribution-level coordination; and beyond.

Key Qualifications

• A strong interest in energy, climate, and utility issues and ambition and urgency to address the climate crisis in a manner that will spur economic, consumer, public health and environmental justice benefits.
• Excitement connecting with decision makers, communities, public speaking, writing, and media.
• 5-7+ years of experience in advancing work in regulatory and legislative arenas, such as nonprofit, government, utility, industry/clean energy, or other perspectives.
• A J.D. or advanced degree is preferred, but other relevant experience will be equally considered.
• Familiarity with the policies, processes, and venues in the northeast U.S. is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to and fluency with regulatory debates surrounding electric and gas utility regulation and business models
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills
• Enthusiasm to engage with a diverse array of organizations, communities and represent the organization in a professional and respectful manner.
• Experience in environmental, energy issues and energy equity/climate justice is highly valued.
• Comfort using data to inform advocacy.
• The ability to work both independently and with teams, implement and prioritize program goals developed by team leadership and seek direction when needed.
• Facility with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is expected.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position, though requests for flexible schedules will be considered, along with the possibility of a 1099/contractor arrangement. Acadia Center currently has a remote work policy that may be subject to revision. While different locations can be considered, accessibility to state offices (CT, MA, ME, RI) is required, and travel within the region is expected.

Acadia Center offers competitive compensation aligned with peer nonprofit organizations, with salary based on experience and skill level. Depending on qualifications, this position may be filled at one of two levels:

• Senior Manager: $84,800–$106,000
• Director: $105,000–$120,000

Compensation is based on factors such as education, work experience, field knowledge, and skillset. For exempt salaried employees, benefits include healthcare, dental, retirement, disability, and PTO.

To Apply

To apply, click here and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter of interest
• Resume
• Two professional references
• A sample demonstrating your writing and communication skills

Position

For 25 years, Acadia Center has been developing and advocating for climate solutions at the state, community and regional levels that benefit and are accessible to all residents and communities. With the successful enactment of aggressive climate and clean energy goals, community-based voices are essential to implementing climate and clean energy goals in ways that ensure equitable community benefits and directly aid those communities that have suffered the most from a fossil fuel economy.

The Climate and Energy Justice Policy Associate will strengthen Acadia Center’s efforts in a wide array of forums, including legislative, government agency, community-based, and public engagement and with numerous partner organizations and coalitions. The position will have a central role coordinating and connecting Acadia Center’s policy work with communities and community-based organizations across the region, with a focus on specific program needs in Connecticut and other priority locations. Current policy priorities include climate and clean energy decarbonization pathways and implementation, improving the quality of housing, phasing out fossil fuels, improving planning in the grid, and addressing energy burdens from all fuels.

The Climate and Energy Justice Policy Associate will develop and conduct community outreach plans and strategies, prepare externally focused policy and educational materials, participate in drafting materials for legislative and regulatory policy reforms, and translate energy system issues into relevant outreach materials. The position will represent Acadia Center in coalitions and networks, before selected state agencies and boards and potentially before legislative bodies. The work will include identifying ways Acadia Center’s data and analytic capacity can support community-oriented goals. Work with coalitions and media are also important aspects of the position. The position will likely include work on regional (multi-state) initiatives as well, allowing for a focus on climate and energy justice topics across the northeast region. Acadia Center employs a team approach to its work and the position will interact with program staff including advocates and policy researchers and provide critical content and coordination with communications and development staff. The position will initially coordinate closely with the president, Senior Director of Climate and Clean Energy Programs and will report to the Director, State Implementation.

Key Qualifications

• A strong interest in energy and climate issues and ambition and urgency to address the climate crisis in a manner that will spur economic, consumer, public health and environmental justice benefits.
• Experience in environmental justice issues and outreach to EJ communities and voices
• Interest and skills in communicating the importance of energy and climate issues to consumer, public health, community and affordability
• Excitement connecting with decision makers, communities, public speaking, writing, and media
• Interest in advancing work in regulatory and legislative actions
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills
• Enthusiasm to engage with a diverse array of organizations, communities and represent the organization in a professional and respectful manner
• Experience in environmental, energy issues and energy justice is highly valued
• Comfort using data to inform our advocacy
• Organized and able to prioritize multiple projects and seek direction when needed
• Familiarity with and presence in Connecticut is strongly preferred
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) familiarity expected

Compensation

This position is available as a full-time, exempt, salaried role. However, Acadia Center is open to considering part-time or flexible schedules, as well as the possibility of a 1099/contractor arrangement. Acadia Center has a remote work policy that may be subject to revision, and the role requires the ability to travel.

For an Associate-level hire, the compensation range is $60,000–$80,000, depending on factors such as education, relevant work experience, field knowledge, and skillset. Benefits for salaried employees include healthcare, dental, retirement, disability, and PTO. A Connecticut location is preferred.

To Apply

To apply, click here and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter of interest
• Resume
• Two professional references
• A sample demonstrating your writing and communication skills