Position Title:

Policy Manager, Tennessee Valley

Position Category:

Full-time Regular

DOL SOCS Code:

11-1021 Managers

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Hours:

M – F

9:00 – 5:00 (CST or ET)

Salary Grade:

$70,000-$85,000

Classification Category

First-Level Management

Travel:

Travel for SSDN as needed throughout the Southeast.

Location:

100% remote position. Candidates must be located in the Tennessee Valley Authority territory, preferably in Tennessee, or relocating to Tennessee. Reliable, high-speed connectivity (phone/internet) and professional workspace (e.g., home office or other quiet, clean space) required.

Benefits:

Robust benefits package, including 100% employer covered health, dental, vision insurance, and life insurance; flexible leave policy; 401(k) program; and IT stipend to cover internet and phone use, computer, software, and other home office supplies. Additional optional disability and/or life insurance policy enrollment also available.

Title Position Reports To:

Policy Director

Title(s) Position Directly Supervises:

n/a

About SSDN

About SSDN: The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is a collaborative community that develops solutions to the South's unique sustainability and resilience challenges. SSDN's membership is open to local governments working in all stages of sustainability and resilience implementation from these ten southeastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. SSDN brings the sustainability and resilience staff from those member communities together to build knowledge and learn from colleagues in other areas to scale, accelerate, and implement best practices so that our region's communities are equipped to adapt to and mitigate climate change. For more information please visit www.southeastsdn.org (http://www.southeastsdn.org).

SSDN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Description

General Description:

This position will prioritize work in Tennessee (TN) and other areas that are served by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and includes serving as SSDN's liaison to local governments, partners, TVA, and Local Power Companies. This position manages policy analysis, education and capacity building, facilitating member and partner calls, and supporting engagement efforts. As a collaborative work group, the Policy Program team members also support general policy work and other state specific work as needed. There are also intersections with SSDN's broader Team, and it's expected that this position will actively coordinate and communicate with other Program team members as needed. For example, collaborating with Federal Program team members when there is overlap between state-based policies or agency actions that impact federal programs and funding implementation.

Responsibilities:

SSDN Policy Program Support:

Support the Policy Program team (including the Policy Director, other Policy Managers, and consultants) with the tracking of bills and activities, and other stakeholder proceedings and communicate relevant information to members;
Stay abreast of policy activities in the Tennessee Valley that could affect members' work and goals;

With support from the team, lead ongoing landscape assessments of energy and climate policy and programs set by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the evaluation of opportunities to engage, and implementation of the prioritized opportunities;

Work collaboratively with SSDN Policy Program staff, consultants, partners, and other SSDN team members to support the SSDN-led capacity building schedule and programming for all members to enhance their knowledge about state policy and/or other elements related to policy that will increase their awareness and engagement;
With support from the Policy Director and SSDN leadership, self-direct in the creation, editing, and QA/QC of written documents, presentation materials, and other work products to support member education and engagement;
Regular check in calls with the Policy Program team and consultants;
Track activities, metrics, and support the Policy Program team in the evaluation progress and potential program pivots;
Collect and track activities for funder reports and for continuous program improvement;
Support funding efforts as requested (e.g., participate in calls with funders); and
Other duties as requested.

State Policy Calls, Work Plans, and Communications:

Work with members and the SSDN Policy Program team and consultants to develop and implement work plans to advance members' priority policy areas through the Public Service Commission, utility engagement, and other forums, such as:
- Access to renewable energy;
- Data access;
- Energy efficiency programs;
- Resilience efforts;
- Distributed energy resources, including storage;
- Transportation electrification and fleet transitions; and
- Other issues that may arise.
Assist the Policy Program team and consultants in organizing and preparing for successful membership engagement for calls and activities; including the development of materials, sample language, and other resources with support and direction from the Policy Director;
Coordinate and implement calls each month for SSDN members in the Tennessee Valley focused on peer learning, priority alignment areas, and identifying action opportunities across the Valley.
Maintain records of meetings and coordinate member access of meeting notes and recordings, resources, and opportunities for education for members;
Research topics related to the scope, including data collection tasks related to specific policy and programmatic areas, gathering info on activities of partners, utilities, etc.;

Develop and implement an annual work plan for work to support local governments in the Valley and support the development of the Policy Program team's collective annual work plan;
Support coordination of any Valley-wide policy-focused in-person meetings; and
Other duties as requested.

Support Local Government Engagement and External Partnerships:

Serve as the primary SSDN liaison to Tennessee Valley Authority Staff, TVA Board, and Local Power Companies and work collaboratively and in partnership to provide input on local government needs, goals, and opportunities to support sustainability and resilience goals;
- Manage ongoing virtual and in-person meetings with these key stakeholders and SSDN members
- Attend and represent SSDN at TVA Board Meetings
- Serve as a spokesperson for SSDN at in - person and virtual meetings with key stakeholders
Plan and participate in regular calls with SSDN's team and other partners, taking a lead on those across the Valley, including agenda development, planning, taking notes, and identifying next steps and opportunities for SSDN partner engagement;
Engage in partnership development efforts for new and existing partners;
Collaborate with the Membership Engagement Team to engage new Valley communities to introduce them to SSDN and encourage them to join and participate;
Support the development of relationships and engagement with state agencies, including in partnership with the Federal Funding Program and its goals to elevate greater access to resources;
Support additional capacity building opportunities for members that align with the goals and work of the Policy Program as well as other SSDN initiatives; and
Other duties as requested.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required of the Successful Employee:

Thorough understanding of local governments and sustainability and/or climate change issues, especially in the Southeastern U.S.
Demonstrated initiative and motivation.
High level of integrity and professionalism, with an ability to manage confidential information and maintain discretion, diplomacy, and courtesy in all contacts.
Experience working in state energy policy and/or with the public power sector

Time Management – Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Decision-Making – Executes sound, logical judgement in various situations.
Relationship Building –
- Ability to work proactively, both independently and collaboratively with a team, using virtual connectivity platforms.
- Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support SSDN's commitment to Inclusion and Equity.

Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Analytical –
- Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
- Excellent research capabilities.

Communication – Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal.
Technology –
- Proficiency with Gmail and Google Drive, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
- Familiarity with Asana

Minimum Education Required:

Bachelor's Degree

Relevant Degree(s):

Public Policy, Law, Urban Planning, Geography, Sustainability

Minimum Experience Required:

3-5 years, full-time professional experience demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills and project management abilities.

3+ years of proficiency with Zoom and other meeting facilitation tools; Experience with Gmail, Google Drive, Word, Power Point, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years experience with sustainability issues, particularly understanding of the role of local government.

Financial Responsibility:

Compliance with SSDN's financial procedures.

Impact on Results:

Support for SSDN's Policy Team will positively impact SSDN and ensure continued trust from members and partners and supporters.

Interactions:

Contacts are broad and significant both within and outside of the institution. Requires ability to interact with all staff levels in a fast-paced environment, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Information Access:

Position regularly engages in high-level conversations and activities. Responsible for maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and discretion.

Work Environment:

Work is performed within a routine office environment with no exposure to hazardous conditions. Physical demands are usually limited to sitting or standing, and may require some stooping, lifting or carrying objects of lightweight.

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Policy Manager, Tennessee Valley