Legislative & Regulatory Program Manager

Lead SMUD's relationship building, analysis, strategy, and influence in all levels of government, legislative, and regulatory arenas related to, and consistent with, SMUD's overall business strategy, directives and goals; serves as a primary point of contact within SMUD for local, state and federal government agencies; advises executive management on government activities, trends, policies, legislation, regulations, and anticipated actions.

This is a multiple position, non-civil service classification that represents SMUD in local, state, and federal government settings and organizations. Positions organize and manage SMUD teams typically consisting of staff and external consultants, assume leadership roles within SMUD and in associated industry forums and committees, and develop and implement strategies often consisting of interrelated factors of legislative and regulatory energy policy analysis. Classification may supervise and is differentiated from the Government Affairs Representative class series in its independence, level of influence and technical expertise.

• Leads the analysis and development of positions of SMUD with respect to state and federal energy policy issues.
• Researches and analyzes draft legislation and proposed regulations or industry standards affecting SMUD; monitors and advises SMUD management and project teams of trends and developments including changes in the law, administrative decisions, and judicial decisions related to SMUD operations.
• Organizes and manages SMUD teams including internal staff and/or contract consultants to accomplish SMUD's legislative, regulatory, outreach and/or compliance objectives; plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and reviews the work product of internal staff, external consultants, and trade groups of which SMUD is a member engaged in the analysis, revision, and drafting of legislation, regulations, and/or industry standards.
• Directs and develops advocacy initiatives supporting SMUD's legislative and regulatory policy objectives; represents SMUD before legislative, regulatory, and industry audiences; provides leadership, guidance, and direction on all matters of federal and state legislation affecting SMUD.
• Remains current on and knowledgeable of regulatory filings at state (e.g. CEC, CARB, and CPUC) and federal (e.g. FERC, NERC, and WECC) jurisdictions as assigned; provides regular briefings to SMUD management.
• Conducts and supervises analysis of state or federal legislative, administrative, and/or regulatory actions that affect energy supply, program financing, and other relevant issues ensuring that SMUD's strategic goals and objectives are met.
• Assumes proactive leadership role(s) within trade organizations of which SMUD is a member to ensure, among other results, effective communication and incorporation of SMUD positions into legislative and regulatory policy objectives of such organizations.
• Assists and advises Executive Management in the development and implementation of policy advocacy content and strategies to coordinate consistent messages to external audiences; advises the Board on political ramifications of SMUD's positions and/or actions.
• Acts as program manager/team lead in the coordination of SMUD activities and services developing projects to translate and implement regulatory requirements and policy goals; seeks alternative solutions to difficult problems; coordinates with inter-departmental teams and management to ensure appropriate treatment and a positive outcome with local and regional government agencies consistent with SMUD policies and interests.

• Monitors, interprets and communicates to SMUD management community, political and industry patterns and governmental trends; understands the political implications of situations and events; analyzes community and market changes and/or community or industry development s to determine new business and partnership and identifies opportunities for positive partnerships with government agencies.
• Provides direction and training to subordinates for completion of assigned tasks; plans, coordinates, prioritizes, evaluates and adjusts work functions, practices, and schedules as necessary; monitors daily operations; coaches, provides performance feedback, identifies and addresses staff development needs; provides recommendations to management on staffing, staff training, development, and discipline actions; ensures staff safety and implementation of safety policies and practices in the work unit and environment.
• Negotiates MOUs of inter-agency agreement related to right of ways for municipal services, new development, regional prioritization, joint planning and joint benefits for community projects; negotiates terms and conditions associated with customer financial, technical and energy services from both SMUD and customer perspective; reviews and recommends partnerships, sponsorships, contracts and other written commitments.
• Partners with local governments, regional public agencies and policy-focused external organizations and assumes responsibility for performing strategic analysis of how our partners needs match SMUD priorities, energy service options, industry and community trends; coordinates communications between business, governmental organizations and SMUD departments, management, executive management, and Board of Directors.
• Performs related duties as required. Regularly travels for business.

• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in Political Science, Communication, Public Relations, Engineering, Business Administration, Law, or related field.

• At least seven (7+) years of progressively responsible and directly-related work experience in government relations at the local, state and/or federal level, or within electric utility industry dealing with regulatory agencies, power markets, or related utility operations in a government affairs capacity.
  
  

Federal energy policy; Legislation and regulation analysis techniques and principals; advocacy techniques and theory; CEC, CARB, CPUC, FERC, NERC, and WECC and other industry regulations; local, state and federal organizational structures; federal and state laws and regulations related to supervisory practices and employee rights; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing and controlling work activities of others; techniques related to customer relations; public sector, customer, business and ethnic outreach strategies; marketing strategies and tactics; political policy, including working with a board of directors; leadership principals and techniques; public presentations and presentation tactics; principles, practices and procedures for managing projects; principles and practices for budget administration; contract negotiation and administration; procedures and practices for cost control and project scheduling; safety policies, practices and procedures; appropriate equipment and tools including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Write at an advanced level for executive-level communications within SMUD and particularly outside of SMUD with relevant executive, legislative, and regulatory branches of state or federal government; communicate tactfully and effectively through interpersonal and verbal communications with diverse and competing audiences; maintain and develop extensive portfolio of highly complex legislative and/or regulatory issues; facilitate and organize broad-base support for multiple high-profile state and federal legislative initiatives; manage and lead work teams within context of incomplete information, time constraints, and multiple goals; present effective presentations within SMUD including those to Board of Directors; represent SMUD in public hearings particularly legislative and regulatory bodies; facilitate and coach participation by other SMUD representatives before legislative and regulatory bodies; recruit, select, hire, supervise and evaluate employees; plan, organize, direct, control, and review the work of others; identify, assess and coordinate training needs for staff; market and promote SMUD programs; build rapport with people having different communication styles, education, cultures, histories and social backgrounds; explain and adhere to regulations, procedures and/or activities internally/externally associated with the SMUD's goals; interact with others to influence and motivate; perform effectively under stress & public scrutiny; and utilize systems and software (including spreadsheets, databases, presentations and word processing) relevant to the job.

• Significant experience working with regional and local agencies on matters affecting the utility industry and SMUD, including climate and the environment, zoning and development, utility services and rights of way, and other regulation and policy.
• Knowledge of and experience with regional and local agency land use, development, CEQA and related processes and decision making, particularly in the area of clean energy initiatives and utility projects.
• Familiarity with regional and local agency personnel in key positions at cities within the Sacramento region, Sacramento County and other regional and local agencies as appropriate.
• Familiarity with industry associations such as the California Municipal Utility Association, SACOG, SacRT and SMAQMD, and others as appropriate.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of interests, including investor owned and publicly owned utilities, regional and local government, community organizations, and businesses, to advocate outcomes before regional and local agencies.

Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a California state or federal lobbyist as required by the position.