Clean Energy Policy Fellow
To apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Jill Rusnak at rusnakj@michigan.gov
Apply to be an NYU Law Fellow MPSC Clean Energy Policy Fellow (Fellowship) Michigan
Public Service Commission: Clean Energy Policy Fellow (Fellowship)
Job Location: 7109 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing MI (Hybrid or Remote)
Salary: $75,000-$100,000 (DOE)
Closing Date: April 17, 2024
Job Summary:
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is hiring a clean energy policy fellow with experience or a background in clean energy policy and administrative law for a two-year fellowship. The mission of the MPSC is to serve the public by ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible energy and telecommunications services at reasonable rates. The MPSC is in the early phases of implementing new clean energy laws that were signed into law in November 2023 and have staggered implementation dates that begin in February 2024. The new laws include a new clean energy standard of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040, new statewide energy storage targets for compliance starting in 2029, new renewable energy and energy storage siting authority, and several other items related to renewable energy, distributed generation, energy efficiency, as well as some one-time studies to be completed. The Clean Energy Policy Fellow will be responsible for assisting the Commission in its review of initial implementation cases pertaining to new clean energy laws, developing summaries of positions of parties, and developing options for the Commission’s consideration. The Clean Energy Policy Fellow will also be responsible for assisting the Commission in its review of utility rate cases, transmission line or pipeline siting cases, and other cases that must be completed within statutory deadlines where clean energy policy is one consideration among others impacting the Commission’s decisions. The selected candidate will work with a team of advisors and attorneys to accomplish these responsibilities. This Clean Energy Policy Fellow position is a two-year fellowship position sponsored by the New York University School of Law State Energy & Environmental Impact Center (State Impact Center). The fellowship may be extended, contingent on program funding.
Why You Should Apply:
• Work closely with public utility commissioners on significant decisions
• Address novel and relatively untested areas of clean energy policy and law in Michigan
• Gain valuable experience in public utility administrative cases
• Competitive pay and benefits, and a desirable work-life balance
• Opportunity to serve the public and enrich the lives of people in the state of Michigan
Requirements:
• A Masters degree related to clean energy, environmental protection, public policy, or a J.D. from ABA-accredited law school; or current students pursuing those degrees will be considered on the condition of pausing or completing studies outside of core working hours of 8 am – 5 pm Monday-Friday
• A demonstrated interest in public service as well as clean energy, energy policy, environmental justice or public utility regulatory matters
• Must be willing to live and to work in Michigan
Desired Background:
• 1+ years of professional experience working on clean energy, energy policy, or public utility regulatory matters
• Demonstrated ability to work in small teams
• Demonstrated writing ability
• Strong attention to detail
• Self-starter and deadline driven
• Background in greenhouse gas reduction and environmental review This position will be funded by the New York University School of Law State Energy & Environmental Impact Center, and the NYU School of Law will pay the salary of the Fellow and provide employee benefits. Salary for this position will be based on experience and qualifications.
The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave. The candidate is also eligible to participate in a retirement plan. For information regarding benefits for this fellowship, please visit NYU’s website at:
https://www.nyu.edu/employees/...
For more information regarding the fellowship program, please visit NYU’s website at: https://stateimpactcenter.org/about/fellows-program/
Annual Salary Range $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 (DOE)
This position will primarily work in a remote environment, within Michigan, based upon the department’s business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. Occasional travel to Lansing, MI may be required.
Job Duties: • Research high-profile cases on varied topics to provide briefings for the Commission. • Evaluate case records, conduct technical and policy analysis to determine the adequacy of the case record to support various potential actions that could be taken by the Commission. • Review rulings on previous similar cases before the Commission and provides consolidated briefs to the Commissioners. • Coordinate efforts and activities of other MPSC Staff to ensure the Commission has the appropriate information and documentation for decisions. • Assess the social, economic, political, operational, environmental and organizational implications of existing and proposed policies and case decisions. • Conduct specialized studies relative to regulatory responsibilities in matters that come before the Commission. • Provide technical consultation to the Chair and Commissioners on procedural issues that are being vetted in formal case matters under consideration by the Commission. • Assist in case planning, procedural development and policy. • Provide the Chair and Commissioner’s views, input and directives to supervisors within the agency in order to provide direction to those supervisors on agency actions. • Interpret existing and proposed laws, policies, and procedures as they relate to public utilities. • Attend meeting and trainings as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Must be adaptable, flexible, and able to work independently to accomplish tasks in a time sensitive manner • Knowledge of state and federal laws impacting utility legislation • Able to handle adversarial interactions and negotiate reasonable solutions • Possess effective research techniques • Ability to plan and coordinate activities of a complex, interrelated, and interdependent nature, where unknowns and numerous contingency factors are involved • Ability to interpret existing and proposal laws, policies and procedures and how they relate to utility regulations • Ability to assess the social economic, political, operational, environmental, and organizational implications of existing and proposed legislative, policy and program decisions • Knowledge of ethical standards applicable to public employees. • Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving methods to systems and programs. • Ability to encourage teamwork through collaboration and communication. • Ability to manage significant volume of high exposure cases. • Ability to display courteous and professional behavior. • Ability to appropriately apply professional ethical rules in daily practice. • Ability to exercise good judgment in making strategic recommendations.
Pre-Employment Requirements: • Travel may be required for this position. The ability to travel to Lansing, MI for orientation activities and occasionally thereafter will be required.
• Applicants are required to submit a writing sample as a separate attachment along with their resume/application profile. The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive issue related to clean energy policy or public utility administrative law and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
Note: Please include a one-page cover letter describing your interest in and qualification for the position.
To apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Jill Rusnak at rusnakj@michigan.gov
Benefits: For information regarding benefits for this fellowship, please visit NYU’s website at: https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/professionalresearch-staff/benefits-guide-2024.html
Retirement: For information regarding benefits for this fellowship, please visit NYU’s website at: https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/professionalresearch-staff/benefits-guide-2024.html
Contact: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jill Rusnak at rusnakj@michigan.gov or 517-281-3506.
LARA is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids, services and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 7109 W. SAGINAW HIGHWAY • P.O. BOX 30221 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909 •www.michigan.gov/mpsc • 517-284-8100.