Managing Policy Advisor, Virtual Power Plant & Rates Policy

Managing Policy Advisor, Virtual Power Plant & Rates Policy Washington, DC Job Details Full-time 8 hours ago Benefits Commuter assistance Health savings account AD&D insurance Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Flextime Adoption assistance Employee assistance program 401(k) matching Employee discount Benefits from day one Pet insurance Qualifications Stakeholder engagement Strategic management Economics Public policy development Law Government policy analysis Collaborating with government agencies Bachelor's degree in economics Master's degree Doctor of Law (JD) Bachelor's degree Public utility experience Legislation Bachelor's degree in political science Public affairs policy advocacy Senior level Cross-functional collaboration Communication skills Stakeholder relationship building Stakeholder management Political Science Full Job Description What to Expect Tesla is seeking a strategic policy expert to join the Energy Policy Team to guide nationwide efforts in unlocking the full value of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in support of Tesla's residential energy products. The Managing Policy Advisor will drive policy outcomes to grow the market for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), create retail opportunities for distributed grid services, implement favorable electricity tariffs, remove barriers for Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI), and facilitate integration of DER aggregations into wholesale electricity markets. This role may also involve leading additional energy policy efforts in targeted geographic areas of North America as needed. Collaboration with Tesla's commercial, product, engineering, and operations teams will be essential to advance policies aligned with company goals, alongside working with trade associations and stakeholders to strategize, align priorities, and ensure coverage of Tesla's business objectives. Preference for the position to be based in Palo Alto, California or Washington, D.C., but there is locational flexibility for the right candidate. What You'll Do Drive strategy in coordination with the business to evaluate and engage in regulatory, legislative, and market-level policy efforts to expand Tesla's VPP footprint, grow retail grid service offerings, and improve retail electric rates Lead advocacy within key RTO/ISO stakeholder processes to create, refine, and fix participation models for DER aggregations while working with state public utility commissions to harmonize retail tariffs with wholesale market participation Advocate for modern rate designs that incentivize DER dispatch when beneficial to the electric grid Engage with external stakeholders and develop coalitions to drive advocacy for energy priorities while building and deepening relationships with policymakers, commission staff, utility partners, and trade associations Represent Tesla through written and verbal comments at state agencies, regulatory proceedings, technical working groups, and public hearings Respond to the needs of Tesla leadership and internal business units by assisting in problem-solving issues related to market growth and entry What You'll Bring 6+ years of relevant work experience with energy policy, electric utilities, or utility regulation with preferred direct experience in DER aggregations Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Energy, Political Science, Economics, or Utility Business Models, or equivalent experience with a Master's, Juris Doctor, or other advanced degree preferred Deep knowledge of electric utility regulations, regional transmission system operations, utility resource planning processes, and interconnection rules Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex and technical policy points to a wide range of individuals Compensation and Benefits Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire: Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits Company paid Basic Life, AD&D Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period) Employee Assistance Program Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays Back-up childcare and parenting support resources Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs Tesla Babies program Commuter benefits Employee discounts and perks program Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.