Interconnection & Permitting Advisor
Job Description

Description

California’s oldest and largest clean energy business group is hiring a full-time Interconnection & Permitting Advisor. The goal of CALSSA’s Interconnection & Permitting Advisor is to accelerate the growth of solar and storage technologies by helping companies navigate utility and building department rules, remove barriers for solar and storage projects, and coordinate efforts that get at the root causes of high soft costs in California.  

The advisor will manage CALSSA’s member hotline, working through disputes on issues primarily related to permitting and interconnection. The position will respond to immediate needs of the CALSSA membership while seeking opportunities to lower soft costs across the board by eliminating root causes of unnecessary delays. 

The position will require the development of strong relationships with the top managers of utility interconnection departments as well as with local building officials in order to address immediate needs of the industry. The position will also require strong writing, communication, and organizing skills to occasionally represent distributed energy resource providers at the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and in other forums in order to advance the interests of the industry at-large.

This position reports to the Policy Director, and works closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, the Policy Committee, and various subcommittees.

Position Details

Project Support & Policy Development:

• Manage CALSSA’s Member Hotline

  • Become the organization’s top expert on the real world application of interconnection and permitting rules

  • Develop a solid understanding of net metering rules and other issues that come in through the hotline.

  • Assist member companies with complicated solar and storage projects that have run into snags with utilities, building departments, fire departments, or homeowner associations.

  • Produce factsheets, updates, and training materials.

  • Attend regional meetings.

  • Develop strategies for reducing soft costs for a thriving market.

• Support CALSSA’s work at the CPUC, CEC, and State Legislature.

  • Help track relevant regulatory and legislative activity related to permitting and interconnection issues.

  • Mobilize member companies to advance CALSSA positions.

  • Assist with regulatory filings and stakeholder meetings.Advocate for automated, streamlined permitting.

• Advocate for automated, streamlined permitting.

  • Work to ensure implementation of SB 379 (Wiener) mandating automated, streamlined, and standardized permitting for residential solar and storage systems throughout the state.

Public Mobilization

• Translate and communicate the importance of legislative and regulatory decisions to CALSSA membership, elected officials, and the media.

• Engage allies and work with coalition partners on key policy initiatives.

• Speak at conferences and public meetings.

Organizational Development

• Work with membership staff to recruit member companies.

• Help with fundraising efforts to support non-profit association.

• Attend team meetings, board meetings, organizational events, and strategy development retreats.

Compensation Package

Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience. 

Commitment & Location

Position is full-time and available immediately. A minimum two-year commitment is required. Preference for Sacramento or Bay Area based employees but open to other California locations. Some travel is required for this position.   

Experience

A strong candidate will be committed and willing to work hard in service of the growth of the California solar PV, solar thermal, and energy storage industry. They will have excellent communication and advocacy skills, an ability to work as part of a team, be well organized, and have a knowledge of or desire to quickly learn regulatory policy details related to the growth of distributed solar and storage in California. Solar project development and regulatory experience are a plus but not a prerequisite.

To Apply

Position is open immediately. Send a resume and cover letter to brad@calssa.org. Position will be held open until filled.

About CALSSA

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) has advanced the common interest of the solar and storage industry for over 40 years, making California the most robust market in the U.S. The association is the state’s largest clean energy business group with over 750 member companies representing an array of businesses that manufacture, design, install, finance, and provide other resources to the growing local solar thermal, photovoltaic, and storage markets in California.