Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Associate, Utility Ratemaking - Carbon-Free Electricity Program
at RMI
🏢 About RMI
RMI is a global nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms energy systems through rigorous research, consulting, and collaboration, with a bold mission to cut global carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Unlike traditional environmental groups, RMI works directly with utilities, regulators, and businesses to design practical, market-based solutions, making it a unique place for changemakers who want to decarbonize electricity at scale. Employees are drawn to its entrepreneurial, impact-driven culture and the chance to work alongside leading experts in the clean energy transition.
About This Role
As a Senior Associate in the Carbon-Free Electricity Program, you will analyze utility rate cases, develop regulatory strategies, and engage with stakeholders to advance clean energy solutions. You'll work at the intersection of technical modeling, policy analysis, and advocacy, helping utilities and regulators adopt rate designs that support decarbonization and equity. This role is pivotal in RMI's mission to accelerate the electricity transition, as you directly influence how utilities price and deliver power.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing a utility's rate case filing, drafting a section of a report or testimony, and participating in a call with a public utility commission or utility partner to discuss rate design options. You could also collaborate with RMI colleagues on a new project proposal or mentor a junior associate, all while balancing multiple deadlines in a remote, mission-driven team.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who RMI Is Looking For
- 3-5 years of experience in utility regulation, energy policy, or ratemaking, with a strong understanding of cost-of-service studies, rate design, and regulatory proceedings.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, Python, R) and translate complex data into clear, persuasive recommendations for diverse audiences.
- Experience engaging with stakeholders such as utilities, public utility commissions, consumer advocates, or environmental organizations, ideally in a collaborative or advocacy capacity.
- A passion for clean energy and equity, with a track record of working on decarbonization or energy justice issues, and comfort navigating ambiguous, fast-paced environments.
📝 Tips for Applying to RMI
Highlight specific rate cases or regulatory filings you've contributed to, including your role in analysis, testimony, or stakeholder engagement—RMI values concrete examples of impact.
Emphasize any experience working with utilities or regulators, as RMI's program relies on credibility with these stakeholders; mention names of commissions or utilities if possible.
Demonstrate your quantitative skills by describing a project where you used data to influence a policy or business decision, and include the tools (e.g., Excel, Python) you used.
Show alignment with RMI's mission by referencing their reports or initiatives (e.g., Utility Transition Hub, Carbon-Free Electricity Program) and explain how your values connect to their work.
Use your cover letter to tell a story about why you're passionate about utility ratemaking as a lever for decarbonization, not just energy policy in general—RMI seeks changemakers, not just analysts.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience with utility ratemaking or regulatory processes, including specific cases or projects where you influenced outcomes.', 'Your ability to bridge technical analysis and stakeholder engagement, with examples of communicating complex concepts to non-technical audiences.', "Your commitment to equity and clean energy, showing how you've integrated these values into your work.", 'Why RMI specifically—mention their unique approach of working with utilities and regulators, and how you want to contribute to their mission.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read RMI's recent reports and blog posts on utility ratemaking, such as their work on performance-based regulation or the Utility Transition Hub.
- → Understand RMI's theory of change and how their Electricity Program collaborates with utilities, regulators, and advocates—look for case studies or impact stories.
- → Familiarize yourself with current debates in utility regulation, like the intersection of rate design with distributed energy resources, electrification, and equity.
- → Research key RMI partners and funders, as well as their major initiatives like the Carbon-Free Electricity Program, to understand the broader context.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on technical analysis without demonstrating stakeholder engagement or policy influence—RMI values both equally.
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention RMI's specific work or the utility ratemaking focus of this role.
- Neglecting to show passion for the mission—RMI explicitly seeks changemakers, so a purely transactional application may be overlooked.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!