Application Guide
How to Apply for Vice President - Regulatory Reform
at Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
🏢 About Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
IREC is a mission-driven nonprofit leading the transition to a 100% clean energy future with a focus on equity and reliability. As an independent voice, it shapes state regulatory policies for distributed energy resources, offering a unique opportunity to influence the nation's energy landscape from a remote, collaborative environment.
About This Role
This VP role leads IREC's regulatory team to drive multi-state strategies for DER best practices, focusing on interconnection, grid modernization, and EV charging. You'll shape national policy, oversee reports and fundraising, and serve on the executive team to advance clean energy and equity goals.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start with a virtual check-in with your regulatory team to discuss ongoing state proceedings, then review a draft policy report on EV integration. Afternoon could involve a call with a foundation program officer about a grant proposal, followed by a strategy session with the executive team on aligning regulatory goals with workforce equity initiatives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. Is Looking For
- A seasoned policy expert with 8+ years in public utility regulation and DER policy, ideally with experience in state advocacy and legal or engineering backgrounds.
- A strategic leader skilled in managing teams (including attorneys) and developing multi-state campaigns, with a deep understanding of the U.S. energy system and grid interconnection.
- A proven fundraiser with experience securing grants or partnerships for nonprofit energy initiatives, and strong project management skills to oversee complex policy tools and reports.
- An effective communicator who can represent IREC nationally, build coalitions, and translate technical policy into actionable strategies for diverse stakeholders.
📝 Tips for Applying to Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
Highlight specific examples of leading multi-state regulatory campaigns or influencing DER interconnection policies in your resume and cover letter.
Quantify fundraising success: mention grant amounts secured or partnerships developed for clean energy policy work.
Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with equity and environmental justice in energy policy, as IREC prioritizes equitable clean energy.
Include a brief writing sample or policy report you authored that demonstrates expertise in grid modernization or EV integration.
Address how you would manage a remote team of attorneys and policy experts, showing experience with virtual collaboration tools and distributed leadership.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for IREC's mission of a reliable, resilient, and equitable clean energy future, and how your work aligns with that.", 'Specific examples of advancing DER regulatory best practices, such as interconnection reforms or storage policies, in previous roles.', "Your experience in fundraising and partnership development, detailing successful grants or coalitions you've built for state-level advocacy.", 'Your leadership philosophy for managing a regulatory team and contributing to executive-level strategy, especially in a remote setting.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review IREC's recent reports on interconnection standards (e.g., Model Interconnection Procedures) and grid modernization to understand their policy positions.
- → Study IREC's equity initiatives, such as their work on inclusive workforce development or community solar, to see how equity is operationalized.
- → Look into IREC's current funders (foundations, government grants) to understand their resource base and potential partnership opportunities.
- → Familiarize yourself with key state regulatory dockets where IREC has intervened recently (e.g., New York, California) to grasp their advocacy style.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without referencing IREC's specific mission or recent policy work (e.g., not mentioning equity or interconnection).
- Overemphasizing technical engineering details without connecting to policy advocacy or regulatory strategy.
- Ignoring the fundraising requirement: failing to demonstrate any experience or interest in grant writing or donor relations.
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.!