Public Policy and Engagement Specialist

Overview

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Job Description - Public Policy and Engagement Specialist )

Job Description

Public Policy and Engagement Specialist - (  )

Description

Who We Are: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an

Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

DPU: The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is the state agency responsible for overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. It regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, transportation network companies, and oversees the safety of natural gas pipelines and the MBTA

Job Description: The DPU is seeking a Public Policy and Engagement Specialist to join its Division of Public Participation.

The Division of Public Participation (“Division”) is responsible for integrating environmental justice principles across DPU’s work and supporting public voices at the DPU. Legislation passed in November 2024, An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity, and Protecting Ratepayers, also tasks the Division with the following: (1) assisting stakeholders before the DPU and the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) in navigating outreach and community engagement requirements, and facilitating dialogue among stakeholders;

and (2) implementing and administering all aspects of the Intervenor Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to enhance their ability to participate in DPU or EFSB cases.

Job Purpose: The Public Policy and Engagement Specialist will assist in developing and implementing policies, practices, and programs that advance environmental justice, inform and educate the public about the DPU’s and EFSB’s work, and make it easier for the public to participate in the decision-making process. This position will work closely with Division and other DPU staff to support the implementation of the Environmental Justice strategy, Intervenor Support Grant Program, siting and permitting regulations, and other Division initiatives.

For DPU matters, the Public Policy and Engagement Specialist will assist stakeholders with identifying opportunities to provide comment, intervene, and participate further in a docket. With respect to siting and permitting matters under the jurisdiction of EFSB, the Public Policy and Engagement Specialist will assist project petitioners, individuals, local governments, community organizations and other entities with understanding pre-filing outreach requirements for projects seeking a consolidated permit and identifying opportunities to meaningfully engage in the EFSB process.

The Public Policy and Engagement Specialist will participate in pre-filing discussions, review project information and submissions related to pre-filing consultation and engagement efforts, assess and report if requirements have been met.

The Public Policy and Engagement Specialist will familiarize themselves with project filings, respond to stakeholder queries regarding participation in the Intervenor Support Grant Program, review intervenor grant application materials, and make recommendations to the Division Director. The…