Operations Associate

Overview

Power Lines is a national nonprofit organization that aims to modernize the utility regulatory system for American energy consumers to lower utility bills and grow the economy. It focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which play a critical role in determining how much people pay for utility bills, how utilities invest in different types of energy, and where new energy projects are built.

These 200 commissioners oversee more than $200 billion in utility spending each year and have significant influence over the future of our energy system.

Rising utility bills is quickly becoming a national economic and political issue. In the first half of 2025, utility rate increase requests totaled $29 billion, setting a record for any year and more than doubling the amount during the same period last year. Recognized on the 2025 “TIME
100 Next” list, Power Lines is rapidly becoming a go-to source and leader in informing the national discussion of this issue and has already shaped the conversation in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CBS News, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, Heatmap News, MIT Technology Review, Latitude Media, Yahoo News, and Canary Media.

Power Lines is seeking a full-time Operations Associate to support core operational work streams. The ideal candidate will be a scrappy team player who takes initiative, is detail-oriented and organized, and brings a “get stuff done” mentality. This person should also be eager to wear multiple hats, manage multiple high-impact work streams, and maintain adaptability in a dynamic, high-velocity startup environment. This role will also require creative problem solving and an ability to operate in uncertain and ambiguous environments.

Power Lines is a rapidly growing, early-stage startup nonprofit organization. Every day at Power Lines looks different. This person will be expected to move fast, tackle problems, and keep the trains running. The Operations Associate will have the opportunity to help build organizational infrastructure at a pivotal juncture, have a front row seat to an organization during an exciting period of growth, and contribute outsized impact in an underaddressed and dynamic problem space.

As an early member of the Power Lines team, and its first full-time operations hire, this person will play a critical role in shaping the trajectory of Power Lines’ work, including its team, culture, and organizational infrastructure.

Power Lines is headquartered in Washington, DC. There is a strong preference for the Operations Associate to be based in Washington, DC. The Operations Associate will report to the Founder and Executive Director.

• Internal Operations
  • Maintain shared team Google Drive folder and ensure documents are properly organized
  • Support processing of reimbursements, receipts, and other expenses
  • Lead preparation for weekly team meetings, including developing of agendas, note taking
  • Provide operational support to Power Lines projects and teams as needed
  • Lead preparation for weekly team close-outs and recaps
  • Support drafting of role descriptions for new hires
  • Support onboarding of new team members
• Executive Support
  • Support scheduling for Executive Director
  • Support tracking of key contacts that Executive Director makes during external engagements and coordinate follow up
  • Work with Executive Director on a regular basis to ensure that priorities and key tasks are completed
  • Be several steps ahead of the Executive Director and anticipate challenges and opportunities for the organization
• Team Culture
  • Support building of organizational and team culture, including planning for team retreats, happy hours, and other team building events
  • Support professional development opportunities for Power Lines team members
  • Oversee fellowship and internship program
  • Ensure Power Lines office space is well-maintained and conducive for team success
• Fundraising
  • Support research of funder prospects
  • Support writing and development of grant proposals
  • Identify and track metrics of impact and success
  • Support development of annual Power Lines impact report
• Event Support
  • Support planning and execution of logistics for events and convenings
  • Coordinat…