Policy Specialist, MISO

Description

Program/Role: Policy Specialist, MISO

Location: WFH Flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN.

Reports to: Sr Policy Manager, RTO Engagement

Type of Position: Full-time position

Ideal start date: July 1, 2026

Compensation: Salary range: $65K-$85K, commensurate with experience. Benefits made available include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend.

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by some 80 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies. 

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative:

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability. 

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests.

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.

THIS POSITION: 

GPI seeks a bright, motivated, and collaborative individual to lead our engagement efforts in meetings and proceedings of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). The core responsibilities of this position are to attend MISO meetings, build relationships with parties involved in those meetings, and provide support and advising to GPI’s projects that focus on or relate to MISO rules and decisions. This position is part of a larger team that is working on engagement in the SPP, MISO, and PJM regions. 

JOB DUTIES:

Engagement in MISO stakeholder processes:

1. Develop and maintain a strong, diverse network of MISO staff and stakeholders including states, NGOs, utilities, developments, consumer advocates, and large load customers
2. Identify opportunities within MISO stakeholder processes for market reforms to increase investment in non-emitting generation resources and enabling technologies including transmission
3. Shape development of regional transmission plans that analyze the impacts of public policies and goals and high penetrations of clean energy in the MISO region.
4. Support engagement to build consensus for processes needed to plan and permit interregional transmission, with specific focus on the MISO-SPP seam
5. Advance GPI’s reputation and objectives via participation in collaborative stakeholder initiatives, public presentations, and panel participation as well as blog and research report publication.
6. Participate in MISO’s stakeholder processes on behalf of the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition as deemed appropriate and necessary by coalition members
7. Participate in MISO’s stakeholder committees, including via both virtual and in-person meeting participation
8. Collaborate and support other mission-aligned organizations and partners working in these RTO venues 

Convening and facilitation

1. Provide support to the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition in partnership with other GPI staff including without limitation:
2. Planning and convening monthly general coalition meetings
3. Planning and convening monthly policy committee meetings
4. Preparing briefs and education materials on current issues
5. Recruiting MISOCCC members
6. Prepare and solicit input on public coalition comments to MISO and FERC
7. Identify and recruit subject matter experts to present information in meetings to build the collective understanding of all participants and support robust, informed discussions, including for MISOCCC and other groups convened by GPI.

Programmatic Support:

1. Participate in strategic planning activities at GPI, representing the MISO stakeholder engagement work.
2. Serve as a programmatic lead for GPI’s MISO stakeholder engagement work on a variety of energy system decarbonization projects.
3. Maintain working knowledge of current issues in MISO and of state and utility policies and plans in the MISO region to inform direct engagement in MISO stakeholder processes and GPI’s long-term strategy.
4. Maintain existing and develop new partnerships with organizations working in the energy system decarbonization space to enable GPI to partner with others where such a partnership would be of benefit.
5. Advance GPI’s programmatic work through collaboration with colleagues, in service to GPI’s mission and strategic plan.

Project development, fundraising, budget management: 

1. Support the development of proposals to philanthropic funders to support the program’s transmission and wholesale electricity markets work. 
2. Support regular reporting for grants and other project milestones
3. Build relationships with current and potential funders for the program’s transmission and wholesale electricity markets work. 
4. Assist with managing project budget and contracts

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

· Bachelor’s Degree or relevant proven skills and experience

· 2+ years of professional work experience in MISO or RTO engagement issues.

· Existing relationships with parties active in MISO or RTO stakeholder engagement processes.

· Experience working on a diverse team 

· Experience working with different communication styles 

· Self-motivated

· Excellent time, deadline, project, and people management skills with ability to multi-task

· Problem solving skills: ability to identify solutions to challenges that arise 

· Frequent (i.e., monthly on average) travel to MISO meetings and related stakeholder meetings is required

· Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

· Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute

EQUIPMENT USED:

This position involves use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset.

HOW TO APPLY:  

Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE: 

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.