Regulatory Affairs Director, Emergency Management and Safety

Position Summary:

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is the national trade association representing 900 not-for-profit electric cooperatives and other rural electric utilities. This position presents an opportunity to join an elite Government Relations program and lead a policy portfolio focused on advocating for electric cooperative priorities before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA).

The Regulatory Affairs Director, Emergency Management and Safety is responsible for identifying agency policy guidance and regulation that may impact electric cooperatives and developing advocacy strategies that protect their interests. In addition to leading a regulatory portfolio, the role includes an emergency management coordinating function between NRECA's member cooperatives and the Emergency Support Function (ESF) at the Department of Energy before, during and after natural disasters that impact electric systems. It ensures visibility between the utility industry and government specific to energy infrastructure during emergencies and helps coordinate federal assistance to restore power when disasters disrupt

energy systems.

Essential Regulatory Advocacy Responsibilities:

Identify Federal Policies and Regulations Impacting Electric Cooperatives:

• Leverage strong working knowledge of federal emergency management and safety policies to advocate on behalf of electric cooperative interests before policymakers.
• Evaluate the policy landscape and identify regulatory risk to, and opportunity for, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
• Describe the unique set of circumstances electric cooperatives must consider as they prepare for and respond to natural disasters and comply with safety regulations.

Develop Policy Positions that Support Electric Cooperatives:

• Develop policy positions that mitigate regulatory risk to electric cooperatives and advance opportunities relevant to federal agencies included in the emergency management and safety policy portfolio.

Advocate on Behalf of Electric Cooperative Positions Before Policymakers:

• Proactively engage, educate and advocate before policymakers on the unique set of business considerations not-for-profit electric cooperatives must evaluate in the context of each agencies' statutory mission. Successful agency advocacy results in policymakers that better understand the electric cooperative business model and the mitigation of any regulatory risk that drives up consumer-member costs without benefit.

Essential Emergency Management Coordinating Responsibilities:

Facilitate collaboration between NRECA member cooperatives and the Department of Energy's ESF, ensuring visibility between industry and government during emergencies. Support federal efforts to restore power and fuel supplies when disasters disrupt energy systems. Requires availability before, during, and after crisis events impacting energy infrastructure.

Activities that Support Successful Advocacy and Member Support:

• Oversee outside consultants for regulatory filings and policy advocacy.
• Leverage all advocacy tools, including meetings, regulatory comments, and cooperative insights.
• Advocate and negotiate key policy issues with officials and staff.
• Strengthen NRECA's reputation through strategic relationships.
• Represent NRECA in coalitions and stakeholder engagements.
• Drive policy influence through testimony, comments, and direct advocacy.

Member Education:

• Inform and educate NRECA members about policy issues arising in area of responsibility to help them meet regulatory obligations and serve affordable, reliable power.
• Provide input on meeting agendas, attend, and participate in annual, regional, and other NRECA meetings as appropriate, and provide advice and consultation to the NRECA Board.
• Develop NRECA member engagement resources (i.e., fact sheets, issue briefs, and regulatory summaries) utilized to keep NRECA members informed about policies impacting their business.

Education and Continuing Professional Growth:

• Maintain specialized expertise in the area of responsibility.

• Develop deep understanding of members' business needs, policy positions, and internal dynamics.
• Continuously enhance and expand knowledge to support membership and industry leadership.

Collaboration, Coordination and Communication:

• Lead project teams to achieve objectives, managing risk and complexity while developing execution strategies.
• Communicate complex ideas, anticipate objections, and negotiate at senior levels to influence decisions
• Partner with Government Relations, Communications, and Business Strategies teams enterprise wide.
• Keep NRECA leadership and members informed on relevant issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Direct Reports to this Position:
There are no direct reports to this position.

Formal Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree required with knowledge and/or work experience in the emergency management and safety policy space.

Experience and Certifications Required:

Eight or more years of relevant work experience.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated by prior work experience):

• Expertise in emergency management, safety policy, and legislative/regulatory processes.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for engaging members, agencies, and stakeholders.

• Skilled in negotiation, collaboration, and consensus-building across all levels.

• Strategic and creative thinking to advance advocacy goals.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and standard office equipment

Additional Background:

Please find below additional detail regarding NRECA's priorities in the emergency management and safety policy space. The ideal candidate will have experience working with these organizations:

FEMA: Every year, ice storms, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and similar natural disasters destroy NRECA's member cooperatives' critical facilities and infrastructure. If this damage is caused by a major disaster declared by the President of the United States, then many of the cooperatives' response and recovery costs are eligible through grants from FEMA. These grants, authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and administered under FEMA's Public Assistance Program, can amount to tens of millions of dollars and are critical to the ability of cooperatives to recover from disasters and get the lights back on quickly and safely. NRECA works with the Administration and Congress to maintain electric cooperatives' eligibility for FEMA funding and to ensure FEMA policies facilitate the expeditious delivery of funds.

OSHA: The operations of electric cooperatives are regulated by two major components of OSHA regulation, Section 29 CFR 1910.269 (Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution section of the General Industry Standards) and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V (of the Construction Standards). Covered under these large sections of regulation are issues such as personal protective equipment (PPE), climbing, trenching and shoring, confined space, lock out tag out, fall protection, working on or near exposed energy parts, arc protection, flame protection and several others. Issues of importance to cooperatives include agency regulations related to heat illness and injury, tree trimming, first responders, and communication tower safety.

FMCSA: Electric cooperative transportation equipment above a certain weight is subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration. The regulations include safety equipment required on vehicles and regulation of operators of this equipment through rules regarding Commercial Motor Vehicles and Commercial Drivers Licenses. NRECA works with FMCSA to ensure that the agency understands the unique needs of electric cooperatives and how certain policies may impact our mission to serve safe, affordable and reliable energy to end-of-line consumer-members.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and reading.
• Exerting up to twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management's assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Additional Requirement:

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management's assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail humanresources@nreca.coop or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 'Know Your Rights' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement".

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify.

For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop.