Permitting Policy Director

About the role

Co-lead Permit Power’s policy development to simplify and streamline permitting, inspection, HOA approvals, building codes, and product standards to dramatically lower the cost and accelerate adoption of residential rooftop solar, plug‑in solar, and home batteries. Permit Power is an energy affordability non‑profit advancing common‑sense policy fixes in states to modernize permitting and utility interconnection, enabling millions of families to produce affordable electricity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive permitting policy agenda for home solar and batteries, focusing on states with highest potential and streamlining building codes and product safety standards.
• Oversee the bill‑to‑law cycle: conduct research, draft and vet bill language, produce advocacy materials (talking points, fact sheets, graphics, reports), lobby legislators and officials, negotiate opposition.
• Build and drive coalitions with home builders, solar industry, think tanks, and other partners to broaden support for permitting reform and refine state policy priorities.
• Serve as the organization's subject‑matter expert on permitting rules, regulations, third‑party permitting and inspection, HOA overreach, and simplified codes and standards.
• Evaluate compliance and implementation: investigate whether jurisdictions follow passed bills, installer uptake, identify friction points, and refine solutions.
• Manage external research and consultants: scope projects, onboard, and direct consultants to secure high‑quality products supporting the policy agenda.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in policy development, legislative advocacy, and/or regulatory affairs related to solar, construction, permitting, or government efficiency.
• Proven track record of developing and executing policy agendas that achieve tangible outcomes, especially at the state legislative level.
• Sufficient technical expertise with relevant engineering concepts (electrical, structural, fire safety) to shape policy on permitting, inspection, building codes, and product safety standards.
• Experience testifying before, interfacing with, and developing materials for policymakers.
• Demonstrated ability to build coalitions and partner with stakeholders to achieve policy goals.
• Ability to translate complex technical and engineering concepts into clear, accessible language for policymakers, advocates, and the public.
• Relationships with energy policy organizations, the building industry, technical consultants, research firms, and think tanks.

Skills

• Entrepreneurial and self‑directed; able to set goals and achieve them independently.
• Outcomes‑oriented, focused on reducing cost and timelines for solar and battery installations.
• Collaborative and low‑ego, comfortable acknowledging mistakes and learning.
• Flexible and open‑minded, able to find common ground across the ideological spectrum.
• Organized and detail‑oriented, taking ownership of work quality and administrative tasks.
• Willing to travel occasionally for team meetings, partner meetings, hearings, and conferences.

Benefits

• Health insurance, dental insurance, vision care.
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits and FSA.
• 401(k) with 5% contribution matching (limits apply).
• 6 months of paid maternity or paternity leave to bond with a newborn or adopted child within the first year.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $135,000‑$160,000.

Schedule

Full‑time, exempt position; fully remote (open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.) with occasional travel several times a year.