About NEEA 

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of Northwest energy consumers to increase the adoption of energy-efficient products services and practices. Since 1997, the region has achieved the equivalent to enough energy to power more than 700,000 Northwest homes each year.  

The alliance is powered by harnessing the energy, brainpower, and innovative thinking of motivated professionals like you. NEEA places a high value on diversity, and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, identities and fields of expertise, with or without previous experience in the energy industry. Are you talented, committed, and motivated? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to apply to help us create a vibrant future for all Northwest communities. 

Follow this link to our website and learn more about the organization. 

This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area, with a hybrid work location. We are looking for candidates who can meet the requirement of working at least 2 days per week onsite at NEEA’s office location.  Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US. 

Position Summary 

The Codes and Standards Strategist is responsible for creating and supporting codes and standards strategies for key products impacting the Northwest. These strategies are created in cooperation with product managers, and this role services as a key technical advisor for coaching and empowering product managers to develop product specifications and position products that excel in the evolving energy efficiency landscape. Finally, this position engages in codes and standards development that leads to successful implementation of building energy codes, appliance and equipment efficiency standards, and test procedures to materially improve efficiency outcomes in a cost-effective way.    

Success in this position requires deep expertise in energy codes, standards, and regulations, demonstrated technical knowledge applied to all sectors (residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural), skills in analysis of new technologies in both existing and new buildings, support of the energy codes development and implementation process and the appliance and equipment rulemaking process, a strong understanding of product development and market dynamics, and a range of communication skills including strategy development, political acumen, project management, report writing, and public presentations and expert testimony in public hearings. 

The Codes and Standards Strategist will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all. 

Salary range: $120,000 - $140,000, exempt 

• Salary is based on the applicants Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 

The Typical Day May Include… 

• Develop and implement codes and standards strategies for products and programs within NEEA’s portfolio. Codes and Standards Strategies define the evolution of product features, components, specifications, test methods, performance metrics, and labeling strategies that align with current and future energy policy opportunities and are optimized for market transformation.    
• Act as liaison between product management function and the codes and standards policy framework.  
• Navigate complex decisions of how to support marketing specifications for efficient products while creating practical connections to code and standards opportunities.   
• Work with internal Product Managers to become competent in and support guiding manufacturers in both market needs for efficient products and opportunities and benefits for codes and standards.  
• Participate in code and standards development and adoption processes by creating proposals for new codes and standards including: state energy codes, national model energy codes, federal and state appliance and equipment standards, and test rating methods and procedures.  
• Ensure that proposals and comment letters are submitted for all public requests that have a meaningful impact on the Northwest.   
• Coach codes and standards team with challenging proposals and complex stakeholder dynamics.   
• Provide expert testimony in both policy and technical forums including state legislatures, technical working groups and codes and standards hearings.  
• Foster relationships with organizations that manage or influence codes and standards rules and policies (ASHRAE, IECC, CEE, AHRI, ASAP, ACEEE, NRDC, PG&E, CEC, etc.).  Strategically influencing and coordinating with these organizations to maintain up-to-date knowledge of current and upcoming energy codes and standards, policy threats and opportunities, and opportunities for data collection and research.    

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.     

What Are You Good At? 

A top performer in the Codes and Standards Strategist position is a highly knowledgeable and strategic professional who excels in creating and supporting comprehensive codes and standards strategies for key products and efforts impacting the Northwest energy efficiency landscape. They possess deep expertise in energy codes, standards, and regulations, and demonstrate technical proficiency across residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors.  

This individual is adept at analyzing new technologies and guiding internal and external teams to develop specifications that align with evolving world energy efficiency. They play a crucial role in the development and implementation of building energy codes, appliance and equipment efficiency standards, and test procedures, ensuring cost-effective and impactful efficiency outcomes. With exceptional communication skills, they navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, provide expert testimony in public hearings, and foster strategic relationships with influential organizations. Their political acumen and project management abilities enable them to drive equitable and sustainable energy policies effectively. 

Your Experience, Education, and Skills: 

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other relevant engineering field.   
• 10-15 years of experience in building design and energy efficiency industry.  
• Demonstrated expertise in both the technical and political aspects of codes, standards and the rulemaking process including the federal standards rulemaking process.  
• Established teamwork skills and proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority.  
• Tactical, analytical, and strategic thinker; able to see intersections between technical and political approaches to problem solving.  
• Possess energy-related technical analysis skills including technology comparisons, cost/benefit calculations and energy simulation.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy standards and associated adoption processes. Extensive direct experience in the U.S. DOE standards rule-making process.   
• Ability to understand and navigate complex business situations, encompassing financial literacy, strategic thinking, and sound decision-making. 
• Strong organizational skills, proactive approach; able to create a plan and follow-through, in collaboration with others.  
• Effective communication with other functional areas of the organization, including external stakeholders.  
• Produce clear and concise, oral and written communication to both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent presentation skills.  
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).   
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties. 

Highlights of NEEA’s Benefits: 

• 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents 
• Employer funded Health Savings Account 
• 136 hours of PTO/year 
• Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching 
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9/80 schedule options 
• Professional development opportunities 

NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer