Permitting Policy Director

tl;dr Co-lead Permit Power’s policy development to simplify and streamline permitting, inspection, HOAs, building codes, and product standards to dramatically lower the cost and accelerate the adoption of residential rooftop solar, plug-in solar, and home batteries.

What we do at Permit Power 

Permit Power is an energy affordability non-profit on a mission to make it cheap and easy for American families to power their lives by cutting the red tape that makes home solar and batteries so expensive. 

We are a small but ambitious team that advances common-sense policy fixes in states around the country to modernize processes like permitting and utility interconnection to allow tens of millions more American families to produce their own affordable electricity. 

What you’ll be doing: 

We are looking for a Permitting Policy Director to co-lead our agenda to remove bureaucratic barriers for residential rooftop solar, plug-in solar, and home batteries including streamlining permitting, inspection, homeowner association approvals, and codes and standards. In partnership with Permit Power’s advocacy staff, you’ll serve as a core part of our team to drive legislative change, lead and participate in coalition efforts, and be an internal expert and external thought leader on permit streamlining. A significant portion of your work will likely focus on policies derived from the values of property rights, small government, and consumer choice in conservative and purple states. The specific policies and states will be divided with Permit Power’s current Permitting Policy Director based on existing expertise, geography, and other factors. You will report to the Chief of Policy.

• Develop Permit Power's permitting policy agenda: Formulate and execute a comprehensive policy plan to simplify and streamline permitting and inspection processes for home solar and batteries, with a focus on states with the largest home solar and battery potential, as well as simplifying and streamlining building codes and product safety standards for home solar products such as plug-in solar.  

• Oversee the bill-to-law cycle: Conduct preliminary research for, draft, and vet permitting bill language. Produce advocacy materials, such as talking points, fact sheets, graphics, and reports. In coordination with Permit Power’s advocacy team and outside lobbyists, lobby legislators, their staff, and executive branch officials. Negotiate with opposition. 

• Build and drive coalitions: Develop and manage relationships with partners such as home builders, the solar industry, think tanks, and others to broaden support for a permitting reform agenda and to collaboratively refine and update our state policy priorities.  

• Serve as the subject matter expert: Act as the organization's authority on permitting rules, regulations, and cutting-edge policies like third party permitting and inspection, HOA overreach, and simplified building codes and product standards.

• Evaluate compliance and implementation: Investigate whether jurisdictions are following the bills we pass, whether installers are actively taking advantage of them, and why. Then analyze where implementation is hitting friction points and refine solutions to remove further and persistent barriers to affordable home solar and batteries.

• Manage external research and consultants: Scope external policy research and identify, onboard, and direct consultants to secure high-quality products supporting our permitting policy agenda.

What we’re looking for:  

• 7+ years of experience in policy development, legislative advocacy, and/or regulatory affairs related to solar, construction, permitting, or government efficiency.

• Track record of successfully developing and executing policy agendas that lead to tangible outcomes, particularly within the state legislative arenas.

• Sufficient technical expertise with relevant engineering concepts (e.g., electrical, structural, and/or fire safety) to shape our policy approach to permitting and inspection policies, 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 and materials for policymakers, advocates, and the public.

• Relationships with energy policy organizations, the building industry, technical consultants, research firms, and think tanks.

What will make you a good fit: 

• Entrepreneurial and self-directed. We are a small team, and you will need to be able to figure out what your goals are and how to achieve them within the set timeframe. 

• Outcomes-oriented. We measure ourselves by how much we can drive down the cost and timelines for installing solar and batteries, and how much more solar and batteries are installed as a result of our work. We are looking for someone who will find fulfillment in achieving those concrete goals. 

• Collaborative and low-ego. We’re a start-up organization and will make many mistakes. We will only succeed if we work together, acknowledge our mistakes, and learn from them. 

• Flexible and open-minded. Comfortable collaborating and finding common ground with stakeholders across the ideological spectrum

• Organized and detail-oriented. No one will be looking over your shoulder, and you will need to take true ownership over the quality of your work and stay on top of your own administrative work. 

• Occasional travel: Willing to travel for team meetings and periodic partner meetings, hearings, and conferences several times a year. 

The salary & benefits you can expect: 

• The salary range for this position is $135,000-160,000. This is a full-time, exempt position. Permit Power offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, pre-tax commuter benefits, FSA, 401k with 5% contribution matching (limits apply). 

• Permit Power offers 6 months of paid maternity or paternity leave to bond with a newborn or adopted child within the first year of birth or adoption. 

• We are a fully remote team open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success, and that is why we’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity.

What the Lawyers told us to say
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned, and are subject to change.

Applications will close September 25, 2026.