What are the responsibilities and job description for the Regulatory & Policy Associate position at Zanskar?
Role Overview
Title: Regulatory & Policy Associate
Hours: Full-time; Salaried
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, Hybrid
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Manager: Regional Government Affairs Manager
Mission – Why we exist and why we need you
Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. There is 2,300 times more energy in geothermal heat in the ground than in oil, gas, coal, and methane combined. However, historically it’s been hard to find and expensive to develop. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources in order to make geothermal a cheap and vital contributor to a carbon-free electrical grid.
The Regulatory & Policy Associate will help drive Zanskar's legislative and regulatory strategy across key states, championing our mission and building the relationships that open doors for our commercial growth. This role sits at the intersection of political strategy and execution, policy and regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement — owning active workstreams across administrative and legislative priorities while serving as a credible external voice for Zanskar in agency proceedings and policy forums.
This is a high-ownership, high-impact role on a small and fast-moving team. The Regulatory & Policy Associate will work closely with internal teams across permitting, resource, finance, and development to ensure policy advancements are understood and acted on, while independently managing relationships with agency officials, legislators, industry peers, and trade groups. Success in this role means Zanskar is never caught off guard — and is always actively influencing the policy environment rather than reacting to it.
\nWithin 6 months you will…
-
Assume primary ownership of key states in an active state portfolio, managing regulatory filings, rulemaking proceedings, and comment letters.
-
Establish yourself as a trusted point of contact with key agency officials, legislators, and industry stakeholders in your assigned states.
-
Develop and begin advancing legislative frameworks for a set of priority policy objectives.
-
Engage with industry peers and trade groups to build coalitions and align on shared policy positions.
-
Government experience — At least 3–5 years in government, public policy, or regulatory affairs at the federal or state level. Prior experience as a legislative staffer, agency official, or in a role directly shaping policy outcomes.
-
Subject matter expertise — Stays current on energy policy, regulatory developments, and industry trends, translating that knowledge into strategic guidance for leadership and external partners.
-
Policy development & advocacy — Demonstrated ability to build policy positions from the ground up — drafting legislative frameworks, comment letters, and testimony, and engaging directly with decision-makers to advance them.
-
Regulatory analysis & monitoring — Tracks changes in laws, rulemakings, and regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions and assesses their business impact clearly and proactively, without waiting to be asked.
-
Stakeholder collaboration — Builds trust across a wide range of relationships — agency officials, legislators, industry peers, internal teams — and leverages those relationships to drive real results.
-
Nonpartisan instincts — Understands that good energy policy doesn't belong to one party, and is equally comfortable building relationships and advancing priorities across the aisle.
-
Exceptional writing & communication — Produces clear, compelling work across formats — policy memos, comment letters, and briefings.
-
Mission alignment — Energized by the challenge of decarbonizing the energy system and sees geothermal as a critical and underutilized part of the solution. Eager to help shape the policy environment that enables its growth.
-
The position is located in Salt Lake City, UT
-
Paid holidays, and 18 days PTO
-
Medical, dental & vision coverage
-
401k
-
A direct impact in displacing carbon emissions, and growth opportunities in a growing startup environment
Equal Opportunity Employer
Zanskar is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practice laws.