Project Development Manager
: Job Details :

Note: The hiring department will be filling two separate positions from this recruitment process, we are seeking to make one limited term and one regular full time hire. This posting will also be used to create an Eligibility List for current and future Project Development Manager openings, both regular fulltime and limited term.

SMUD is a leader in clean energy and carbon reduction. This is an exciting time to join SMUD as a member of the Project Development Team in our Power Generation Department, helping reach our ambitious goal of zero carbon emissions in our power supply by 2030 - the most ambitious goal of any large utility in the United States.

Power Generation is seeking a strong, experienced Project Development Manager to manage the real estate, permitting, design, installation, integration, interconnection, contracting for services, contract management, construction and commissioning of utility scale and utility interconnected renewable energy projects including solar, combined solar and energy storage, storage and wind projects at distribution and transmission interconnection voltages. In this role, you will manage fast-paced projects, planning, procuring, installing, integrating, and interconnecting for utility scale renewable energy projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing and developing utility-scale renewable energy projects, including the management of matrixed teams of subject matter experts and consultants in real estate, community strategy, permitting at the federal, state, and local level, utility interconnection, and management of EPC contracts and procurement contracts for electrical power projects. Experience in siting utility-scale renewable energy is highly desired. This position requires a high degree of coordination with both internal and external parties to SMUD.

Purpose

To implement programs for the development of new power generation, storage, and transmission resources by directing and controlling the design, permitting, licensing, and engineering to meet SMUD's requirements.

Nature and Scope

Directs the development, implementation, and management of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in partnership with the department leadership; may select, train, motivate, evaluate, and develop subordinate personnel, and ensures that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved and coordinated with other departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs an in-house matrix organization of internal and external stakeholders, outside consultants, and contractors in meeting SMUD power load requirements by planning, organizing, overseeing, and implementing the design, licensing, permitting, and engineering aspects of new power generation and transmission resources projects, including project work plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Overseeing projects by identifying project objectives; identifying internal/external project team; developing Request for Proposals; negotiating contract terms; developing project plans including schedule, cost, key work products and milestones; monitoring project progress and completion against plan/contract; revising schedules, scope, expenditures and assignments; reviewing work products; resolving conflicts and discrepancies; maintaining project records and files; participating in the overall review of the completed project results; and making recommendations for next steps.
• Manages the project design/engineering process by directing and overseeing contractor/consultant/project team work activities, including power plant configurations, engineering design studies, site constraints, transmission routing, power plant cost analysis, operation and maintenance programs, and other technical issues; resolves design and administrative issues; provides construction management advice and inspections.
• Represents SMUD and/or acts as SMUDs liaison in a variety of settings including: public meetings and hearings; operating committees and work groups with other utilities, government agencies, industrial task forces, and other community organizations; developers, architects, engineers, host utilities, regulatory agencies (in conjunction with licensing management) and the public on project engineering related issues.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, majoring in Engineering, Science, or other relevant discipline, or equivalent experience related to project development. If no degree, fourteen (14) years of relevant work experience is required.

Required Experience Qualifications

• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience, including management of the development of and/or design and/or operation of generation, storage, transmission, and distribution systems, and licensing and/or permitting projects through Federal, State, and local jurisdictional authorities e.g., CEC, FERC, CAISO, USFWS, CADFW, FAA, etc.

Required Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License (CDL) and a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years).

Knowledge Of

Principles, procedures, and practices of project development, design, and construction; Principles, procedures, and practices related to evaluation and decision making, contract laws, and negotiation. Principles, procedures, and practices related to surveying and computer applications. Principles, procedures, and practices related to construction completion, turnovers, start-up, and electric system operations, including distribution, substations, and generation. SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and other special agreements; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling work activities; policies and procedures for evaluating and recording performance results. Policies and standards for interacting with local, state and national authorities and agencies; techniques for exercising significant leadership and authority; performance management techniques related to Project Management; principles and practices for contract management; Procedures and practices for cost control and project scheduling; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors/consultants work activities; procedures and practices for project budget management; project management software systems. Techniques and practices related to negotiations and compromise. Safety policies, practices, and procedures. Standard operating procedures, modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software, and English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Monitor and manage projects. Develop and maintain a project budget and schedule. Evaluate and resolve complex technical or management issues. Negotiate with internal and external management on projects. Coordinate the work of the function or unit with other SMUD entities. Interpret and apply SMUD policies procedures, applicable MOU and/or other special agreements. Compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; explain complex and/or controversial policies. Regulations, procedures and/or activities internally/externally. Reconcile significant and/or controversial differences to bring interested parties to consensus; plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects. Analyze complex issues and develop/implement resolution alternatives; analyze situations, documents and data for conformance to establish policy and procedures. Apply applicable laws, codes and regulations. Appraise situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action. Identify the key elements that must be modified to achieve a goal; Interpret, analyze and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; Interpret, clarify, understand and analyze verbal/written information and ideas. Research, analyze and provide recommendations to achieve department objectives. Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job. Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally. Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing the development of utility scale renewable energy projects at the distribution and transmission voltage level
• Demonstrated experience developing strategies to work with and working with federal, state and local regulators to obtain permits for utility scale renewable energy projects
• Demonstrated experience applying for interconnection to a utility at the distribution and transmission level and negotiating interconnection agreement
• Experience with power purchase agreements
• Development and administration of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for utility scale renewable energy projects
• Developing scope of work for contracts and for task orders, administering and managing external contractors in support of utility scale renewable energy projects
• Managing a design review process where contractor submittals are evaluated for compliance with project technical requirements
• Coordination with all the entities (real estate, permitting, interconnection, cyber security, telecom, metering, startup and commissioning, etc.) required to deliver a complete and fully functional project

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Hybrid Work

This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD's business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.