Manager Transmission Interconnections

Purpose

To provide management, expertise and guidance by negotiating and administrating the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) and non-OATT interconnection processes. Develops transmission customer relationships and innovative solutions that meet customer needs while adapting to changing regulatory environments, managing risk, and maximizing transmission system utilization.

Nature and Scope

This manager oversees a cross functional team within a broad scope of responsibilities; develops, implements and manages department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in partnership with the Manager of Energy Contracts and Director Transmission, Planning & Operations; selects, trains, motivates, evaluates, and develops staff; and ensures, alongside management peers, that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved. The role is required to attend, present and/or lead at Board, executive, team, customer, community, and one-on-one meetings; in person, as needed. Except as set forth in an acceptable Remote Work Agreement, works onsite during scheduled hours (and outside of scheduled hours as needed) to effectively perform job duties, attend meetings, collaborate with and supervise team members, and support business operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Oversees the lifecycle of projects related to interconnections, from initial developer requests through to completion, including Generator and Transmission Interconnection Requests and associated Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Agreements.

- Coordinates and leads project teams, ensuring all projects stay within scope, schedule, and budget.

- Trains and supports Project Managers within the Transmission Planning & Operations department, ensuring project management best practices are followed.

- Provides subject matter expertise in transmission engineering to support interconnection processes.

- Ensures contractual compliance during the construction of transmission projects and addresses any technical challenges.

- Collaborates with engineering teams to assess and integrate new technologies or systems into existing transmission frameworks.

- Manages the process for interconnecting new 3rd party generation to SMUD’s electrical grid, optimizing grid performance and reliability.

- Develops, negotiates, and completes contracts with transmission customers, including utilities and generators, for efficient grid integration.

- Monitors industry trends and regulatory developments related to grid interconnections and OATT, communicating these to relevant stakeholders.

- Manages external relationships with 3rd party developers and technical interconnections to SMUD’s grid

- Assists with the Company's compliance with FERC Orders, FERC Notice of Inquiry (NOI), Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NOPR), and Standards of Conduct (SOC) activities.

- Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

- Coordinates with other SMUD staff in different departments, including Legal and Government Affairs, to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements; keeps abreast of laws, regulations, and trends in environmental mitigation as they relate to renewable generation projects both in operation and development.

- Serves as inter-departmental liaison in overseeing internal/external department projects by identifying objectives; identifying internal/external project team; developing project plans that include schedule, cost, key work products and milestones; monitoring project progress and completion against plan/contract; revising schedules, scope, expenditures and assignments as warranted; 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.

- Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering or related field, from an accredited college or university majoring or equivalent experience. If no degree, nine (9+) or more years of relevant experience is required.

Required Experience Qualifications

- Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in transmission and interconnections with an emphasis on managing projects, with at least five (5+) years supervising/managing staff.

Knowledge Of

Current status of photovoltaic, renewable, advanced, and distributed interconnection technologies in utility applications; fundamentals, procedures and practices of photovoltaic technology, installation, operations and service; product development, packaging and marketing techniques; grant sources and application procedures; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing photovoltaic, renewable, advanced and distributed technologies; 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; fundamentals and practices for budget administration; fundamentals and practices for business strategic planning and development; fundamentals and practices for delegating, prioritizing, assigning and reviewing work assignments; fundamentals and practices for motivating, coaching, mentoring, training, and developing staff; techniques and concepts related to team management; techniques for exercising significant management and authority; fundamentals and practices of economic assessment of projects and programs; fundamentals and practices of program evaluation; basic budgeting techniques; interrelationships between SMUD's operations and relevant external entities; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Manage a cross-functional team to support SMUD’s 3rd party interconnection activity with alignment across various internal functions; apply applicable personnel laws, codes and regulations; coordinate the work of the function or unit with other SMUD entities; establish and maintain working relationships internally/externally; establish, manage, monitor and update budget; interact with others to influence and motivate; interpret and apply SMUD policies procedures, applicable MOU and/or other special agreements; plan, organize, direct, control, and review the work of others; prepare and implement safety plans, procedures and practices for unit; prepare and take disciplinary actions, including terminating staff; prepare performance plans and evaluations for staff; recruit, select, hire, supervise, and evaluate employees; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely one-on-one or in groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; develop and maintain project budget and schedule; plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule projects; assess complex issues and develop/implement resolution alternatives; evaluate procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; evaluate situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; appraise situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action; determine the potential long-term outcomes of a change in operations; interpret, analyze and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; negotiate with external representatives on behalf of the SMUD; organize highly complex and conflicting data in a readily understandable manner for various audiences; prepare a business case to weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; 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

- Knowledge of utility policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements.

Required Licenses/Certificates

- Professional Engineer (PE) license or Project Management certification.

Hybrid Work

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. 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 hybrid 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.