Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.

At Platte River, we share a sense of purpose and pride in the value we add to our communities, our region and the energy industry. We rely on our staff to sustain our leadership role in the region and to help us work toward our goal to achieve a 100% noncarbon energy mix within the next decade. To accomplish this, we offer competitive pay and benefits, state-of-the-art workplaces at both headquarters and the Rawhide Energy Station, and the following unique benefits:

Onsite, fully-equipped gym facilities
Fleet cars for use by staff for local business travel
Employee rewards, health and financial wellness programs
Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events
Culture of respect, commitment and camaraderie

If you're searching for a collaborative working environment within a mid-sized organization that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make a difference, consider joining the Platte River team.

Job summary

The energy solutions program manager is responsible for distributed energy solutions (DESs) development, implementation and continuous improvement of customer programs and services provided between the organization and its owner communities to support achievement of Resource Diversification Policy and strategic initiatives. They lead in the research, development, recommendation, procurement and implementation of DESs that support Distributed Energy Resource (DER) integration and ensuring customer programming integrates with local, state, and federal policies. The DES programs and services developed and provided may include other areas of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as demand response (DR), distributed generation and storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging and beneficial building electrification (BE).

Platte River has one opening within our engaging team for an experienced utility program manager who will primarily focus on residential customer programs and service offerings. We're looking for an analytical, forward-thinking, collaborative strategist with a service mindset who will leverage their strong interpersonal and communication skills to continue evolving DES programming within the electric utility industry.

Application deadline: Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00 pm MST.

Work schedule and environment

This position works a typical Monday through Friday schedule. This position is eligible for hybrid work scheduling within a commutable distance of Platte River's headquarters location in Fort Collins.

This role is based in an office environment and performs work that requires occasional minimal effort to lift and carry light objects, walking or standing.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization.
Develops, implements, and improves DES programs and services for owner communities, focusing on customer service and organizational objectives.
Researches, develops, recommends, procures, and implements approved DES customer programs supporting DER integration.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop DES programs considering various perspectives (communications, resource planning, IT, cybersecurity, finance, DER).
Provides technical support and ensure DES solutions are well-received, considering policy perspectives (building codes, legislation, community goals).
Engages with stakeholders to leverage grant opportunities for DES development and implementation.
Provides feedback on policy initiatives (building codes, legislation, community goals).
Develops goals and budgets, manages program spending, tracks results, and reports to management and community staff.
Ensures program design and implementation meet goals and budgets; advises management on challenges.
Designs and implements DES market interventions (marketing, education, financial incentives).
Reviews program plans, goals, and metrics with management and stakeholders; recommend adjustments.
Engages with stakeholders to ensure program acceptance and success.
Collaborates with public power, neighboring utilities, and local government agencies; inform management of stakeholder interactions.
Coordinates program implementation with staff, contractors, service providers, and customers; respond to inquiries and issues.
Collaborates with communication and marketing staff to develop and initiate marketing strategies and campaigns.
Recruits, manages, and retains consultants, service providers, and trade partners; enforces program rules.
Develops and maintain program documentation, procedures, applications, and agreements.
Stays updated on new technologies, program models, and utility best practices.
Tracks DES adoption within owner communities and serve as a technical resource for DES program development.
Maintains awareness of owner community goals associated with DER initiatives.
Oversees rebate application processing, field inspections, customer surveys, and result tracking; collaborate on complex projects.
Applies expertise in building science, engineering, and codes to design and implement programs.
Develops and enforce standards for energy audits and DES upgrades; provide quality control and training.
Works under general supervision to align with department goals, communicate successes, and seek support for challenges.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Required

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Office software.
Excellent verbal (including public speaking) and written communication skills.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Knowledge of distributed energy solution technologies, evaluation methods and information sources.
Understanding of utility distributed energy solution program methods and best practices.
Ability to work with, lead teams and influence stakeholders on challenging decisions.
Ability to research, develop, recommend, and coordinate the implementation of distributed energy solution customer programming.
Knowledge one or more DER type or technology (e.g., distributed solar, distributed storage, demand response, load flexibility, EV charge management, building electrification, energy efficiency).
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams to deliver on program objectives.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills and ability to foster relationships with others.
Strong mathematical and quantitative ability.
Strong organization and project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects and timelines.
Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.

Preferred

Knowledge of DERMS and/or virtual power plant (VPP) technology.
Knowledge of distributed energy solution application software and online customer program portals.
Knowledge of local, state and federal policies impacting DES programming.

Your qualifications

Required criteria:

A bachelor's degree in engineering, energy management, business administration or a closely related field.
Valid driver's license and ability to maintain insurability on a corporate vehicle liability policy.
1 year of using customer management systems or project management software (e.g., Salesforce or similar).
Experience with selecting and managing work performed by consultants, contractors or service providers for various programs.
3 years in researching, developing, and implementing DES programs in a utility environment, with a focus on solutions providing energy efficiency, distributed energy resource management, customer service or other service area.
3 years working in and leading a cross-functional team.

Certification in one of the following is preferred:

American Public Power Association's Energy Efficiency Management; Certified associate in project management (CAPM); or Project Management Professional (PMP).

Pay

This is a salaried- exempt role; salaries are paid bi-weekly. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include specific skills, years of experience, education and certifications.

Anticipated hiring range: $105,060 to $126,175 if annualized.
Job pay range: $105,060 to $147,084 if annualized.

Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following:

Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage
Telemedicine
Benefit advocacy
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending plan
Basic life insurance
Basic accidental death and disability
Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary)
Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary)
Long-term disability insurance
Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan
Paid holidays (12 annually)
Paid time off: personal and sick leave
Wellness program
In-house training opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program

For additional information, please see our website careers page at: https://www.prpa.org/careers/benefits/

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Platte River endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at 970-229-5323 or email recruiting@prpa.org.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Platte River cannot provide employment to applicants who will require sponsorship now or in the future (i.e. H1B visa, OPT status).

Platte River Power Authority jobs

Distributed Energy Solutions Program Manager