Energy manager Jobs in Honolulu, HI

JOB FUNCTION:

Manages the functions and activities for the development, evaluation, negotiation, and administration of energy power purchase agreements under the Energy Procurement Department. This includes: Competitive Bidding, Feed in Tariff, Bi-lateral Negotiations, and managing policies with contracted Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light. Team Lead for multi-disciplinary groups for the development, evaluation, and negotiation of Energy purchase proposals. Functions as the lead negotiator for the Company.

Proposes facilities, personnel, and funds required to carry out programs which are directly related to fulfillment of overall organization objectives. Initiates and maintains contacts with key stakeholders (e.g., project managers, lawyers, accountants, and officials) from inside/outside of the Company in the interest of joint problem-solving, coordination, and keeping up with technical, social, political, legal, and regulatory developments. Makes recommendations on technical issues which require the integration of knowledge and expertise in all areas of power system planning, design, and operations. Assists with community engagement and public meetings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plans, develops, and coordinates the acquisition of renewable energy resources through requests for proposals, power purchase contract negotiations, and other competitive procurement mechanisms for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light. Provides external and internal planning and communications strategy development and leadership related to renewable energy power purchase procurement and contract negotiation issues and processes. Leads cross-functional work teams comprised of senior level personnel in the evaluation and negotiation of renewable purchased power proposals, and in formulating recommendations relative to resolving contract disputes. Serves as expert advisor to senior management and primary negotiator on renewable energy power purchase agreement issues, including technical and financial models and analysis. Remains current in the latest trends in emerging technologies. Serves as the principal point of contact for third-party power generation.
• As a "matrix" manager, negotiates priorities with and supports completion of project tasks through project team members, others in the organization, and consultants. Ensures that team members have all the resources, information, and direction necessary to successfully complete their assignments. Informs team members of their roles, project information, and obtains their support in meeting project goals.
• Administers executed power purchase agreements between Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light. Agreement administration functions include: 1) Ensuring consistent interpretation, strict compliance, and proper administration of all power purchase agreements, 2) Justifying terms and conditions of power purchase agreements to include capacity charges, energy charges, penalties/incentives, and methodologies of payment, 3) Reviewing and approving all monthly payments in accordance with executed purchase power agreements, and 4) Directing liaison activities with Independent Power Producers on operational matters during abnormal operating conditions.
• Develops, reviews, and/or delivers planning/engineering-type expert testimony, responses to information requests, presentations, and other assignments supporting power purchase agreements before various external agencies such as the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the State Legislature, and Legal Arbitration cases. Participates in the formation of recommendations for capital budget items. Provides avoided costs computations and recommends contract terms related to all power contract proposals.
• Supports priorities for the Energy Procurement Department. Develops, implements, and administers policies and procedures to support the Division’s mission and vision and corporate goals and strategies. Provides technical assistance to other departments, subsidiaries, and consultants. Manages department matters in the absence of the Manager. Prepares and presents administrative reports/documents such as: project status, strategic action plan (goals and objectives), budget inputs, and training requirements. Serves as technical advisor and/or consultant for inter and intra-departmental work groups. Serves as Company Representative on specific Energy Procurement assignments, including at community meetings or for media requests.
• Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

• Working knowledge of engineering and/or business principles and theories normally acquired through a college level curriculum resulting in a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of Renewable Energy technologies, both commercial and emerging, and their utility scale applications.
• Working knowledge of project management fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of PUC, environmental, and state and federal laws and regulations as related to the implementation of renewable energy projects.
• Working knowledge of commonly used terms and conditions of contracts and the elements of a contract.
• Working knowledge of personal computers, cloud-based and/or related software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, data bases, and project management.

Skills Requirements

• Motivated self starter with ability and drive to successfully manage multiple projects with competing priorities in a timely and effective manner with minimal day-to-day direction required.
• Strong written skills, including clear, comprehensive, and succinct communications for a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills including effective written, verbal, listening, and presentation, platform communication, and skills/conflict resolution skills; the ability to use tact, courtesy, and discretion while working effectively with a variety of individuals, dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues; demonstrated willingness and ability to train team members.
• Strong negotiating, influencing, and persuading techniques; ability to handle confidential information.
• Demonstrated and creative negotiation skills in complex technical and financial energy generation projects.
• Demonstrated extensive analytical and administrative skills required for such tasks as preparing, monitoring and analyzing forecasts; carrying out company/department policies and procedures.
• Analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various complex ideas, projects, and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license. Must meet the standards for frequent or required driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Required Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in one or more of the following: power system planning, design, or operations; requests for proposals development and implementation; contract negotiation, evaluation, and administration; transactional legal experience, or business development.
• Multiple (5-7) years of experience or demonstrated ability with computers, information systems, and software applications such as MS Project and Excel.
• Several (3-5) years of analytical experience or demonstrated ability preferably with data and/or projects in renewable energy, data processing, legal, engineering or similar field.

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in evaluating and negotiating energy power purchase proposals is highly desirable, but not required.
• Experience in preparing and providing testimony before public agencies, or at governmental or public meetings is highly desirable.
• Experience in preparing and providing testimony in regulatory proceedings of the PUC is desirable but not required.
• Understanding of generation resource planning methodologies including the integration of supply and demand-side resources preferred but not required.
• Understanding of various renewable energy technologies and their relative advantages and disadvantages when integrating with utility grids desirable.
• Working knowledge of methods of avoided costs computations, and understanding of island-specific executed power purchase agreements between Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities preferred but not required.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles with particular concentration in the power system analysis field desirable.
• Working knowledge of budgeting/forecast process.
• Working knowledge of project development including project financing combined with government incentives are desired.

Role: Professional

Number of Vacancies: 2