Advanced Technology Program Manager (Distributed Energy Resources)

Job Description:

Advanced Technology Program Manager (Distributed Energy Resources)

Description

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Austin Energy seeks a Program Manager to lead the implementation and integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Energy Storage Systems across its service territory. This role is responsible for developing policies, processes, and strategies for DER interconnection while managing a team of engineers and analysts. The Program Manager oversees the full DER interconnection lifecycle, from application through commissioning, conducts engineering analysis and load flow modeling for large-scale DER systems and maintains the Distribution Interconnection Guide. Additionally, the position analyzes grid data to inform DER placement, drives integration strategies to ensure compliance with utility objectives, and coordinates with engineering, design, operations, and metering teams to achieve seamless design, integration, and management of DERs on the distribution grid.
This position reports to the Managing Engineer for Operations Engineering and plays a key role in advancing Austin Energy’s distributed energy initiatives.

Job Description:

Advanced Technology Program Manager

Purpose:

Under general direction, manage and technically lead specific Smart Grid, Grid Modernization, and other Austin Energy advanced program(s).

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Leads planning activities to develop short- and long-term strategic plans, roadmaps, and objectives for advanced technologies and programs.
  
• Creates and manages operational budgets for short and long term technology projects and contracts.
  
• Leads cross functional teams to achieve technology initiatives.
  
• Manages existing and future contracts with vendors.
  
• Leads market research activities to identify market trends in technologies and programs.
  
• Produces periodic metrics to measure and improve: systems, projects, vendors, and service provider performance.
  
• Manages assigned matrix resources.
  
• Leverages functionality to identify operational efficiencies to improve customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs.
  
• Produces business cases, including cost versus benefit analysis and Request for Proposal (RFP’s) to support related technologies and initiatives and programs.
  
• Facilitates and leads periodic executive round table and steering committees on related technologies and programs.
  
• Facilitates internal communication, education, and training to staff, and internal and external stakeholders on technologies and programs.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of electric utility operations: generation, transmission, distribution, or other related fields
  
• Knowledge of advanced analytical, mathematical, or programming techniques
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation
  
• Knowledge of applicable processes, engineering principles, data analysis, and application design
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances
  
• Skill in leading and directing personnel in a project and program capacity
  
• Skill in determining needs and gathering, analyzing and presenting data to provide accurate information for management's use
  
• Skill in oral and written business and technical communication including preparation of written reports
  
• Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks and planning and organizing a program
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications
  
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving
  
• Skill in negotiations, program monitoring, and conflict resolution
  
• Skill in conducting presentations on behalf of a public entity
  
• Skill in projecting needs for equipment and personnel and formulating operating budgets
  
• Ability to perform complex analysis, calculations, and problem solving
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities
  
• Ability to direct the timely production of project proposals and agreements
  
• Ability to prepare and evaluate business cases
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business or Engineering related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field, two (2) years of which were in a program or project management capacity.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of distribution system planning, load flow modeling, and interconnection standards.
  
• Experience with DER technologies, energy storage systems, and grid modernization initiatives.
  
• Experience managing technical teams and cross-functional projects.
  
• Experience presenting technical Engineering and DER related concepts in front of technical and non-technical audiences
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices for DER interconnection.
  
• Ability to develop and implement policies, workflows, and technical guidelines.
  
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to collaborate across departments.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Salary:

Commensurate based on qualifications and experience

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Fair Labor Standards Act:

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.
  

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-01-07