Distributed Energy Resources Manager

Job Summary

The Distributed Energy Resource manager role is responsible for creating and implementing processes, procedures, workflows, policies, and framework to build, recruit, train, and lead the DER group for Loveland's Electric Utility Division. The DER group is responsible for the interconnection, integration, and management of both physical and virtual DERs at the distribution grid level including utility and customer-owned assets. This role directly performs and oversees a variety of professional, technical, administrative, and supervisory duties to create and assemble the DER portfolio and it's programs. This position reports to the Electric Utility Division Manager.

The salary range for this position is $111,019 to $160,978 annually, with a hiring range of $111,019 to $135,999 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

This opportunity will be available until the position is filled.

A resume and cover letter are required.

The DER manager is an integral leader within the City of Loveland Electric Utility who will help shape the future of renewable energy and climate action in our community. This position is responsible for leading the Electric Utility’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) team that performs the strategic planning, design, and implementation of DER systems and programs; it supports Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and owner communities’ vision to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030. This position is responsible for operationalizing the Electric Utility’s DER Vision and Mission, which includes implementation of a virtual power plant (VPP), flexible customer DER programs, and increasing the number and efficiency of DER interconnections, while ensuring the reliable operation of Loveland’s distribution system. This position will also collaborate with PRPA and the owner communities to participate in an organized energy market and to support alignment of our wholesale and retail energy rate structures.

Please view our video Working at Loveland to learn more about our exceptional Loveland community and the benefits of working for the City.

Essential Functions

• Oversee and manage a consolidated interconnection application and review process for DERs requesting to connect to the distribution grid.
• Coordinate DER participation and resource deployment with Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and the Owner Communities (OC) consisting of Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park to maximize benefit and synchronize with broader PRPA and energy market renewable resources.
• Collaborate inter-departmentally with electrical engineering, design, operations, and metering to coordinate the design, integration, and management of DERs as they are connected to the distribution grid.
• Create, implement, and manage future flexible DER programs for participation in Loveland Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and joint PRPA VPP programming.
• Collaborate inter-departmentally with customer relations and marketing to coordinate energy efficiency and DER goals, create energy efficiency programs, initiatives, customer engagement, community education, and stakeholder education.
• Collaborate inter-departmentally with utility application services and third-party consultants to identify needed technology requirements to manage a diverse portfolio of DER assets.
• Collaborate inter-departmentally with utility billing, and finance to ensure electric rate tariffs, price signals, flexible DER programs and associated rebates, and other financial tools are implemented to support DER portfolio customers and utility customers.
• Collaborate with staff including Division Manager to write management policies and plans to support implementation of the portfolio to meet defined environmental, governmental, financial, reliability, safety, and equity criteria.
• Respond to citizen, employee, and City Council inquiries, complaints, and requests regarding DER programs and integration.
• Provide reports and recommendations to management, Loveland Utilities Commission, and City Council on renewable energy, battery storage, and resource and program management.
• Establish and monitor metrics that track the capacity and effectiveness of the DER programs and portfolio related to its ability to achieve the goal for dispatchable energy per PRPA’s guidance.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to meet the overarching goal to complete a Citywide Climate Action Plan.
• Analyze and forecast DER resource mix to identify and pursue elements that may require additional resources, and control systems, both physical and virtual.
• Coordinate with electric engineering system modeling for flow, dynamics, and contingencies related to DER hosting capacity and deployment.
• Provide leadership and recommendations to achieve operational goals.
• Provides direct supervision to engineering and technical staff to ensure accountability to department and organizational goals and objectives.
• Build and grow DER group to support DER programs and portfolio management including technical support and engineering roles, as well as efficiently process interconnection requests.
• Provide direction and support to engineering staff for interconnection related inquires and associated system impact studies for DERs.
• Provide coaching and leadership cross functionally across various departments to support DER customer requirements and inquiries.
• Champions and embodies the Electric Utility Division’s mission, vision, values, and culture.
• Perform other duties as required.

Other Job Functions

• Prepare RFP/RFQ, negotiation and contracting for new renewable energy resources, tools and technologies to enhance and supplement the DER portfolio.
• Manage consulting contracts and contractors with environmental and engineering firms.
• Lead assigned stakeholder engagement processes, task forces, and development of public policy to support initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance, customer education, and information regarding renewable energy rates, reliability, safety, and energy efficiency as related to portfolio management.
• Solicit, prepare, and administer grants.
• Develop and revise tools to improve the accuracy, efficiency and reporting of audit and analysis processes.
• Provide oversight and coordinate relationships with program partners, vendors, and contractors. This may include oversight of contract staff activities.
• Conduct research regarding best practices and grid transformation principles.

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, mathematics, business, environmental science, or related field from an accredited college or university. An equivalent combination of education and or experience may substitute for education requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Required Experience: A minimum of five (5) years related experience required, preferably working in the electric utility sector with virtual and physical renewable energy resources.

Preferred Experience:

• • Prior experience in municipal utility setting.
  • Previous leadership or supervisory experience.

Licensure and/or certifications: Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Electric utility experience and knowledge including engineering practices and procedures, distribution, transmission or generation dispatch operations, distributed generation, energy storage, electrification, one or more categories of DER, including DER communications and telemetry technologies, standards and protocols, DERMS and/or virtual power plant (VPP) technology, related utility systems, such as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), meter data management systems (MDMS), customer information systems (CIS) and advanced distribution management systems (ADMS), NERC and FERC requirements, specifically FERC Order 2222
  and 841, fundamentals of energy management, electric industry standards related to energy consumption analysis, demand-side management, and commercial/residential operations.
• Program and project management experience including platform-based management, reporting, KPI measurement and verification.
• Skills related to development of workflow processes and polices to track progress and drive projects forward.
• Computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics software, global positioning, and GIS software.
• Skills related to development of maps, graphics, and other visual materials in support of management needs.
• Communicate effectively in all formats with a variety of recipients.
• Deliver effective presentations to groups of varying size and interests.
• Math skills related to energy consumption and rate calculations.
• Exceptional customer service principles and processes.
• Skillfully plan, organize, direct, and manage various projects, administer policies and procedures, coordinating inter-organizational systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships both internal and external.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies of the electric utility industry.

Physical Demands

Frequent: Light to moderate physical effort that includes frequent standing or walking or maintaining arms and hands in the same position for repetitive tasks. Frequently works with light objects and light hand tools.

Working Environment

Frequent: Exposure to routine office noise and equipment.
Occasional: Exposure to hazards typically found in general office environments where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

City of Loveland job descriptions are designed to describe the general nature and level of work necessary to perform well in the job; they are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, and qualifications. City of Loveland job descriptions may be updated periodically, and additional activities, duties or responsibilities may be assigned by management as deemed appropriate.

With over 300 days of sunshine, and just 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park in the heart of northern Colorado, Loveland is an ideal community for anyone to call home. Known as the Sweetheart City, this vibrant cultural hub is home to nearly 500 sculptures and public art installations, the world-famous Valentine Remail Program, and picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains. The community is bustling with a thriving arts, brewery, foodie, and shopping scene. Enjoy headliner concert and theatre productions, professional hockey events, endless community recreation and open space opportunities, art and sculpture shows, and several local festivals. Loveland also boasts an award-winning golf course and an inclusive library and community center. Loveland, Colorado has EVERYTHING YOU LOVE!

In 2020, Loveland was the only Colorado City to win the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence, is the top residential recycling City in the state for 4 consecutive years and has been ranked as one of the top places to live, work and raise a family in the U.S. and as one of the Most Idyllic Picturesque towns in America.

Apply today to join more than 800 employees who work to meet the core values of: Accountability & Integrity, Transparency & Honoring the Public Trust, Collaboration, Innovation, Safety, Excellent Service with Courtesy and Kindness. The City of Loveland is a diverse and welcoming community organization, and our employees enjoy a competitive benefits program, various opportunities for growth and development, and an exceptional work-life balance.

A vibrant community, surrounded by natural beauty, where you belong!

Benefits Information

Benefit Eligible Benefits Package Includes:

• Two (2) Medical plans, Dental, Vision (for self/ spouse/ children)
• A Dedicated, exclusive Employee Health and Wellness Center
• Discounted Chilson Center passes
• Paid vacation, holidays, floating holidays, and medical leave
• Flexible spending including Dependent Care
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term disability, and voluntary Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement 401a, 457, Roth (pre-& post tax) and company match
• A Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary 529 College Invest program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Personal and Professional Development opportunities
• Employee Recognition Program
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Market based pay & regular performance reviews
• Local Government employment is eligible for Public Loan Forgiveness Program

The City of Loveland provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

The City of Loveland participates in E-Verify. In accordance with E-Verify requirements, upon your date of hire the City of Loveland will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. E-Verify Notice of Participation. Learn more about your right to work. Visit E-Verify.gov for more information.

Hybrid Remote Work Eligibility: This position may be eligible for up to two days per week working remotely. Probationary employees (within the first six months of employment) may not be eligible. Subject to change based on business needs and performance expectations.

Employment offers will be conditional on the successful completion of a driving record and criminal history background check.

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• City of Loveland

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