Project Manager, Renewable Energy Resources

hawaiianel•Honolulu, HI

2d•$99,900 - $113,700•Onsite

About The Position

The P QA ADMIN - RENEWABLE ACQUISITION Department of the P RENEWABLE ACQUISITION Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. This role leads cross-functional teams to effectively implement the interconnection of independent power producers (IPPs) for the service territories on Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island pursuant to PUC and executive steering group expectations. The position plans, organizes, and manages program/project scope, schedule, and costs for the interconnection of IPPs. It manages projects from conceptualization/inception through budgeting, design, permits and regulatory approvals, land/ Rights of Way support, public and stakeholder communications, procurement, construction, placement in operation, and project closeout.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration or related field.
Advanced knowledge of project management principles, and engineering and construction practices in the transmission and distribution and/or generation fields, normally acquired through college-level training and/or equivalent experience.
Working knowledge of renewable energy technologies, both commercial and emerging, and their utility scale applications.
Working knowledge of resource planning, transmission planning, distribution planning, renewable energy planning, and the design, and permitting, and construction of interconnection facilities.
Working knowledge of utility regulation, PUC investigative dockets, and rate cases.
Working knowledge of personal computers, cloud-based and related software applications to include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, data bases, and project management such as MS Project, UI Planner, Ellipse/DARS, Microsoft Word, Excel, SAP etc.
Working knowledge of commonly used terms and conditions of contracts and the elements of a contract.
Working knowledge of company budgeting and forecasting systems and procedures.
Working knowledge of LEAN continuous improvement principles and best practices to achieve operational excellence.
Knowledge of safety principles and best practices to achieve a safe workplace environment.
Leadership skills and abilities to work with a variety of individuals occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues in a professional manner while using tact, courtesy and discretion.
Self-starter with the analytical and organizational skills and drive to successfully manage multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines in a timely and effective manner with minimal day-to-day direction required.
Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and to adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills to influence and persuade various groups and individuals.
Ability to establish long-range outcomes and specify strategies and actions necessary to achieve objectives; ability to analyze risks, benefits and opportunities of strategies.
Ability to innovate by searching for new ways to improve existing processes or systems; addresses gaps by creating innovative and unique solutions.
Strong written, oral and presentation skills. Strong written skills, including clear, comprehensive, and succinct communications for a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
Demonstrated analytical and administrative skills required for such tasks as carrying out company/department policies and procedures.
Analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various complex ideas, projects, and programs.
Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy.
Multiple (5-7) years of relevant experience in the utility industry including project management, supervision of a project management, engineering, planning, design or operations group.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in related field preferred.
Demonstrated experience with the IRS models and analysis preferable.
Experience in preparing and providing testimony before public agencies, or at governmental or public meetings is desirable.
Experience in preparing and providing testimony in a regulatory proceedings of the PUC preferable.
Project Management Professional Certification and/or State of Hawaii Professional Engineer License preferred.
Several (3-5) years of experience in renewable technology acquisition preferred.
A few (1-2) years of experience with the design, construction, and start-up of renewable generation and T&D systems preferred.
Experience with the regulatory, social, public affairs (neighborhood boards, community groups, government agencies, political leaders, media, etc.) processes involved with land use issues.
Few (1-3) years of leadership experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Ensures required work is justified, reasonable, cost-effective, and timely to meet the delivery of contract commitments.
Manages policies with contracted Independent Power Producers, Co-generators, and Qualifying Facilities for each service area.
Provides recommendations and training on technical issues which require the integration of knowledge and expertise in all areas of renewable energy resources.
Supports the development of and maintains a project management filing system to file historical data (e.g., costs, schedule, and work scope) and new policies, agreements, and standards created to interconnect IPPs.
Plans, organizes, and manages program/project tasks associated with scoping, budgeting, design, approvals, procurement support, construction coordination, placement in operation, and project closeout activities related to the interconnection of IPPs, as applicable to the role.
Serves as the focal point for program/project matters and is responsible for meeting project-related objectives for scope, schedule, cost, quality, and safety.
Responsible for implementing the overall Renewable Energy plan for interconnection of IPPs, which includes scoping, scheduling, budgeting, PUC application development and testimony support (e.g., overhead line approvals), engineering coordination, technical standards development, and program implementation consistent with the Renewable Energy strategy through project commercial operation.
Provides project leadership and work direction and secures commitment from team members in meeting project milestones; ensures team members have the resources, information, and direction necessary to successfully perform their responsibilities and deliver required work products.
Develops and maintains program/project schedules. Prepares and presents on the progress internally and externally, as required.
Provides leadership and strategic recommendations on all issues related to the implementation of the Renewable Energy plans for interconnection of IPPs, consistent with the overall Renewable Energy strategy and standards.
Develops strategies and implementation plans to achieve program/project goals, including early identification of risks, constraints, and potential problem areas; drives timely resolution and as needed, redirects planning, design, purchasing, permits/approvals, and/or construction execution to prevent or minimize impacts to schedule, cost, and commitments.
Serves as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders including IPP representatives, community groups, neighborhood boards, government agencies, the media, other utilities and private companies, the City Council, the State Legislature, and the Public Utilities Commission to disseminate information, address concerns, obtain permits and approvals, and resolve project-related issues; prepares and/or supports presentations and testimony as required for internal strategic meetings, public meetings, and regulatory proceedings.
Reviews and analyzes status from the cross-functional team and prepares/presents program/project progress and cost reports to managers, directors, executives, and external stakeholders, as required.
Works with internal partners (e.g., Regulatory Affairs, Budgets, Management Accounting & Financial Services, Community Relations, Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Legal, Energy Delivery, and others) in obtaining approvals.
Leads and implements LEAN continuous improvement best practices to enhance and achieve operational excellence with a safety mindset.
Assists with the Renewable Energy strategy for the interconnection of IPPs and acts as a point of contact with key individuals both inside and outside of the company in the interest of joint problem solving, coordination and ensuring technical, political and regulatory developments.
Provides project leadership and work direction within a cross-functional environment and secures commitment from team members in meeting program/project milestones.
Ensures decisions and actions related to the interconnection of IPPs which directly and significantly impact the financial integrity and ability of the company to provide renewable projects to commercial operation and that may affect credibility and/or liability of the company in the areas of operational safety, environmental compliance, public and regulatory relations are implemented.
Conducts or supports field coordination and inspections of construction activities/sites as necessary to verify execution aligns with scope, standards, and safety requirements.
Provides support to the Renewable Energy Resources operational team to ensure the strategic philosophy is carried through in planning, prioritizing, organizing, implementation, and execution in interconnection of IPPs.
Ensures that team members have all resources, information, and direction necessary to successfully bring PPAs to commercial operation; informs team members of their roles, communicates project information, and obtains their support in meeting program/project goals.
Identifies potential problem areas early on and supports the development and implementation of strategies to meet program/project goals as needed. Supports redirection of planning, design, purchasing, permits/approvals, and/or construction coordination activities to prevent or minimize constraints or actions which may delay schedules or add costs.
Manages, directs, investigates and/or researches utility best practices related to renewable energy. Remains informed on political, regulatory, technical advances/innovation and progress related to functional area. Update technical interconnection requirements for future RFPs.
Prepares, reviews and may deliver expert testimony, presentations, and other documents filed with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or other external agencies such as the State Legislature pertaining to renewable energy initiatives.
Supports the communication of the Renewable Energy strategy and initiatives in community outreach efforts; works with and through community groups, neighborhood boards, government agencies, the media, other utilities and private companies, and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to disseminate information, address concerns, obtain permits and approvals, and resolve project-related issues.
Works with Regulatory Affairs, Management Accounting & Financial Services, Community Relations, Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Legal, Energy Delivery departments, and others in obtaining approvals. Obtains or supports obtaining Company authorizations for expenditures for engineering, materials, and construction, as applicable to the role. Coordinates and supports review/approval of procurement activities supporting program permitting, design, materials, and construction.
Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.