Energy Utility Manager

The County of Solano is seeking an Energy Utility Manager to oversee energy and utility programs, manage a cogeneration plant, and develop renewable energy projects. Responsibilities include ensuring efficient operations, supervising staff, and liaising with utility providers. The ideal candidate should have experience in energy management, leadership skills, and knowledge of energy conservation programs. This position is based in Fairfield, CA, and is not remote.
JOB
THE POSITION

The Energy Utilities Manager for Solano County will join the Senior Management Team for General Services and is responsible for developing, managing and evaluating the County’s energy and utility programs. The candidate is responsible for managing and maintaining Solano County’s investment into green alternative energy sources to ensure efficient and cost-effective energy consumption. This effort includes managing a Cogeneration plant that utilizes three (3) natural gas generators, boilers, and centrifugal chillers to provide energy and hot/chilled water to the downtown Fairfield campus. The County is in the process of making additional significant investments by constructing new solar systems (total PV 3,360.7 kW) at three (3) major campuses as well as five (5) other buildings; upgrading existing solar systems at three (3) buildings, developing microgrids for resiliency at five (5) County campus locations, which include solar, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), generators and hardware and software to operate safely when grid power is unavailable (total BESS 685.2 kW/7,610.4 kWh); and installing a total of twenty seven (27) dual port electrical vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) distributed at four (4) major campuses as well as five (5) other buildings.

The Energy Utility Manager will serve as the liaison for all County utility providers and will ensure compliance with Clean Air Management Districts. The candidate will work closely with leadership and other departments on reducing energy and utility cost and usage through contract negotiations and system improvements. The candidate must demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills and will serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external customers.

Key responsibilities of the Energy Utility Manager include:
• Guarantee efficient operations for County’s energy and utilities management programs;
• Support administrative efforts of the County’s energy management, operations and conservation programs;
• Supervise the cogeneration plant’s mechanic and engineer staff; facility operations and equipment services staff; and outside service providers;
• Support and ensure compliance with County and Department policies and procedures including those related to equal opportunity and to safety

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Energy Utility Manager is a key member of the Department of General Services’s Energy/Utility Division and the Department’s management team. The ideal candidate has knowledge of energy and utility programs, including energy planning, acquisition, conservation and monitoring, utility genera-tion and purchasing, as well as energy conservation grants and rebate programs; Cogeneration plant experience is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have a proven leadership record, and compre-hensive experience that has led to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to lead the County’s energy and utility programs.

The Energy Utility Manager operates with a high level of initiative and independent judgment, and has the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks often with conflicting deadlines and priorities; the incumbent must demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills and will serve as a pri-mary point of contact for internal and external customers. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of supervisory experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required; coursework in energy management, environmental planning or sciences, engineering or a field related to the technical functions of the class is highly desirable
Minimum 3 years experience in energy program/management operations; 1 year in staff lead or supervisory capacity
CA Driver’s License, Class C required; desirable certifications: energy auditing, management or resources; project management or leadership; governmental budgeting, grant-writing or communications.