Energy Contract Manager - Oahu

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.

Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

Posting End Date:  at 11:59PM HST

BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:

The P IC ENERGY CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Department of the P RENEWABLE ACQUISITION Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)

JOB FUNCTION:

Manages the functions and activities for the development, evaluation, negotiation and administration of energy power purchase agreements under the Energy Contract Management Department.  This includes: Competitive Bidding, Feed in Tariff, Bilateral Negotiations, etc. for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. Manages policies with currently contracted Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. Serves as the team lead for multi-disciplinary groups for the development of and in the 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 with, and directed toward, 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 accurate and effective execution of power purchase agreements.  Collaborates with technical subject matter experts 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:

• Negotiates and administers power purchase agreements between Independent Power Producers, Co-generators, and Qualifying Facilities for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. 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.
• 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 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.
• Plans, develops, and coordinates the acquisition of renewable energy resources through requests for proposals, power purchase contract negotiations, and other competitive procurement mechanisms for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. 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 internal 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.
• 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 Contract Management Department. Develops, implements, and administers policies and procedures to support Division’s mission and vision and corporate goals and strategies. Provides technical assistance to other departments, subsidiaries, and consultants. Substitutes for Manager in his/her absence. 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 Contract Management 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.
• Thorough knowledge of personal computers, cloud-based and/or related software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and project management.

Skills Requirements

• Motivated self-starter with the 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, oral, listening, and presentation, platform communication, and 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.
• 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 a regulatory proceeding of the PUC is desirable but not required.
• Understanding of generation resource planning methodologies including the integration of supply and demand-side resources.   
• Understanding of various renewable energy technologies and their relative advantages and disadvantages when integrating with utility grids.
• 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.
• 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: 1 

Location: Honolulu – Oahu

Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Energy Contract Manager - O`ahu [Req ID 9441] position is $105,600.00 to $137,100.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications. 

About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.

The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.

Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.

Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.

EEO Statement
Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. We actively seek diversity among our employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity/expression), ancestry/national origin, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, or other protected categories in accordance with state and federal laws. We further encourage individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.

Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.

Affiliate Disclaimer
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light (“Company”) are Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) regulated companies. The disclosure relating to Affiliate Transaction Requirements that follows is made pursuant to the PUC’s Decision and Order No. 35962, issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019 in Docket No. 2018-0065.

By submitting your application, you understand and acknowledge that, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate, said Affiliate will be required to make a one-time payment to the Company in an amount up to twenty-five percent (25%) of your base annual compensation.  

In addition, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate or an Affiliate-Related Entity, for a period of one year, you cannot appear in negotiations or otherwise interact directly with the Company or work on the same matter that you worked on while with the Company. 

Affiliate is defined as “any person or entity that possesses an ‘affiliate interest’ in a utility as defined by section 269-19.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), including a utility’s parent holding company, except as otherwise provided by HRS section 269-19.5(h).”

Affiliate-Related Entity is defined as “a third party that provides electricity-related services in a regulated utility’s service territory that has a material financial, operational, or ownership interest with an unregulated affiliate of the utility and of whom the utility has reasonable knowledge.” 

For a current list of all Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities, please see:
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/about-us/key-performance-metrics/financial/affiliate-transactions

This list may be amended, updated or revised from time to time without notice.