Vice President, Power Production

Austin, TX, United States

Minimum Qualifications Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to Engineering or Business, plus seven (7) years of related electric utility experience, including five (5) years of experience in a managerial capacity.

Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

Notes to Applicants

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, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

To review a detailed recruitment profile for this role, please click here.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Regarding Your Application: A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.

Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.

Employment history dates must include month and year.

This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).

To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by March 22, 2024 . To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.

This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the technical expertise of natural gas and biomass technologies. The next VP of Power Production must understand trends in electric power generation and innovative fuel sources.

The following core competencies are essential for this role: Technical expertise in the field of power generation, specific to natural gas ( CCGT & GTs) & biomass technologies

Must understand existing power generation technologies and be able to lead Austin Energy to the adoption of future technologies from an operational perspective.

Experience with or knowledge of renewable energy, thermal energy, alternative fuel technologies, battery storage, geothermal, fuel cells, and small modular reactors..

Technical expertise in battery storage

Experience with power production in a public or private utility

Familiarity with decommissioning power-generating assets

Experience with or ability to learn On-Site Energy Resources (also known as District Energy Cooling)

Experience with organized wholesale electricity markets

Strong leadership and development capabilities with business acumen

Demonstrated ability to instill a culture of safety and compliance.

Demonstrated experience using an equity lens and framework to create inclusive and diverse community initiatives and programs.

Demonstrated experience leading and implementing strategies and resolving complex escalations in a business environment.

Ability to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

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.

Ensures the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of Austin Energy's generation, combined heat & power, and chilled water plants in compliance with all State, Federal, and Local rules, operating guides, standards, and laws.

Bears responsibility for the acquisition and/or construction of new energy supply projects/facilities and decommissioning of power production assets.

Ensures safe and efficient operation of power-generating facilities, including the Sand Hill Energy Center and the Decker Creek Power Station.

Ensures effective oversight and management of jointly-owned generating facilities, including the South Texas Nuclear Project and Fayette Power Project.

Ensures effective maintenance strategies and operation of the generation facilities. Closely aligns strategy development with the Energy Market Operations team to assure management of power supply adjustment costs.

Bears responsibility for the commercial success of the On-Site Energy Resources Program, to include recruitment and retention of customer base, efficient management of resources, revenue growth, cost management, and thermal energy storage growth.

Ensures compliance with all safety, reliability and environmental standards and requirements.

Promotes confidence and public trust through communications and actions. Communicates and understands legislative, regulatory and industry trends impacting Power Production initiatives.

Develops and monitors Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Capital budgets, and responds to any deviations from the approved cost/timeline projections.

Develops and implements business plans that promote completion of the overall City of Austin business/strategic plans and initiatives. Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing workforce, including management and senior professional staff, to ensure completion of assigned goals and objectives.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities: 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 utility finance, high value asset utilization, and regulatory/legislative issues.

Knowledge of electric utility processes, practices, issues, and policies.

Knowledge of generation theories, plans, and models.

Knowledge of wholesale energy market and transmission risk management rules, operations, and strategies.

Knowledge of plant operations and the management of power production systems, including combustion turbines, natural gas steam turbines, coal-fired steam turbines, nuclear generating stations, closed loop cooling systems, and large-scale renewable assets such as wind turbines, biomass, and utility scale solar.

Knowledge of power market demand and supply.

Knowledge of ERCOT operating guides and protocols.

Knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation ( NERC ) Standards.

Knowledge of quality management methods and ability to implement change and performance goals for continuous improvement.

Knowledge of evolving energy markets and need to provide generation at competitive market price.

Skill in diversity management.

Skill in assessing industry trends and responding to industry pressures.

Ability to assimilate and act timely on conflicting, incomplete, and disparate information to meet overall objectives.

Ability to coach and develop subordinate staff.

Ability to understand and explain complex issues to non-utility stakeholders.

Ability to meet financial and performance objectives.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA

The 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.

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.

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