Manager, Hydro Licensing

~ Chelan County Public Utility District (Chelan PUD) is a public power leader, the complex and progressive nature of PUD operations offer a unique mix of challenges and opportunities. We rely on the mighty Columbia River for much of our hydropower generation and we're proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship as related to this great river system. ~

Each year we dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of hydropower operations, we've also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year.

Chelan County PUD is located in Wenatchee at the geographical center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. Wenatchee is the fourth-safest small city in the nation and was rated by Sunset Magazine as one of the top 20 Western DREAM TOWNS and by Forbes in 2017 as one of the top 25 places to retire, Wenatchee is a recreational paradise.

Position Overview

Job Purpose:

The Manager, Hydro Licensing oversees the FERC license implementation and relicensing activities for the District including preparation of all FERC relicensing materials and strategic planning. This position manages the work of license specialists(s) and senior license specialist(s), relicensing Project Managers, consultants and legal advisors as well as serves as the principal contact between the District and federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to ensure accurate and efficient flow of information and cooperation for the relicensing process.

Responsibilities

1. 35% Supervision: Manages License Specialist(s), Senior License Specialist(s), Relicensing Project Manager(s), and technical consultants. Responsible for Rocky Reach, Rock Island, and Lake Chelan license implementation to meet compliance with federal license requirements, and directing the relicensing team to ensure the Rock Island Project completes a timely and successful relicensing process. Responsible for the work products associated with relicensing, which includes application documents, study plans, overarching relicensing schedule and budgets, settlement agreements, and development of environmental resource management plans. Assures development and training of Licensing and Relicensing staff to optimize their talents and contributions, facilitates succession planning.
2. 25 % Policy Guidance & Communications: Provides policy guidance and senior level communication regarding relicensing and license implementation ensuring timely preparation of acceptable license and relicensing materials and completion of implementation and compliance activities and relicensing goals and objectives. Regularly reports progress of implementation to senior management, appropriate external parties, and FERC as required for compliance with the Project License requirements.
3. 25% Planning, Scheduling & Coordination: Works at Department and Business Unit level to assure business planning, risk management, and internal coordination regarding implementation of license requirements and relicensing agreements. Oversees project schedules, budget accountability, and expenditures associated with relicensing, implementation and compliance.
4. 15% Regulatory Oversight & Relationships: Oversees and provides guidance to relicensing and license implementation staff on how to address federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to ensure the accurate and efficient flow of information and positive cooperation for specific projects. This position is the "public face" for the license and relicensing activities and develops strong, positive relationships within a broad range of stakeholders and other District Departments. Interact with agencies, non-government organizations, Tribes, and the public to establish and convene resource forums to share information, coordinate efforts, and make recommendations. Engages in regular public speaking activities and stakeholder interactions. Negotiates with agencies to establish the scope of study plans; protection; mitigation and enhancement plans; and the license terms and conditions.
5. EF Ongoing Maintain regular and predictable attendance. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (B.S., B.A.) from a college or university; or the equivalent and at least 10 years experience managing large complex projects.
• FERC hydropower licensing experience preferred.
• Proven experience working with regulatory agencies preferred.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge about most areas of hydropower operations because relicensing and license compliance involves issues related to engineering, operations, environment, intergovernmental affairs, finance, and community affairs.
• Specific technical knowledge related to engineering and design of hydropower facilities, environmental issues, state and federal regulations, and economics.
• Knowledge of the regulatory, legal and political forces that drive project license compliance and relicensing by a public agency.
• Knowledge of basic finance, accounting, and budgeting methods are important. Must have familiarity with basic computer applications and the Internet.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of regulatory and political processes.

Skills:

• Strong managerial skills required. Must be able to establish performance goals, evaluate progress towards the goals and provide feedback to staff and senior management. Coaching is an important element to help staff achieve desired outcomes.
• Must possess strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, negotiation, and managerial skills.
• Effective written and oral presentation skills are required to effectively communicate with various public groups, stakeholders, the media, management, leaders, and District employees.
• Ability to translate complex issues and technical information to common lay terms is necessary.

Abilities:

• Ability to work with direct reports, senior managers, and other District personnel and outside consultants to establish strategically consistent actions and responses to current and emerging issues in project relicensing, compliance and implementation.
• Ability to allocate decision-making authority and other responsibilities to staff and establish effective measures to monitor developments and performance.
• Ability to provide vision and lead relicensing efforts.
• Ability to work with direct reports, other District staff, and outside consultants to successfully complete relicensing and license implementation activities.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve policy issues and gain agreements with outside entities.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex issues in public settings.
• Ability to serve as a connection to senior management and identify issues to make sure issues are addressed before they become problems.
• Ability to understand and critique technical information
• Capable of balancing multiple projects and respond quickly and appropriately to changing conditions.
• Ability to define problems clearly and develop recommendations for resolution. Must possess the ability to gather information, through questioning and investigation, interpret and analyze that information for decision-making relevant to organizational issues, trends, and objectives.

Compensation

• In addition to a competitive salary range of $111,750 - $149,000 (based on qualifications, skills and abilities).
• Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include the option of a zero cost medical plan, short and long-term disability, Washington State Public Employee's Retirement System, Deferred Compensation (with company matching funds up to 5%), 11 holidays and initial personal leave accrual at 21 days per year. 

Chelan PUD is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. M/F/Vet/Disabled.