Manager, Grid Edge Computing

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Summary

PGE has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a 5-year, $50 million grant to deploy grid edge computing (GEC) across 10% of its service area at approximately 90,000 locations ("Accelerating and Deploying Grid Edge Computing"). As the primary people manager for this large and complex program, you will oversee and be accountable for the performance of the program delivery team, comprised of technical professionals and program delivery staff. This role will oversee teams executing the planning, design, integration of technical systems, field installation of grid edge computing devices (e.g., meters, collars, sensors, etc.), deployment of software apps, community benefits delivery, and demonstration of key benefits. The total program budget is valued at $115+ million, with a team of 35+ personnel anticipated at its peak across 6 workstreams.

This position will be accountable for providing program vision and technical direction for the program, for all aspects of program people management, and for program delivery executed by the team, including scope, schedule, budget, contracting, reporting, and risk/issue mitigation.

PGE's GEC technology solution includes field grid devices incorporating a high-end computing processor and a suite of software platforms built on advanced analytical models, including artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). The program will use real-time information from edge computing devices to improve visibility of the electrical system, provide operational insights and improve outage response, and ultimately help to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on grid resiliency. Key benefits of the program include clean energy acceleration through distributed energy resource (DER) integration and optimization, more reliable and clean energy for disadvantaged communities (DACs), including 40% deployment in DACs, and AI/ML workforce development.

This is an amazing opportunity to shape the energy future in the Northwest, support our customers, and unlock a multitude of opportunities to transform the electrical grid.

Career Level Summary

Manager, Transmission and Distribution Technical Services (6824)
Grade: 9
Career Level: M2

• Manages professional associates and/or supervisors.

• Is accountable for the performance and results of a team.

• Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.

• Decisions are guided by policies, resources, and business plan; receives moderate guidance from manager.

• Provides subject matter guidance to associates, colleagues, and/or customers.

Key Responsibilities

• General Management: Oversees a team of highly technical supervisors and/or professional employees responsible for transmission and distribution activities, ensuring that objectives are met, and all relevant standards/procedures are followed. Ensures that operational problems are identified and resolved. Provides technical guidance, analysis, and expertise. Ensures compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

• Work Oversight: Manages various technical functions of the assigned area. Establishes staffing plans, work plans, and budgets to ensure resources and programs are in place to effectively manage activities. Determines the extent supplemental labor and/or contractors may be needed for contingencies. Develops and monitors short- and long-range plans and performance metrics. May direct restoration activities during outages.

• Strategy and Planning: In collaboration with other managers, develops overall strategy and vision for teams to ensure power reaches customers in a safe, efficient manner in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Oversees the development of scorecard metrics for teams and implements plans to facilitate employee engagement.

• Project Management: Depending on specialty area(s), may oversee major capital projects with technical or engineering components, including development of scope and success criteria, managing capital budget, procuring resources, and overseeing outsourced work.

• Program Management: May manage or oversee major distribution or transmission operational programs, ensuring programs meet corporate and departmental goals and are adapted to meet emerging needs. Facilitates power delivery to customers in a safe and efficient manner.

• Internal Collaboration: Serves as a technical subject matter expert and provides or directs others to provide input, guidance, and expertise to other departments related to standards, regulations, processes, or resolution to highly technical issues.

• Vendor Management: May develop overall work optimization strategy and determine which programs or tasks to outsource. Oversees vendor selection, establishes metrics and service level agreements, monitors vendor performance, and works with vendors to resolve issues.

• Financial Management: Monitors and manages expenditures, ensuring that all financial targets are met. Assists with defining and operating effective financial controls.

• Resourcing: Oversees resourcing decisions and planning for the team. Partners with HR in defining jobs, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes.

• Professional Development: Reviews organizational development needs and training strategies. Provides guidance in creating development plans, monitors ongoing progress, and provides coaching and feedback.

Qualifications

Education Requires a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, computer science, business, or communications or other related field or equivalent experience. Master's degree preferred.

Experience Typically eight or more years in areas such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), utility IT/OT field deployments, distribution control systems (e.g., EMS, ADMS, DERMS, etc.), or related, with at least three years of leadership experience.

Certifications, Licenses and Training PE and/or PMP certification preferred.

Driver's license Required

Competencies

• Functional Competencies:

• Expert knowledge of the electrical distribution system.

• Advanced knowledge of standards, processes, and procedures related to area(s) of specialization (e.g., engineering standards, electrical standards).

• Expert knowledge of laws and regulations impacting energy transmission and distribution.

• Expert knowledge of processes, procedures, and standards in area(s) of oversight.

• Advanced skills in resolving and addressing employee relations issues.

• Expert knowledge of industry best practices related to distribution.

• Advanced skills in coaching, development, and performance management.

• Advanced knowledge of employment law.

General Competencies:

• Advanced analytical thinking skills.

• Advanced business acumen.

• Advanced knowledge of business process interrelationships.

• Advanced change leadership skills.

• Advanced customer focus skills.

• Advanced decision-making skills.

• Intermediate organizational management skills.

• Advanced organizational and prioritization skills.

• Advanced problem-solving skills.

• Intermediate resource management skills.

• Advanced written and oral communication skills.

Leader Practices:

• Drives Results.

• Plans and Aligns.

• Decision Quality.

• Drives Engagement.

• Courage.

Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).

Cognitive:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks.

• Ability to follow accuracy standards.

• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks.

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.

• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress.

• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change.

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback.

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement.

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks.

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization.

• Demonstrates sound memory.

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to work long hours.

• Ability to work a variable schedule.

• Ability to report to work and perform during periods of severe inclement weather.

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.

• Ability to work shift schedule.

• Ability to work on-call schedule.

Physical Capabilities:

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory

• Computer use: Use computer regularly for the entire work shift.

Environment: Office

#LI-CD1,#LI-Hybrid,#LI-Onsite

PGE supports hybrid flexible work arrangements; and will have a combination of in-the-office and working offsite (local). However, these arrangements may change due to business needs or changes in responsibility.

Compensation Range:

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.comor by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is also available for support. You can contact them at dei@pgn.com.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.