Delivery System Planning-Equity Prog Manager

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is looking for an Equity Program Manager to join our System Planning Organization. As PSE modernizes our energy delivery system to support clean energy transformation, we are looking for an Equity Program Manager that will lead and champion the design, planning, and application of equity parameters into decision-making processes for transmission and distribution (T&D) planning for PSE's electric and natural gas energy delivery systems.

The Equity Program Manager will lead efforts to ensure delivery system planning processes, policies, and practices meet regulatory requirements related to equity, and that input from external engagement is incorporated into decision processes. The successful candidate will need to interface with a diverse set of teams across PSE and the community, including tribal, non-profit, environment, equity, and social justice organizations to guide the incorporation of energy equity into T&D planning.

There will be opportunities to coach and guide the PSE system planning organization in all aspects of equity integration and develop training for credible, authentic, and successful engagement with external parties. There will also be opportunities to manage equity-related activities of delivery system planning processes to ensure compliance with rate case settlement agreements and orders, and to ensure these activities are implemented within required timeframes. 

This position is responsible for upholding the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities, as well as promoting and supporting a culture of total safety.

Additionally, the person in this role will demonstrate a commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct, and ensure duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.
 

Job Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a roadmap for integration of equity considerations into the delivery system planning process and manages implementation in compliance with settlement agreements, rate case orders, and other regulatory policies.
• Interfaces (develops and maintains relationships) with other PSE teams to coordinate equity activities and maintain alignment of delivery system planning equity processes and procedures with those used by other organizations. Coordination with other groups may include the energy equity team, resource planning, corporate financial planning of CAPEX and OPEX budgets, operations, product and service development, customer service, energy efficiency programs, customer outreach, community engagement, government relations, rates and regulatory, as well as others. 
• Defines and facilitates internal and external engagement in coordination with broader PSE efforts, teams, and forums, collecting input through defined collaborative processes, and integrating feedback into planning tools and process, including feedback that builds trust. 
• Facilitates discussion with interested parties possessing a wide variety of educational and employment backgrounds, including public forums in both verbal and written forms, with the intent of seeking meaningful input to guide equity considerations in delivery system planning processes.
• Develops and delivers training to increase capacity of system planning personnel to seek external input into planning processes, and to gain better understanding of our community equity needs for incorporation into planning decisions.
• Facilitates planning outcomes that ensure equity elements are sustained throughout the execution of project and programs.
• Leads development of KPIs for transparency and measurement of equity considerations and benefits.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, engineering, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of experience at a regulated utility in planning, engineering, communications, customer service and/or in an organization primarily focused on energy equity.
• Demonstrated experience in applying principles related to energy equity, environmental and/or social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainability, or related fields.
• Ability to create effective partnerships at all levels of the organization.
• Experience engaging with a variety of diverse communities.
• Experience in leading, influencing, and engaging in cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to engage with communities at their preferred locations and times including evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Proven project management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Desired Qualifications

• Project Management certification (accredited institution for PMI).
• Familiarity with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum for Public Participation.
• Familiarity with benefit cost analysis (BCA) and distributional equity analysis (DEA) principles. 
• Familiarity with electric and natural gas transmission and distribution system planning processes. 

Additional Information