Manager Transmission Interconnections

Minimum Pay Rate: $158,059.20 

Maximum Pay Rate: $209,414.40 

Civil Service Status: Civil Service 

Apply by Date: 09/12/2025 

Posting Type: Open 

Application Preparation: As part of the application process, candidates will be required to answer the following questions when submitting their application. "Refer to resume" responses will not be accepted:

1. Please describe your experience working with the serial and cluster study process for transmission interconnections.  What did you find to be the biggest struggles and how did you overcome them? What were your strengths in the process? 
2. Please describe your experience with the entire process for interconnecting renewable assets from creation of the LGIA to testing and turnup.
3. Describe your experience in developing and managing contracts (transmission, LGIA’s and PPA’s).
4. Describe your experience in managing staff and strengthening employee engagement?

Purpose

To provide management, expertise and guidance by negotiating and administrating the Open Access Transmission Tarriff (OATT) and non-OATT interconnection processes. Develops transmission customer relationships and innovative solutions that meet customer needs while adapting to changing regulatory environments, managing risk, and maximizing transmission system utilization.

Nature and Scope

This manager oversees a cross functional team within a broad scope of responsibilities; develops, implements and manages department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in partnership with the Manager Renewable Project Development and Director Transmission, Planning & Operations; selects, trains, motivates, evaluates, and develops staff; and ensures, alongside management peers, that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved. The role is required to attend, present and/or lead at Board, executive, team, customer, community, and one-on-one meetings; in person, as needed. Except as set forth in an acceptable Remote Work Agreement, works onsite during scheduled hours (and outside of scheduled hours as needed) to effectively perform job duties, attend meetings, collaborate with and supervise team members, and support business operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the lifecycle of projects related to interconnections, from initial developer requests through to completion, including Generator and Transmission Interconnection Requests and associated Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Agreements.
• Coordinates and leads project teams, ensuring all projects stay within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Trains and supports Project Managers within the Transmission Planning & Operations department, ensuring project management best practices are followed.
• Provides subject matter expertise in transmission engineering to support interconnection processes.
• Ensures contractual compliance during the construction of transmission projects and addresses any technical challenges.
• Collaborates with engineering teams to assess and integrate new technologies or systems into existing transmission frameworks.
• Manages the process for interconnecting new 3rd party generation to SMUD’s electrical grid, optimizing grid performance and reliability.
• Develops, negotiates, and completes contracts with transmission customers, including utilities and generators, for efficient grid integration.
• Monitors industry trends and regulatory developments related to grid interconnections and OATT, communicating these to relevant stakeholders.
• Manages external relationships with 3rd party developers and technical interconnections to SMUD’s grid
• Assists with the Company's compliance with FERC Orders, FERC Notice of Inquiry (NOI), Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NOPR), and Standards of Conduct (SOC) activities.
• Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.
• Coordinates with other SMUD staff in different departments, including Legal and Government Affairs, to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements; keeps abreast of laws, regulations, and trends in environmental mitigation as they relate to renewable generation projects both in operation and development.
• Serves as inter-departmental liaison in overseeing internal/external department projects by identifying objectives; identifying internal/external project team; developing project plans that include schedule, cost, key work products and milestones; monitoring project progress and completion against plan/contract; revising schedules, scope, expenditures and assignments as warranted; reviewing work products; resolving conflicts and