Senior Project Manager

Minimum Pay Rate: $136,364.80 

Maximum Pay Rate: $180,606.40 

Civil Service Status: Civil Service 

Apply by Date: 08/15/2025 

Posting Type: Open 

 

The Sr. Project Manager of transmission interconnections is responsible for overseeing and managing the planning, development, and implementation of projects related to the interconnection of the bulk electric and sub transmission systems. The Sr. PM plays a critical role in facilitating the reliable and efficient connection of new energy sources to the transmission grid, contributing to the overall stability and growth of the electrical infrastructure. The position is responsible for developing project plans that outline the scope, objectives, timeline, and resources needed for interconnection projects. This includes defining project milestones and deliverables. The Sr. PM is responsible for the execution of the Large Generation Interconnection Agreement and/or the Power Purchase Agreement for third-party developers related to power plants that interconnect with the bulk electric and sub transmission systems. The Sr. PM will act as a liaison between various stakeholders, including SMUD, neighboring utilities, renewable energy developers, governmental agencies, and community organizations, to ensure effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.  The position will understand and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to interconnection agreements, environmental regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. This position will also oversee all areas of construction and commissioning phases of the project, ensuring that safety and quality standards are met. The Sr. PM role will oversee other SMUD PMs assigned to different phases of the execution of these large interconnection projects such as: Substation PM, Transmission Line Design PM, and will perform the functions of the Transmission Planning Operations PM role. In the Operations PM role, the PM will oversee all grid testing, ensure developer has completed all plant side testing and commissioning, market modeling, EMS model, CAISO model,  and operationalizing functions to ensure the project is ready for Permission to Operate and Commercial Operation Date, as necessary. The Sr. PM is responsible for preparing and managing project budgets, ensuring that expenditures are tracked and that projects are completed within financial constraints and to identify potential risks and challenges related to transmission interconnection projects, and develop mitigation strategies to address them.  The Sr PM will monitor project progress against timelines, budget, and prepare regular status reports for stakeholders to keep them informed of the project's progress and any issues that arise and conduct post-project evaluations to analyze the outcomes and identify lessons learned for future projects.  

 

Cover Letter Requirement: To be considered for this position, please ensure your cover letter includes responses to the following questions. Failure to submit the required cover letter may preclude you from moving forward in the process:

1. Describe your experience in managing transmission and distribution power plant interconnection projects from initiation to commercial operation date. 
2. Describe your experience in managing cross functional teams within an organization along with external developers and local agencies. 
3. Describe your experience in managing transmission and distribution interconnection projects through utility testing and operationalizing it to the commercial operation date.
   

Purpose

Provides project management expertise and services in assigned area including to plan, organize, manage, coordinate, and execute activities and projects to ensure adequate, reliable, efficient, and cost effective systems and projects for SMUD.

Nature and Scope

Serves as a technical or functional expert or consultant providing expertise and/or direction in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and developing lower-level personnel.

 

This role typically oversees or leads one or more large, complex projects. Or supervise PMs and a team supporting portfolios. Substations, Data Co-Lo, Large Overhauls Power Generations. Manages enterprise/OAT projects with budgets in excess of $10,000,000.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages activities and projects in assigned area; develops necessary project plans, cost esti