Position Description

Position Overview:

The Harris County Office of Sustainability seeks a professional, experienced, and highly motivated Asset Development Manager to oversee the development of solar and battery storage projects benefiting low-income households in Harris County as part of the Solar for All program within the Office of County Administration. Harris County is launching this program to bring affordable solar energy to historically underserved communities.

Reporting to the Managing Director for Energy Transition, the Asset Development Manager will lead project planning, partner coordination, and budget management, collaborating with program stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of clean energy solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Development:
- Manage the development of solar assets and battery energy storage systems (BESS), in coordination with an Owner’s Advisor, for the Harris County Community Solar Program, ensuring project schedules, plans, and budgets align with program goals and community needs.
- Coordinate with developers, engineers, contractors, and local utilities on system design, code compliance, and interconnection requirements to ensure successful project implementation.
- Develop comprehensive project performance metrics and risk management strategies, including maintaining detailed risk registers and mitigation plans.
- Attend public meetings as needed and engage with community stakeholders to gather input, address concerns, and build support for the program.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction quality, timeline adherence, and compliance with project specifications and regulations.
- Collaborate with programmatic and administrative teams in Harris County to gather project data and prepare periodic progress reports.
- Stay up to date with changes in federal, state, and local policies that might impact project implementation.
Financial and Contract Management:
- Develop detailed project budgets within grant funding parameters and track expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
- Oversee contractor relationships, implementing performance evaluation systems to ensure quality work and accountability.
- Analyze the financial performance of solar assets and explore innovative operating models (such as Virtual Power Plants) to generate additional revenue streams, optimizing pricing strategies for generated electricity, and maximize community benefits while ensuring program sustainability.
- Assist in the development of a Request for Proposal for Retail Electricity Providers to deliver discounted electricity program to residents.
Adaptability to Policy Changes:
- Stay updated with changes in federal policies related to energy, sustainability, and climate justice to ensure program compliance and adaptability to evolving regulations and funding requirements.
- Monitor changes in state and local policies that might affect project implementation.
- Adapt program design and implementation strategies to leverage emerging opportunities.
Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Capacity Building:
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal departments, staff of elected officials, community organizations, and external partners to advance clean energy, sustainability, and community-centered initiatives.
- Prepare comprehensive progress reports for Commissioners Court and other key stakeholders on Solar for All program performance.
- Contribute to the development of technical assistance resources that address barriers to community solar project completion.
- Support the development of analysts and junior staff through collaboration, coaching, and mentorship.

Other Duties:

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Encouraged Supporting Documents:

Cover letter
Resume

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, business/public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment.
Demonstrated experience with solar PV project deployment and management, preferably in the context of community solar.
Proven experience coordinating diverse internal and external stakeholders and building productive partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate favorable financial and impact-related outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong project management skills with demonstrated success in launching new products, services, or programs.
Knowledge of solar technologies and grid interconnection processes for distributed solar projects (up to 5MW).
Understanding of Texas' competitive energy market, including policies and programs related to distributed solar.
Familiarity with industry requirements and compliance in relation to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) and The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).
Knowledge of federal clean energy tax credits and incentives, including Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC), and other relevant financing mechanisms under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Ability to perform technical research, analyze energy engineering challenges, and recommend practical solutions.
Advanced problem-solving and risk management skills in program operations.
Strong relationship-building with various stakeholders, particularly government agencies, contractors, energy industry partners, and associations.
Proficiency in project management software and tools.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
Strong contract management and negotiation skills.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience with community solar or low-income solar programs.
Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment, preferably in environmental infrastructure projects.
Familiarity with federal funding, procurement processes, and reporting requirements is preferred.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

Regular Full-time
Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

Salary:

Depends on Qualifications
Based on 26 Pay Periods
- Plus, benefits

Reports To Position: Managing Director - Energy Transition
Supervises Positions: N/A

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Harris County

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Asset Development Manager, Solar for All