Biomass Project Development Manager

$115,934 - $173,322/Yr

San Juan Water District - Rocklin, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Rocklin, CA

Utilities

About the position

The Project Development Manager at San Juan Water District plays a crucial role in the development of biomass facilities, engaging with a variety of stakeholders including developers, feedstock providers, financing agencies, and public institutions. This position requires a high level of responsibility and independence, as the manager will represent Pioneer Community Energy in various interactions and negotiations. The role encompasses the entire lifecycle of biomass project development, from initial site selection to operational management, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. Key responsibilities include managing contractors, vendors, and consultants to optimize project timelines and value. The Project Development Manager will also be responsible for effective communication across different teams, including procurement, legislative, and legal departments, to mitigate project risks. The manager will need to identify and implement innovative project development strategies that can reduce permitting risks and enhance project value. Additionally, the role involves facilitating development services agreements with local partners and exploring financing options during the financial feasibility analysis phase. The position requires travel to various site locations for meetings with landowners and community engagement, as well as ensuring compliance with environmental regulations throughout the project lifecycle. The Project Development Manager will also coordinate with regional resource planning agencies and contribute to project interconnection requests and load-flow studies. This role is pivotal in utilizing BioMAT and FIT programs for biomass projects, ensuring that all aspects of project development align with long-term financial projections and resource needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop biomass power generation facilities within California.
• Manage and support all aspects of biomass project development from initial site selection through operations.
• Manage contractors, vendors, and consultants to maintain project timeline and value optimization.
• Communicate and sync cross-functionally with developers, procurement team, legislative/regulatory, and legal team members to minimize project risks.
• Identify, propose, and implement creative or alternative project development approaches that reduce exposure to permitting risks, optimize development schedules, or drive additional project value.
• Manage and facilitate development services agreements with local or regional development partners.
• Work with developers on exploring project funds and financing alternatives during financial feasibility analysis, evaluation, and during the project debt and tax equity financing processes.
• Travel to site locations to meet with landowners and evaluate sites.
• Engage the community, local, state, and federal institutions for project support.
• Help secure permits and ensure environmental compliance throughout the development, construction, and operation of projects.
• Coordinate and provide input to project interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other necessary aspects of securing project transmission.
• Maintain liaison with regional resource planning or supply agencies; serve on Pioneer committees as required; evaluate proposals in terms of resource costs, availability and consistency with long-term financial projections and resource needs.
• Work with Pioneer legislative/regulatory staff in utilizing BioMAT and FIT programs for biomass projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a technical or business discipline such as Engineering, Finance, or Economics.
• Five years of experience in a position with similar duties.
• Knowledge of project development, California energy industry, and electric power markets including CAISO, CPUC, CEC, and CARB.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex processes.

Nice-to-haves

• Preferred knowledge and/or experience in any or all parts of the biomass value chain from site selection and feedstock sourcing to engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance (EPCM) of biomass facilities.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.