Power Resources Contracts Manager

About Ava Community Energy
Ava Community Energy (Ava), Formerly East Bay Community Energy, is a Joint Powers Authority comprising Alameda County and its incorporated areas, and the cities of Lathrop, Stockton, and Tracy. Ava’s charter is to provide its customers with low carbon, cost-effective electricity that integrates innovative energy products and maximizes local benefits through the development of local solutions, ranging from increasing access to rooftop solar to supporting the adoption of electric vehicles.

Culture and Commitment to Diversity
Ava believes in a vibrant culture that supports and nurtures a workplace that offers every individual the opportunity to attain professional goals and contribute to accomplishing our mission. We foster a culture of open communication, responsibility, curiosity, accountability, and teamwork. We want creative problem solvers that are excited to work in an entrepreneurial environment and grow our organization!

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of our service area’s rich culture and communities. We welcome a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and skills.

We strongly encourage people of all characteristics to apply and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type based on age, religion, color, gender identity or expression, race, ancestry, or national origin, religion or creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics, and those with a disability as protected by federal, state and local laws.

Position Summary

Ava is seeking to hire a full-time Power Resources Manager reporting to the Power Resources Director within the Contracts Management Function. As part of the Power Resources team, this individual will work collaboratively within the Power Resources teams and with the Local Development, Public Policy, Finance, and Technology & Analytics teams on cross-functional projects related to the administration of contracts and reporting for electricity procured and settled under long-term power purchase agreements. Ava is the largest CCA in northern California, providing over 7 TWh of electricity annually to serve a population of over 1.6 million. This role will be instrumental in operationalizing and managing a significant portfolio of renewable energy and storage projects in California and the broader Western region to accelerate Ava’s decarbonization goals.

Position Details
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to buy electricity and related products from third-party generation facilities involving technologies such as solar, wind, geothermal, and storage.

• Monitor, analyze, communicate, and resolve issues that arise during contract administration, including recommending Ava’s response to commercial issues and managing the dispute process.

• Develop and follow processes that ensure contracts are managed and financially settled efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with their terms, conditions, and associated regulatory obligations.

• Monitor, analyze, communicate, and assist in resolving issues that arise during the settlement process.

• Ensure contracts adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, Ava policies, and industry standards. Stay updated on legal and contractual obligations, making recommendations for improvements as needed.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including legal teams, department leads, and commercial contacts, to ensure clear communication and alignment.

• Be a resource for internal staff as an expert in contract management best practices and how to manage stakeholder relationships between counterparties, staff and consultants, the community, and the public.

• Support and/or actively participate in negotiations for long-term contracts and offtake agreements.

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the development and operation of energy generation technologies, including carbon-neutral electric energy, conventional energy, and renewable energy such as wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, and hydroelectric.

• Support regulatory and compliance efforts as needed, including assisting in multiple annual compliance filings.

• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in business, engineering, economics, or relevant work experience

• Expert Knowledge of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

• 5 plus years experience in the energy industry with an electric utility, CCA, Power Marketer, independent power producer, or renewable energy/energy storage developer

• 5 plus years of contract management experience

• 3 plus years of energy contract management experience focused on market-participating wholesale offtake agreements

• Knowledge of:

  • Wholesale electricity markets

  • Power generation technologies

  • WSPP, EEI, Power Purchase Agreements, Energy Storage Agreements and Tolling Agreements

  • Contracts management best practices

  • Power transactions and scheduling process

  • CAISO settlements process, charge codes, and application

  • CA Renewables Portfolio Standard

  • WREGIS

  • Power Source Disclosure

  • Resource Adequacy and Capacity

• Proficiency in MS Office applications with advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, formulas, data manipulation, conditional formatting, and charting. Macros and VBA a plus

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

Compensation and Benefits
The annual salary for this position is $178,774, with a Total Compensation of up to $196,651 annually based on performance.

Ava offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Zero cost Individual, family, and domestic partner health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• Life and AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD

• Retirement with Employer Matching

• Social Security deferment plan

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Commuter Benefits

• Fertility & Adoption Benefits

• Pet Insurance

• Mental Health Support

• Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care accounts)

• Paid Volunteer Days

• And More!

Location and Working Conditions
This position will be based in Ava headquarters in Oakland, near BART. Ava's team has a hybrid approach inclusive of in-office and remote work. This role is expected to go into the office Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Wednesday of the month. We are not providing sponsorships currently.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ava is dedicated to reasonably accommodate an applicant for known physical or mental disabilities so that the applicant may participate in the application process. We will engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with any employee with a known physical or mental disability to identify potential reasonable accommodations, if any, to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of their position.

• General office environment is primarily sedentary work which requires the following physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, reaching, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

• The noise level is usually moderate.

Licenses/Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver’s license or the ability to provide alternate transportation and a safe driving record.

Working at Ava Community Energy
Ava is committed to complying with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disability Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. Ava prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), genetic information or characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Ava strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment (exemptions will be evaluated by legal counsel).

The information contained herein has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The information also does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.