Project Manager, Infrastructure Delivery
About Ava Community Energy
Ava Community Energy (Ava) 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 Project Manager (PM), Infrastructure Delivery reporting to the Director, Infrastructure Delivery, to join the Local Development team and support infrastructure development regarding the energy projects being implemented in Ava’s territory. The PM will manage the infrastructure development process for Ava’s Public DC Fast Charging (DCFC) network and/or Critical Municipal Facilities (CMF) Photovoltaic (PV) system and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) portfolio of projects developed by third-party EPC partners. The PM will play a key role in achieving Ava’s goals to accelerate electric mobility and develop locally distributed energy resources.
The ideal candidate is passionate about energy and electrification project development and has a strong background in project management, engineering, construction, contract and vendor management. This is a growth opportunity to join a high-performing and dynamic team to solve complex problems in the area of energy and electric mobility.
Position Details
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage Ava’s infrastructure development partners during the design and construction of the energy infrastructure projects, such as DCFC charging infrastructure and CMF PV/BESS installation infrastructure; Manage the engineering scope of pre-development of the same projects.
Manage and monitor the infrastructure delivery schedule with internal and external stakeholders and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to build the delivery schedule as required.
Establish and manage the process for the management of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of the energy infrastructure projects.
Manage the technical and non-technical support required from Ava regarding the O&M of energy infrastructure.
Coordinate with internal team members at Ava and external vendors to manage O&M scope.
Manage the entire infrastructure development life cycle between city staff and Ava’s development partners, including site visits, construction phases, scope reviews, schedules, and other related components.
Work closely with Ava’s Structured Finance team on contracts related to infrastructure development scope, schedule, and cost. Assist the team in contract documentation as required.
Work closely with Ava’s external partners and internal team members on the interconnection application, new electrical service planning, and pre-development activities.
Identify critical paths in infrastructure development schedules at an early stage, evaluate the risk, and find solutions to mitigate risk with internal and external team members.
Collaborate with Ava’s other departments, such as Marketing, Power Resource, Data Analytics, and Finance for the successful delivery of infrastructure projects.
Review infrastructure designs prepared by the external vendors and development team for the various stages of the development and manage the design review by internal staff and city representatives.
Review and approve the scope, schedule, and cost changes proposed by the development team at various stages of development. Coordinate the impact of the changes with internal and external stakeholders.
Establish project tracking tools to report the project's progress to Ava’s internal team. Present the development progress to various stakeholders as required.
Organize and keep track of all outstanding tasks, their due dates, and their dependencies on various workstreams.
Make contacts and develop/maintain business relationships with developers, engineers, contractors, consultants, manufacturers, and industry associations.
Travel to project sites as required.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
At least 5 years of relevant experience as a Project Manager in energy infrastructure projects
Strong background in Engineering and Project Management is preferred
Past experience in PV/BESS development and/or EV charging development is preferred
Past experience in O&M of energy infrastructure projects is preferred
Ability to travel to various sites as needed
Knowledge of project scheduling, equipment purchasing, construction cost, and engineering principles/techniques
Ability to read, understand, and interpret contract documents, construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project schedules
Ability to read and understand pricing requirements outlined in contractual documents
Customer service skills with the ability to develop professional relationships
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
Skilled in facilitating teamwork and coordinating efforts for the successful achievement of goals
Strong decision-making, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently as well as collaborating with a team
Ability to schedule, plan, and lead meetings
Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office suite, G Suit, Microsoft Project, and project management software
Demonstrates leadership; excellent written and verbal communication skills
Compensation and Benefits
The annual salary for this position is $161,057.66, with a Total Compensation of up to $177,163 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.