Manager of Business Development & Site Planning

3CE is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through local control of utility-scale renewable electricity generation, investment in new renewable power projects, and the implementation of innovative energy programs that facilitate the electrification of transportation and the built environment. 3CE promotes long-term electric rate stability and energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and stimulating the local economy.

• Work with other departments to compile and maintain a list of potential projects in the 3CE service area, using a standard project intake form.
• Screen potential projects and prepare feasibility studies and financial analysis, including capital cost, revenue, financing structure, and risk.
• Vet initial project concepts with site hosts, permitting agencies, utilities, and engineering, and recommend which projects should advance.
• Identify and secure sites, including land options and leases, working with real estate brokers and environmental planners.
• Lead the initial planning of projects, including distressed greenfield sites, development projects, and local power partnerships with member agencies.
• Review interconnection queues and clusters to identify stalled local projects and evaluate opportunities for 3CE to acquire or partner on them.
• Develop build-transfer agreement (BTA) templates and financing structures with developers.
• Coordinate with Power Supply department to confirm the portfolio value of potential projects, and identify and refer power purchase agreement (PPA) opportunities to Power Supply for negotiation.
• Lead the Capital Planning Assessment (CPA) process for the larger pipeline of potential projects.
• Prepare projects for each approval step, including initial review by the Director, feasibility study approval by the Chief-Power-Officer and CEO, and budget approval by the Board.
• Hand off approved distribution-level projects to the Manager of Project Delivery & Operations, and request technical review from that position as needed.
• Manage on-call contracts for environmental planning, land use, and related services.
• Prepare staff reports and presentations, and present to senior staff, the Board of Directors, member agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff as positions are added.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Clean energy and storage project development, including origination, site selection, land control, and permitting.
• Principles of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, and California ISO and utility interconnection processes.
• Project finance, financial modeling, and feasibility analysis, including tax credits, debt, and ownership structures.
• Development agreements, including build-transfer agreements, land options, and leases.
• Wholesale power markets and power purchase agreements.
• Land use, environmental review (including CEQA), and permitting processes.
• Public agency procurement and contract administration.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

• Identify, evaluate, and rank potential projects against clear financial and technical criteria.
• Build and interpret financial models and present the results clearly.
• Negotiate with landowners, developers, site hosts, and member agencies.
• Coordinate work across departments, consultants, and outside agencies.
• Prepare clear staff reports, feasibility studies, and presentations, and present to the Board of Directors.
• Manage multiple projects at different stages and adapt to changing priorities.
• Use tact, initiative, and independent judgment within policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff, including setting priorities, assigning and reviewing work, and building an effective business development and site planning team as the department grows.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business, finance, economics, engineering, environmental studies, urban planning, or a related field. A master's degree in a related field is desirable.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in energy project development, business development, or site planning, of which two (2) years should include supervising staff or managing consultants.

 Highly Desirable: Experience originating and developing utility-scale or distributed solar, storage, or wind projects, including site control, interconnection, and project finance. A self-driven professional who can build strong relationships with developers, landowners, member agencies, and permitting agencies. Excellent written and oral communication skills, engaging presentation abilities, and the ability to make a clear business case to executives and the Board.

 Licenses: Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license, safe driving record, and evidence of insurance.

Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is a plus but not required.

3CE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS RECRUITMENT AT ANY TIME BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.

HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE AS DESIGNATED BY CEO: Current remote workdays are scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays OR Employee may elect to work a 9/80 work schedule with alternating Fridays or Mondays off.

BENEFITS: 3CE offers a competitive benefits structure to its full-time employees.

RETIREMENT: Employees contribute 10% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the PARS retirement system, and the employer contributes 10% towards PARS. 

HEALTH INSURANCE: 3CE pays 90% employer paid coverage for employee plus family coverage. 100% employer paid for single coverage towards medical, dental, and vision. 3CE contributes up to $2400 annually towards flexible spending benefits and $3600.00 towards HRA.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: 3CE contributes $1,000 per fiscal year for health, wellness, or EV reimbursement.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: 3CE offers 457 deferred compensations. 

PTO: 180 hours annually on an accrual basis per pay period. 

CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE: This position is eligible for a cell phone allowance of $50.00 monthly.