Advanced Technology Program Manager (Distribution Reliability)
City of AustinAbout This Position The Program Manager of Advanced Grid Technologies Distribution Reliability Manager is responsible for ensuring the reliability, resilience, and overall performance of the electric distribution system. The manager plays a critical role in advancing the Electric System Resilience Plan (ESRP) and supporting system performance, customer service, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This role manages circuit‑hardening efforts, coordinates with cross‑functional teams, and provides engineering support during operational events. The manager responds to customer and executive escalations, supports power quality investigations, and contributes to root cause analyses and regulatory requirements. Additional responsibilities include assisting with emergency management activities, supporting planning and field operations, coordinating material and budget needs, and ensuring effective use of tools and applications that support outage analysis and distribution performance. Job Description: Program Manager, Advanced Technology Purpose: Under general direction, this position manages and technically leads specific Smart Grid, Grid Modernization, and other Austin Energy (AE) advanced program(s). Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Leads planning activities to develop short- and long-term strategic plans, roadmaps, and objectives for advanced technologies and programs. Creates and manages operational budgets for short and long term technology projects and contracts. Leads cross functional teams to achieve technology initiatives. Manages existing and future contracts with vendors. Leads market research activities to identify market trends in technologies and programs. Produces periodic metrics to measure and improve: systems, projects, vendors, and service provider performance. Manages assigned matrix resources. Leverages functionality to identify operational efficiencies to improve customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs. Produces business cases, including cost versus benefit analysis and Request for Proposal (RFP’s) to support related technologies and initiatives and programs. Facilitates and leads periodic executive round table and steering committees on related technologies and programs. Facilitates internal communication, education, and training to staff, and internal and external stakeholders on technologies and programs. Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed. Knowledge of electric utility operations: generation, transmission, distribution, or other related fields. Knowledge of advanced analytical, mathematical, or programming techniques. Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation. Knowledge of applicable processes, engineering principles, data analysis, and application design. Knowledge of regulatory requirements and applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances. Skill in leading and directing personnel in a project and program capacity. Skill in determining needs and gathering, analyzing and presenting data to provide accurate information for management's use. Skill in oral and written business and technical communication including preparation of written reports. Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks and planning and organizing a program. Skill in using computers and related software applications. Skill in data analysis and problem solving. Skill in negotiations, program monitoring, and conflict resolutio…