1395 FERC License Program Manager-FILLED

Jennifer Powers; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 170,164 - 239,595; Full time

Job summary

Tacoma Power is seeking a seasoned FERC License Program Manager to lead hydropower relicensing, compliance, and related regulatory programs. You will guide a team of experts and coordinate with regulators to ensure responsible stewardship of regional hydropower assets.

The role focuses on strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and cross‑agency collaboration to maintain reliable and affordable energy while advancing environmental commitments.

Qualifications

• Six years of power industry experience, including at least 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Experience leading FERC hydropower licensing proceedings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydropower licensing and compliance program for four active licenses and relicensing efforts.
• Develop long-term strategies aligning licensing with Tacoma Power’s mission and budgets.
• Shape policy direction with executive leadership and simplify complex regulatory challenges for decisions.
• Oversee program budgeting, forecasting, and staffing to support obligations.

Skills

FERC licensing

Strategic leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/public administration/related field

Job description

FERC License Program Manager

Tacoma Power is seeking an accomplished and strategic Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Program Manager to lead the next chapter of our hydropower licensing and compliance program. This pivotal role ensures continued regulatory compliance, successful relicensing, and the responsible stewardship of projects that provide nearly half of the region’s clean, affordable power.

Position Description

Reporting to the Assistant Section Manager for Natural Resources, this position serves as Tacoma Power’s principal authority on FERC matters. The Program Manager oversees all phases of hydropower licensing—new, ongoing, and transitional—while guiding a team of subject matter experts, consultants, and cross‑disciplinary partners. Through steady leadership and sound judgment, this role shapes policy, drives multi‑agency collaboration, and reinforces Tacoma Power’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and regional energy leader.

Your Leadership Impact

Strategic Direction: Shape the course of Tacoma Power’s hydropower relicensing and compliance programs, aligning technical excellence with long‑range policy, financial, and operational goals.

Regulatory Stewardship: Serve as Tacoma Power’s primary liaison with the FERC Division of Licensing and the Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC), ensuring every commitment is met with accuracy, transparency, and integrity.

Collaborative Leadership: Build and sustain strong relationships with executive leadership, tribal governments, regulatory agencies, and community partners to develop balanced, sustainable solutions that advance Tacoma Power’s mission and values.

Legacy Building: The strategies led by this position will influence how Tacoma Power generates and manages hydropower for decades to come, shaping energy affordability, environmental outcomes, and public trust across our region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and compliance program, providing strategic oversight for four active licenses and guiding upcoming relicensing, surrender, and transfer efforts.
• Develop and carry out long‑term strategies that align licensing and compliance activities with Tacoma Power’s mission, financial priorities, and environmental commitments.
• Partner with executive leadership and the Senior Management Team to shape policy direction, address complex regulatory challenges, and ensure decisions are well‑informed and defensible.
• Oversee program budgeting, forecasting, and staffing to ensure resources support long‑term goals and regulatory obligations.

Regulatory Negotiations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Tacoma Power in high‑level negotiations with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as environmental and community organizations.
• Build cooperative, transparent relationships with regulators and policymakers to develop and implement license terms and operational agreements that balance reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship.
• Act as Tacoma Power’s primary liaison with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including its Division of Licensing and Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC).
• Monitor federal and regional policy developments that may affect Tacoma Power’s hydropower operations and adapt strategies to stay ahead of evolving requirements.

Operational Oversight & Compliance Excellence

• Direct all monitoring, reporting, and implementation efforts required by hydropower license conditions to ensure full and timely compliance.
• Maintain robust systems for tracking, documentation, and reporting that support transparency, audit readiness, and long‑term institutional knowledge.
• Collaborate closely with the Dam Safety Workgroup and internal partners to ensure consistency and alignment across compliance and operational activities.
• Oversee payments to tribes and agencies, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and adherence to contractual commitments.

Leadership, Culture & Team Development

• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and support to a skilled team of program managers, engineers, and natural‑resources professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the licensing team and across the broader Natural Resources section.
• Support professional growth through coaching, training, and performance feedback, strengthening both individual capability and organizational expertise.
• Collaborate across Tacoma Power divisions to integrate licensing objectives with operational, environmental, and policy initiatives.

Public Accountability & Program Representation

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and environmental programs, communicating progress and outcomes to leadership, the Public Utility Board, and community stakeholders.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and technical materials that translate complex regulatory information into clear, actionable insights for decision‑makers.
• Uphold Tacoma Power’s reputation as a leader in sustainable hydropower generation and a responsible steward of the region’s natural resources.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, economics, finance, accounting, engineering, project management, or a directly related field.

Minimum Experience

• Six (6) years of power industry experience directly related to the area of assignment, including 1 year of experience as a supervisor, manager, or subject‑matter expert.
• Experience practicing and leading FERC hydropower licensing proceedings is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

FERC Expertise: Deep understanding of FERC hydropower licensing, compliance reporting, and precedent‑setting cases.

Strategic and Systems Thinking: Ability to connect complex regulatory, technical, and policy requirements into clear strategies that sustain hydropower operations and support long‑term environmental and organizational goals.

Leadership and Influence: Proven success leading cross‑functional teams of engineers, scientists, consultants, and policy professionals.

Negotiation and Consensus Building: Skilled at leading sensitive, high‑stakes discussions with Tribes, agencies, and partner organizations, finding balanced outcomes that protect both operational reliability and environmental integrity.

Governance and Accountability: Record of establishing clear governance systems, performance metrics, and decision frameworks that ensure transparency, defensibility, and fiscal responsibility.

Communication and Representation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, translating technical and regulatory concepts into clear language for executive leadership, policymakers, and the public.

Financial and Operational Insight: Experience in budgeting, cost forecasting, and resource allocation for multi‑million‑dollar programs.

Commitment to Stewardship and Equity: Dedication to delivering clean, affordable energy while protecting regional ecosystems and fostering equitable, transparent relationships with the communities served.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $170,164.80 – $239,595.20

Contact Information

Human Resources Department
747 Market Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Phone: [phone]