Advanced Technology Program Manager (Distribution Reliability)

City of Austin; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Austin seeks a Program Manager for Advanced Grid Technologies to lead Smart Grid and Grid Modernization initiatives. You will manage plans, budgets, and cross-functional teams, driving regulatory compliance and performance improvements for the distribution system.

Ideal candidates bring a Bachelor’s in Business or Engineering, 5 years in related fields, and PM experience. This fully-exempt role offers a hybrid work arrangement and opportunities to influence city-wide energy resilience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Engineering related to the job.
• Five (5) years of experience in a related field, two (2) years in PM.
• Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning activities to develop short- and long-term strategic plans and roadmaps 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.
• Produces business cases, including cost versus benefit analyses and RFPs to support related technologies.
• Facilitates and leads executive round tables and steering committees on related technologies.
• Facilitates internal communication, education, and training to staff and stakeholders.

Skills

Electric utility knowledge

Data analysis methods

Budget planning

Project management

Leadership & team coordination

Negotiation & vendor mgmt

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Engineering

Job description

About 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 resolution.
• Skill in conducting presentations on behalf of a public entity.
• Skill in projecting needs for equipment and personnel and formulating operating budgets.
• Ability to perform complex analysis, calculations, and problem solving.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to direct the timely production of project proposals and agreements.
• Ability to prepare and evaluate business cases.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business or Engineering related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field, two (2) years of which were in a program or project management capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required

None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Electrical Engineering degree, PE preferred.
• Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles and statistical analysis.
• Experience supporting legal teams with technical or engineering documentation for case-related matters.
• Experience evaluating or implementing new technologies, applications, and equipment.
• Experience responding to executive‑level, key account, and customer escalations.
• Analyze outage data and prepare clear, professional reports and executive-level presentations.
• Manage staff, including assigning work, monitoring performance, providing feedback, and ensuring program objectives are met.
• Ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties.

Compensation Range

The annual hiring range for this position is $118,900.00-$152,200.00

Notes to Candidate

Location:

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, inclement weather and emergency closures.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more.

Fair Labor Standards Act

This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Critical

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Important Note to Applicants

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees’ Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.