Clean Energy Program Manager

City of Savannah; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Savannah seeks a Senior Energy Program Manager to lead its 100% Savannah initiative, overseeing solar deployment, energy efficiency upgrades, EV infrastructure, and environmental justice programs to meet the 2035 community-wide renewable electricity goal.

You will manage multi-stakeholder projects, secure federal/state grants, advise the Director of Sustainability, report to City leadership, and foster partnerships with community groups and local agencies while communicating complex

Qualifications

• Experience with managing long-term, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience writing and managing federal grants.
• CAPM/PMP certification or similar credential.
• Experience engaging and organizing community members, especially from marginalized communities.
• Experience working in government or the public sector.

Responsibilities

• Manages the implementation of the City’s 100% Savannah clean energy plan, including solar energy deployment, energy e?ciency upgrades, and EV infrastructure projects.
• Serves as a technical advisor to the Director of Sustainability on energy projects and energy policy.
• Completes updates of the 100% Savannah plan, per the City Council’s directive. Researches, writes, and administers grant applications and compliance documentation to support program funding and expansion.
• Researches and proposes policies, programs, and technologies that can be applied toward the City’s 100% Savannah goals.
• Fosters partnerships with community groups, nonpro?ts, ?nancial institutions, businesses, peer local governments, and other organizations in support of the 100% Savannah goals.
• Represents the City in energy-focused stakeholder engagement processes and regulatory proceedings.
• Communicates clean energy topics clearly and concisely both orally and in writing to diverse audiences with varying degrees of background knowledge and experience.
• Conducts public engagement strategies, including meetings, workshops, and communications to connect residents with clean energy resources and gathers input on program design.
• Prepares reports and messaging as requested for the Mayor’s Office, City Administration, City Council, and the public on project status and energy program accomplishments.
• Tracks legislation, regulatory updates, and industry trends to inform program strategy and advocacy at local, state, and federal levels.
• Provides guidance and technical assistance to City departments on integrating sustainability and clean energy practices into capital and operational planning.
• Supervises the Clean Energy Program Coordinator.

Skills

Public engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Communication

Project management

Grant writing

Partnership building

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in hard sciences / technology / engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

This position leads the City of Savannah’s 100% Savannah initiative by managing clean energy projects, securing funding, and building partnerships to meet the goal of 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Oversees solar, energy e?ciency, EV infrastructure, and environmental justice programs while engaging the community and advancing policy goals.

• Manages the implementation of the City’s 100% Savannah clean energy plan, including solar energy deployment, energy e?ciency upgrades, and EV infrastructure projects.
• Serves as a technical advisor to the Director of Sustainability on energy projects and energy policy.
• Completes updates of the 100% Savannah plan, per the City Council’s directive. Researches, writes, and administers grant applications and compliance documentation to support program funding and expansion.
• Researches and proposes policies, programs, and technologies that can be applied toward the City’s 100% Savannah goals.
• Fosters partnerships with community groups, nonpro?ts, ?nancial institutions, businesses, peer local governments, and other organizations in support of the 100% Savannah goals.
• Represents the City in energy-focused stakeholder engagement processes and regulatory proceedings (e.g., IRP proceedings, rate cases, DSM Working Group, etc.).
• Communicates clean energy topics clearly and concisely both orally and in writing to diverse audiences with varying degrees of background knowledge and experience.
• Conducts public engagement strategies, including meetings, workshops, and communications to connect residents with clean energy resources and gathers input on program design.
• Prepares reports and messaging as requested for the Mayor’s Office, City Administration, City Council, and the public on project status and energy program accomplishments.
• Tracks legislation, regulatory updates, and industry trends to inform program strategy and advocacy at local, state, and federal levels.
• Provides guidance and technical assistance to City departments on integrating sustainability and clean energy practices into capital and operational planning.
• Supervises the Clean Energy Program Coordinator.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the hard sciences, technology, or engineering, with one to three years of professional experience in a relevant field.

Internships, research experience, and volunteer experience may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with managing long-term, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience writing and managing federal grants.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or similar credential.
• Experience engaging and/or organizing community members and other stakeholders, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
• Experience working in local, state, or federal government and/or the public sector.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal energy regulations; sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation principles; clean energy technologies, finance, and policy; utility rate structures and energy markets; and energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric transportation practices.
• Knowledge of racial and social equity concepts and their integration into sustainability and energy programming.
• Knowledge of research methodologies, grant funding sources, project management principles, and modern office systems and software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Skill in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, including long- and short-term planning, fiscal analysis, and reporting.
• Skill in benchmarking energy use, conducting greenhouse gas inventories, and evaluating building systems for efficiency and performance.
• Skill in making effective public presentations, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and preparing clear, concise written materials including reports, grants, and policy summaries.
• Skill in interpersonal communication, building partnerships, and navigating sensitive equity-related conversations with professionalism.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex technical and policy information; adapt quickly to changing circumstances; apply systems thinking and problem-solving to new challenges; and meet ambitious goals with limited resources.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team, manage competing priorities under pressure, and maintain productive relationships with internal staff, community members, and external agencies.

Minimum Standards

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Work is performed under the general direction of the supervisor.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include City, state, and federal policies and regulations, department guidelines, energy and building codes, and housing standards. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY: Considerable analytical ability is needed to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources; interpretation of guidelines, policies, and procedures is required.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: Participating with others (within and/or outside of community/agency) in program development, service delivery, and supervision of subordinate sta?; moderate to serious impact.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Regular contact with persons of importance and in?uence involving considerable tact, discretion, and persuasion.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, justify decisions, and negotiate and settle matters

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Absence of disagreeable conditions.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: Supervision is exercised over subordinate personnel.