Utility Project Manager

Tucker Parker Smith Group (TPS Group); San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Tucker Parker Smith Group (TPS Group) is seeking a Specialized Project Manager II to support programs focused on wildfire mitigation, backup power solutions, grid resiliency, and critical customer infrastructure in Southern California.

The role will manage multiple projects from planning through implementation, coordinating customer engagement, vendors, budgets, contracts, regulatory requirements, and project risks. This contract role includes onsite work with some remote Friday options.

Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and vendors.
• Ability to navigate sensitive regulatory/stakeholder situations with diplomacy.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple medium-to-large projects from scope through oversight.
• Develop scopes, schedules, cost estimates, and implementation plans.
• Coordinate backup power projects for critical facilities in high-fire areas.
• Oversee contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Manage budgets, invoices, and contracts.
• Identify risks and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Stakeholder diplomacy

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Specialized Project Manager II - Backup Power Solutions

Schedule: Monday-Thursday onsite; Friday onsite or remote

Core Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Employment Type: 1-Year W-2 Contract

Pay Rate: $58-$60/hour

Position Overview

A leading Southern California public utility is seeking a Specialized Project Manager II to support programs focused on wildfire mitigation, backup power solutions, grid resiliency, and critical customer infrastructure.

This position will manage multiple projects that provide backup power solutions to critical facilities located within high-fire-threat areas. The Project Manager will oversee projects from planning through implementation and ongoing operations, coordinating customer engagement, vendors, installations, budgets, contracts, regulatory requirements, and project risks.

The role will also support Community Resource Centers (CRCs) that utilize utility-provided backup power to remain operational during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events and will participate in initiatives involving emerging distributed energy and grid-resiliency technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple medium-to-large projects from initial scope and planning through implementation and ongoing oversight.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, cost estimates, implementation plans, and project requirements.
• Coordinate backup power projects supporting critical facilities in high-fire-threat areas.
• Manage customer engagement and communicate diplomatically with sensitive customers and external stakeholders.
• Oversee contractors, consultants, vendors, and cross-functional project teams.
• Coordinate installation activities and ensure projects remain aligned with schedule, budget, and program requirements.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, invoices, contracts, and contract modifications.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and required corrective actions.
• Evaluate regulatory requirements and their impact on projects and programs.
• Support compliance activities associated with California utility and wildfire mitigation requirements.
• Develop business cases and project justifications supporting process improvements and new initiatives.
• Research and evaluate contractors, consultants, technologies, and potential solutions.
• Support ongoing oversight of completed backup-power and Community Resource Center projects.
• Assist with documentation and cost estimates that may be presented to government or regulatory agencies.
• Support the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies related to distributed energy resources and grid utilization.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated project or program management experience managing multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing project budgets, contracts, invoices, vendors, schedules, and deliverables.
• Ability to navigate sensitive customer, regulatory, or stakeholder situations with diplomacy and sound judgment.
• Experience within utilities, energy, infrastructure, construction, distributed energy, renewable energy, or other regulated environments is highly desirable.