Distributed Energy Resources Engineer I/II

Description

Position Purpose and Objectives:

The Distributed Energy Resources Engineer I/II is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of distributed energy resource (DER) projects and integration of DER solutions, alongside leading programs in energy systems, which include solar, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, battery energy storage, and various other emerging hyperlocal distribution technologies. This role involves researching, developing, and implementing strategies and pursuing grants to enhance system visibility, predictability, reliability, and responsiveness, while also focusing on customer engagement and operational efficiency.

Essential Job Functions:

Research and Development

• Research, develop, and implement DER projects and grid integration solutions, including distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) and virtual power plant (VPP) technologies
• Innovate by integrating new energy solutions such as photovoltaics, electric vehicles, battery storage, and other DER technologies into the electrical system
• Conduct cost-benefit studies to assess program effectiveness, align incentives with market behavior, and ensure initiatives deliver meaningful value through member bill savings and reduced system impacts

Program Implementation

• Integrate comprehensive strategies for beneficial electrification that align member needs with electrical system capabilities
• Iterate upon technical requirements for program enrollments and ensure technical compliance with United Power requirements
• Coordinate with vendors and members for installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of various distributed energy resources
• Coordinate inventory of physical equipment where applicable

Data Management

• Coordinate data collection from advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), DERs, and other energy systems for analysis and integration into DERMS
• Manage data for accuracy, reliability, and security, including data verification, validation, and storage
• Assist in maintaining documentation for member DER applications, including signed Terms & Conditions, program requirements, and other legal documents, in coordination with the Legal department

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align DER projects with distribution, transmission, power supply, IT, and cybersecurity perspectives
• Engage with members, vendors, and community stakeholders to promote and support DER initiatives and energy solutions programs
• Coordinate with the Engineering department on the operation of energy systems and their impact on the grid
• Develop periodic reports of energy solution programs that have errors, problems, or concerns, and follow up with a site inspection or service order to address them
• Lead and perform comprehensive energy assessments and audits to evaluate member facility performance, optimize load profiles, reduce system impact, and recommend engineering solutions that support reductions in system peak demand and reduce power costs

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a technical lead for DERMS, VPP operations, and energy system connectivity, ensuring compliance with interconnection standards
• Develop and document operating procedures for DER systems
• Grant permission to operate connected energy systems and work with members to maintain connectivity

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure all DER integration and energy system operations comply with IEEE, NERC, FERC, ANSI, and other relevant standards
• Work with the Power Supply department to keep abreast of SPP and regional market protocols and other regulatory requirements impacting DER performance and monetization
• Assist in the review and filing of internal reports, as well as grant-related reports to state and federal agencies

Project Management

• Manage grant project budgets and timelines; coordinate with consultants, governmental agencies, vendors, and internal teams for project success
• Administer software and document operating procedures related to energy systems in program areas

Innovation and Trends

• Stay informed about emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in DER integration and energy systems
• Identify and support implementation of process improvements for energy solutions programs and associated software systems.

Secondary Job Functions:

• Coordinate with Member Services to train new employees on energy solutions programs
• Participate in distribution system operator (DSO) and DERMS stakeholder working groups
• Represent United Power at functions and events to assist members in understanding programs offered
• Create, expand, and maintain professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and foster a spirit of cooperation and inclusion in the workplace
• Perform other duties as may be requested or assigned to fulfill the needs of United Power in the interest of good management practices

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Distributed Energy Resources Engineer I

Reports directly to the Energy Solutions Director. Normally receives general instructions on daily work and detailed instructions on newly introduced assignments.

Distributed Energy Resources Engineer II

Reports directly to the Energy Solutions Director. Normally receives little instruction on daily work and general instructions on newly introduced assignments.

No supervisory duties.

Education and Experience Required:

Distributed Energy Resources Engineer I

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, energy, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in the electric utility industry.
• Knowledge and understanding of electrical terminology with a strong background in software. In-depth understanding of any of the following: solar, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, battery energy storage, and how these energy systems communicate over a network.

Distributed Energy Resources Engineer II

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, energy, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in the electric utility industry.
• Knowledge and understanding of electrical terminology with a strong background in software. In-depth understanding of any of the following: solar, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, battery energy storage, and how these energy systems communicate over a network.
• Certification in the areas of solar, energy auditing, electric vehicles, batteries, or demand response.
• Experience in solar, electric vehicles, batteries/energy storage, or demand response programs; or equivalent industry-related experience.
• Preferred: Master's degree, Professional Engineer (PE), and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with a variety of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and accountability in all work activities.
• Strong self-management skills, including the ability to take initiative, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines independently.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop creative and practical solutions.
• Ability to foster an inclusive work environment by respecting diverse perspectives and interacting with others in an open, respectful, and equitable manner.
• Working knowledge of wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi networks and communication protocols.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong understanding of DER solutions, including DERMS, VPP technologies, and related systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis, including experience with programming languages and database management tools.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively engage stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while coordinating across departments and managing competing priorities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of utility systems such as Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), AMI, Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS), SCADA, and Customer Information Systems (CIS).
• Familiarity with electric distribution system operations and grid management practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge or relevant certifications in renewable and distributed energy technologies, such as solar energy, electric vehicles, battery storage, energy audits, or demand response programs.

Problem Solving:

• Provides solutions to a variety of project-related problems of moderate scope and complexity.

Discretion/Latitude:

• Approves applications and connects energy systems to the United Power grid.
• Decisions requiring engineering approvals are referred to the Engineering department.
• Approvals of program changes and new services will be escalated to the department director.

Impact:

• Contributes to the completion of routine technical tasks. Erroneous decisions or failures to achieve results may cause schedule delays.

Liaison:

• Frequently interacts with members regarding questions about bill concerns, energy system connectivity, enrollment and approval of systems, and responds to errors related to energy systems in the assigned area.
• Frequently interacts with vendors on enrollments and updates, troubleshooting, approvals, and new product releases.
• Frequently interacts with contractors to issue and approve work orders on behalf of United Power.
• Maintains internal and external reports.
• Frequently interacts with employees on questions about energy systems, incentives, training, processing applications, and bill credits; communicates with troubleshooters and stakeholders interested in system status.

Essential Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Sedentary work: Exerting up to (25 lbs) twenty-five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to a rest on the knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and make fine discrimination in sound.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes.
• The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from the weather.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

Typical hiring range:

Pay Grade: 17: $84,500 - $94,300 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $104,100

Pay Grade: 18: $91,300 - $101,830 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of - $112,360

NOTE: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management. Management reserves the right to change position descriptions, specifications, or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities or as needed. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Screening Notice: This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening, consistent with Colorado law and federal regulations. Applicants should be aware that a positive drug test-including for marijuana-may disqualify them from employment, as permitted under Colorado law. Additional information about our drug-testing policy will be provided during the hiring process.

United Power is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. United Power prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.