Customer Programs and Communications Specialist (5B.26)

At Bear Valley Electric, we work hard to provide our customers, with superior customer service, and safe, reliable, and quality power. We do it each and every day, safely and with confidence.

Bear Valley Electric Service has served the Big Bear Valley since 1929.

Today, we provide electric power to approximately 24,750 customers. We serve a resort community with a mix of full-time and part-time residents. These 23,250 residents represent more than 93 percent of our customers. We also serve approximately 1,500 commercial, industrial and public authority customers, including the Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts.

Bear Valley Electric Service has implemented a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program, inserted cutting edge technology into all aspects of its business and operations and is aggressively pursuing a greener energy supply portfolio and a sweeping electrification strategy.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES RESIDENCY IN OUR SERVICE AREA

POSITION DEFINITION

Under general direction, designs, implements, leads and monitors each Public Purpose Program (PPP), including energy efficiency (EE) programs [currently non-low income energy efficiency (EE) program, energy saving assistance (ESA) program, and net energy metering (NEM) program] and BVES' California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program through research and coordination with regulatory agencies and others to ensure program goals are met or exceeded within defined regulatory parameters and including budget. The position also supports customer communications, emergency preparedness and response, Community Resource Center operations during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, and preparation of technical reports and communications supporting Company initiatives.

Accountability

The Public Purpose Program Coordinator is accountable by ensuring optimization of BVES' public purpose programs (PPP) and other programs. As a responsible professional, the incumbent in this position must have the ability to work independently, exercise initiative and judgment in the performance of the core job responsibilities of this position. The incumbent also needs to be skilled in the ability to answer questions, including those of a technical nature, draw conclusions and make recommendations as needed to facilitate a dynamic and high-performance organization. A positive, professional attitude, ability to work well with others, and strong work ethic must be maintained and exhibited at all times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies, develops, implements, measures, and reports on assigned programs, including Public Purpose Programs to advance Company objectives to meet Company and regulatory goal

• Performs and analyzes research, benchmarking activities, and surveys that support management and other business objectives

• Develops and coordinates customer communication and program marketing efforts, working with various other Company department representatives to support business objectives

• Provides on-going field support including training, and acts as liaison between teams and other business groups to support objectives related to energy efficiency

• Manages third-party contracts as required to implement and promote energy efficiency

• Administers EE Program, Net Energy Metering (NEM) Program, ESA, and CARE by assisting or leading development of new customer programs

• Materially contributes to updating of utility tariffs related to public purpose programs to ensure tariffs are in compliance with regulatory mandates/requirements

• Meets with customer groups as needed to educate/assist customers with program requirements

• Attends regulatory and joint utility workshops to track and monitor compliance with existing and proposed programs (involves travel by car and/or airline)

• Notifies management of new regulatory and related proceedings with respect to energy efficiency and other assigned programs as they may affect the Company

• Monitors regulatory environment regarding existing and new programs

• Tracks program progress and report results, making recommendations for change as needed for program success

• Reviews actual versus forecasted program outcome

• Oversee consultant(s) and third-party vendor, including budgets

• Monitors and reports on program expenses and balancing accounts

• Coordinates with other utilities as needed and/or as directed by the regulatory agency(s)

• Leads or assists materially with regulatory filings

• Conducts customer site visits as needed for all programs under this position's area of responsibility to verify program compliance

• Educates company personnel on available of existing and/or new customer programs

• Recommends new public purpose related programs as needed

• Develops annual progress report

• Educates internal staff to ensure consistency in program communications to customer and other groups

• Assists with customer and regulatory inquiries

• Supports emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including extended hours during PSPS events and other emergencies

• Develops customer communications, public notices, website and social media updates

• Supports Community Resource Center planning and operations during PSPS events

• Prepares reports, executive correspondence, presentations, and customer communications

• Coordinates outreach with Operations, Customer Service, Communications, and external stakeholders

• Other duties as assigned

The above job description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills or competencies associated with this job.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, economics, statistics, finance, engineering, public administration or closely related field

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in utility customer programs, public communications, community outreach, emergency management, energy programs, or a closely related field

• Valid California Driver License

Technical Skill and Competency Requirements

• Understands technical aspects of energy efficiency (e.g., lighting technology, solar systems)

• Ability to perform timely, thorough and complete analysis of problems or issues, conduct a review and critique of own and others work to ensure soundness of methodology and accuracy of results, as well as concise communication of results

• Ability to work independently or as part of team, demonstrating excellent interpersonal communication (written and oral), teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills with curiosity, creativity, and imagination

• Experience with energy efficiency

• Understanding of regulatory processes and utility tariffs

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills

• Strong to excellent oral and written communications

• Excellent technical writing and editing skills

• Ability to prepare reports, executive correspondence, presentations, and customer communications

• Ability to communicate effectively during emergency events and under strict deadlines

• Strong reading / comprehension skills

• Exercises sound judgment during emergency situations

• Builds strong relationships with customers, community organizations, and stakeholders

• Maintains composure during emergency operations

May include but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping, and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.

Qualities of a Successful Customer Programs and Communications Specialist

Must be willing to learn and understand complex regulatory principles used in today's electric industry

Capable of translating regulatory policy into company programs that meet Company goals

Must be willing to learn technical aspects of energy efficiency (e/g/, lighting technology, solar systems) as needed to communicate effectively with customers (internal and external), contractors, and to determine program eligibility

Organized with attention to detail and time management skills

Capable of working under strict deadlines with results orientation and a strong sense of urgency

Interacts well with all customer groups

Exhibits professionalism with internal and external contacts

Demonstrates strong level of accountability and ownership

Executes with discipline and urgency

Demonstrated impact and influencing skills

Trustworthy; strong personal integrity

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Solid presentation and networking skills

Collaborative/team-oriented

Emotional Maturity

High degree of initiative; self-starter

A positive, professional attitude, ability to work well with others

A strong work ethic must be maintained and exhibited at all times

BENEFITS

Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow. Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents. We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year. To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan. Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws.

Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.

The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.