Energy Efficiency Project Specialist

Job Summary

This role will be responsible for supporting the Southern Company Energy Efficiency Design and Evaluation team by ensuring timely and accurate support of Demand Side Management (DSM) regulatory activities as it relates to program design, and certified program compliance with the  Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Georgia Power (GPC), Alabama Power (APC) and Mississippi Power (MPC) as ordered by the respective Public Service Commission (PSC) or other regulatory bodies. In addition to these responsibilities, this role will assist in supporting and leading program evaluations of DSM programs, to ensure compliance with the respective PSC orders. Additionally, this position will support the day-to-day requirements needed to deliver program performance at a system level, including working with internal operating company’s reporting partners, program implementation teams and third-party vendors to ensure DSM program performance is being met.  Finally, this role will assist in managing various data requests (including IRP data requests)- and support needs associated with various collaborative groups/processes, as well as leadership requests on an ongoing basis. It may also require serving as a lead for a team of analysts as needed and warranted by energy efficiency leadership. The role also has opportunities to perform cost benefit analysis of mass market DER use cases, research peer utility program offerings and industry developments and serve as a strong internal resource on mass market dispatchable DER/DR technology offerings, functionality, and costs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
 

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics, Statistics, Engineering or related field required. Master’s Degree is a plus. Minimum 1 year of work experience in energy or regulatory environment required Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills are required. Travel in-state and nationally required. Experience in Regulatory, Pricing & Planning, Marketing, Sales, Accounting/Finance and/or Regional Operations preferred.  Must have strong problem solving and analytical skills and a propensity to learn. Must be self-motivated and have ability to use internal and external resources to learn on-the-job.  Flexibility on the job and the ability to work on several tasks to meet various deadlines and support overall team needs is imperative.  Must demonstrate the ability to discern what tasks are a priority and practice time management to effectively meet deadlines.  Experience researching and evaluating large amounts of data and evaluating desired products and services. Experience working on time-sensitive projects with the degree of understanding and skills needed to produce quality products. Must have ability to work with cross functional teams to complete deliverables, provide necessary updates and support team needs.  General understanding of the Company's contractor Request for Proposal (RFP) process.  Supply Chain contract development experience desired. Advanced knowledge in Excel, with an ability to work with statistical, financial, and collaborative functions. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office solutions, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams, is a must.  Power BI and SAS ability is desired. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, as well as the ability to convey information in a manner that is communicable at all levels and thrive in a team environment is a must. Ability to interface with all levels of leadership. Ability to perform all responsibilities consistent with Southern Company Values.  Manage finances for team by doing the following but not limited to tracking spend across budget on various contracts managed by the team, accruing expenses, reconciling expenses and managing contracts based on available balance and planned work.  Review external DSM reporting, such as NERC, ACEEE and EIA, from GPC, APC and MPC to ensure consistency. Work with internal partners to gather, update and present DSM performance data on a system level on a periodic and as needed basis. 

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities are not limited to the following and are subject to change per business needs.

Lead and/or support evaluation efforts for certified DSM programs for the system, with a focus on GPC’s certified DSM programs. This includes but isn’t limited to reviewing and approving of EM&V treatments and reports, facilitating and leading training sessions, meetings and readouts, tracking and providing updates to internal partners, leadership and external stakeholders and ensuring results and feedback are communicated and incorporated where applicable. Support GPC’s IRP DSM filing, including but not limited to program design efforts, witness preparation, development of briefing and issue cards and completion of data requests.  Lead RFP efforts resulting from GPC’s IRP order to support implementation, evaluation and design of certified DSM programs. Facilitate system wide contracting across vendors where applicable to promote efficiencies and cost-effectiveness. Support GPC, APC and MPC on DSM program filing, design and/or evaluation efforts and additional DSM requests as needed and per leadership guidance. Continuously identify and support process improvement where applicable