Staff Interconnection Specialist

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

PGE is currently hiring a Staff Interconnection Specialist. This role manages the FERC-mandated interconnection process for large generators connecting to the distribution system. The position is highly process-driven and compliance-focused, with strict regulatory timelines and significant financial exposure if requirements are not met.

The individual serves as the central coordination point between external developers, internal engineering teams, third-party contractors, and regulatory requirements. The role requires strong project coordination, technical comprehension, customer communication, and process management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Manage Programs and/or Projects

• Manages the interconnection process for large generators and qualifying facilities; manages and executes PGE’s role as provider during development, construction, commissioning and operation phases of large generation projects; leads the study process for generation interconnection, large load interconnection, and transmission service; provides training and guidance to less experienced colleagues as needed.
• Participates in or may lead the commissioning and testing of interconnections of generation systems at customer and privately developed sites. Leads interconnection study process and report development and holds stakeholder meetings to review study results.
• Participates, or represents PGE, in various regulatory hearings/matters and industry trade shows/conventions; contributes to PGE’s participation in the regulatory process with FERC and OPUC matters related to generation interconnection processes and OATT updates.
• Monitors regulatory changes and makes appropriate programmatic adjustments; maintains awareness of generation and transmission market trends to contribute to team goals and objectives.
  
  

Planning, Scheduling and Costing

• Coordinates with applicants to develop project scope, requirements, schedule and deliverables for complex interconnection projects; identifies PGE equipment for generator interconnection with grid; reports to management and/or senior staff and others on project status and milestones; may provide guidance to less experience colleagues in planning, scheduling and costing projects.
  
  

Customer Support

• Participates in customer complaint and dispute resolution; completes or participates in formal and informal FERC complaint investigations.
• Serves as interconnection single point of contact for PGE-owned large generation projects; works with customers to achieve compliance with State and Federal interconnection rules.
  
  

Tracking and Reporting

• Prepares reports as requested by other PGE departments and as required by regulatory entities.
• Inputs data into PGE’s interconnection database.
  
  

Education/Experience/Certifications

Education Requires a bachelor’s degree in Business or other related field or equivalent experience.

Experience Typically, five or more years of utility experience in a technical field such as, interconnection, FERC compliance, metering, facility operations or other energy related field, or a degree and two years of experience in a technical field.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of program/project management principles and methods.
• Intermediate knowledge of utility operations and business, including regulatory requirements, business principles, electricity fundamentals, pricing and power cost fundamentals.
• Advanced knowledge of renewable energy opportunities, technologies and applications and programs.
• Intermediate knowledge of PGE business contracts policy and PGE tariffs related to interconnection, small power production, Qualifying Facilities, and large generator interconnection.
• Intermediate knowledge of FERC and OPUC regulations related to interconnection processes, transmission service requests and transmission planning.
• Advanced knowledge of PGE Safety procedures, including PPE requirements for construction sites and electrical rooms.
• Working knowledge of marketing and sales processes.
• Intermediate skills in using MS Office Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Working ability to understand practical elements of electrical engineering and electrical design.
  
  

General Competencies

• Advanced analytical thinking skills.
• Intermediate customer focus skills.
• Intermediate conflict management skills.
• Advanced decision-making skills.
• Intermediate enterprise/business awareness skills.
• Intermediate influence skills. Advanced interpersonal skills.
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills Intermediate negotiation skills.
• Advanced written/oral communication skills.
  
  

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).

Cognitive

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
• Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization Demonstrates sound memory
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
  
  

Schedule/Attendance

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
• Ability to work long hours
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
• Ability to work shift schedule
• Ability to work on-call schedule
  
  

Physical Capabilities

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs.
• Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats) (check all that apply):
• Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)
• Stairs (over 10 steps)
  

Environment – Indoor

• Office
  
  

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.