Senior DERMS Technical Lead

About the role

The Senior DERMS Technical Lead oversees the implementation of San Diego Community Power's Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) across the Flex Load Portfolio, including Smart Home Flex, Solar Battery Savings, and EV Flex Connect. This role is responsible for operating and scheduling devices, developing and maintaining reports/dashboards, onboarding equipment manufacturers and new products, and supporting new program initiatives. The position leads day-to-day operations of the DERMS platform, as well as related customer and program support activities.

About San Diego Community Power

San Diego Community Power is a community-driven, not-for-profit public agency providing cleaner energy to the San Diego region. Formed in 2019, it is the second largest Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) in California, serving nearly 1 million customer accounts across its member agencies: the Cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, and National City, as well as the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day DERMS operations, including configuration, scheduling, management of user access, testing, and data integration with internal and external systems.
• Troubleshoot and provide technical support related to system and/or device performance.
• Support onboarding of manufacturers, devices, and programs into the DERMS platform.
• Ensure telemetry and control logic are configured appropriately for dispatch modes and program requirements.
• Provide technical support during testing and initial launch.
• Develop dashboards to monitor and respond to operational alerts or system anomalies, execute reports for portfolio management and forecasting, and evaluate product and program performance.
• Support the evaluation of device and portfolio level event performance, customer impacts, and dispatch strategies to ensure alignment with agency priorities.
• Support DERMS integrations and development with new pilots.
• Identify system improvement opportunities, propose technical enhancements, including new dispatch strategies and use cases, such as load shifting, voltage management, or local capacity.
• Document and share standard operating procedures and best practices with internal stakeholders to support continuous improvement of DERMS operations.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for all DERMS activities.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of DERMS platforms.
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability, community energy, mission-driven work, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and in communities to build program accessibility and participation, including SDCP's Communities of Concern.
• Knowledge and understanding of electric utility systems and operations, including generation, transmission, distribution, and associated infrastructure.
• Knowledge and basic understanding of the CCA business model.
• Positive, collaborative, supportive team member who is excited to work with diverse teams and communities.
• Ability to work independently, strong organizational skills, and demonstrated goal setting and self-management to support multiple assignments concurrently.
• Strong work ethic and comfortable taking responsibility, initiative, and working in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Strong communicator who can write and present compellingly and clearly.
• Ability to take and provide critical feedback in constructive ways.
• Strong critical thinking skills including a high tolerance for uncertainty and the ability to identify issues and propose solutions.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to comprehend and adhere to Community Power personnel policies.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and ability to use virtual meeting applications.
• Ability to travel to meetings and community events to meet with residents and stakeholders. Must have access to reliable transportation, and if driving an automobile, a good driving record. Mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with energy modeling and/or battery monitoring platforms.
• Experience with API development and/or integrations.
• Familiarity with CRM software used to manage customer/application data and workflows (e.g., Salesforce; Dynamics 365 or similar).
• Ability to strongly represent the organization in various professional engagement settings from local to national convenings (conferences, workshops, executive meetings, etc.).
• Proficiency in verbal communication in multiple languages, Spanish and English preferred.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the knowledge and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• A four-year degree or higher from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of professional experience.
• Four (4) additional years of professional experience may be used in place of a degree.
• A graduate degree may substitute for one year of professional experience.
• Two to three years of experience supporting the implementation of programs in energy efficiency, transportation electrification, demand response, or demand management preferred.

Work Environment & Conditions

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• The position occasionally requires carrying, lifting, and/or moving objects up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional local travel is required; reliable transportation is expected to attend SDCP events, meetings, and workshops.
• Hybrid work schedule set by SDCP.
• SDCP requires employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Exemptions considered for medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, consistent with governing labor laws.
• Employees in designated positions may be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) annually, subject to regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Pay

Salary range: $98,100 – $132,500 USD. Exact compensation determined based on experience.

Benefits

• Insurance: Group health benefits, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Includes a $100,000 Life & AD&D policy, and STD/LTD coverage fully paid by SDCP.
• Retirement: 457(b) plan for employee contributions, plus a 10% employer contribution to a Money Purchase Plan.
• Paid Time Off: 11 holidays per year plus paid winter holiday (between 12/24-12/31), 160 hours of accrued paid time off per year (increases with tenure), and 96 hours per year of accrued paid sick leave.