Technical Specialist, Energy Programs, I, II, Senior

UNS Energy Corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned electric and gas distribution utility in Canada. Our public utility subsidiaries, Tucson Electric Power Company, UNS Electric, Inc. and UNS Gas, Inc., power our economy by providing electric and gas service to nearly 700,000 customers in Arizona.

We embrace a spirit of giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in the communities we have served for generations, and in TEP's case, since the 1890s. We're building a cleaner, greener grid, with more wind and solar power than ever before, while maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable service.

Our culture is rooted in shared core values that define how we work and who we are. Our team of innovative professionals bring their authentic selves to work each day to power our vision and make a difference.

We create opportunities for employees to thrive through:

• Continual growth: In an industry changing faster than ever before, our commitment to professional growth and leadership development means we never stop challenging ourselves to explore new possibilities.
• Active Engagement: We support a collaborative environment, with peer-to-peer learning and employee-driven groups that foster an inclusive culture.
• Total compensation: UNS Energy Corporation also offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes a 401k plan with a generous company match and additional non-discretionary employer contribution, affordable individual and family health insurance plans, tuition assistance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and much more.

Hear from some of our employees, here and here.

Position Description

The Energy Programs Technical Specialist provides technical support and program management support to various departments, contractors, installers, and individual customers on Energy Programs and related activities, including but not limited to:

• Residential and Small Commercial Distributed Generation and Storage (including photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind technologies, and community solar)
• Demand Side Management: Energy Efficiency Programs and Load Management
• Beneficial Electrification and Transportation Electrification

Day to day activities may include, but are not limited to, performing inspections, data collection, project review and analysis, equipment recognition and conservation strategies, and training, monitoring of industry trends, and development of best practices, and interpretation of rates, rules, regulations and energy codes etc.

The Technical Specialist provides exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers.

To contribute to a team environment that thrives through living their mission and demonstrating the UNS values. To utilize business acumen and do the right thing. To seek out cross company collaboration and a desire to assist by sharing knowledge to create an environment that actively participates in achieving operational excellence across the company. Continuous learning is embraced, and active engagement is achieved through showing respect and listening to all co-workers, sharing opinions, and demonstrating that each of our differences makes the company stronger.

Position-Related Responsibilities

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret system schematics for residential and commercial PV, water heating, space heating, solar chilling, wind and other renewable energy resources.
• Perform work alone or in a team setting in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with Company practices and procedures.
• Understand and follow Company policies and procedures and follow Federal and State safety regulations.
• Understand electrical drawings, components, and operation of renewable energy systems.
• Cultivate good business relationships between contractors, industry partners, and the Company.
• Promote targeted energy applications.
• Review technical customer inquiries, problems, requests and suggestions to determine solutions and responses. Helps customer understand response in person, via phone and/or e-mail.
• Cultivates good business relations between contractor trade allies and the company and promotes targeted energy applications. Reviews customer inquiries, problems, requests and suggestions to determine solutions and responses
• Supports management of the day-to-day activities and Regulatory reporting requirements of residential and small commercial renewable or energy efficiency programs as assigned.
• Supports preparation of program forms, documents, applications, web-site content, etc. required in Renewable or Energy Efficiency programs.
• Assists with customer relations and contact in person, via phone and/or e-mail, provide program detail and documents, and work with various Program Managers to provide support as needed. This may include in person visits to resolve high bill inquiries received through the contact center, customer advocate, or the ACC.
• Provides input for modifications to existing programs and assists with new program design. This includes business case and total cost of ownership (TCO) development.
• Completes required final acceptance inspections (or equivalent) verifying program compliance with the Distributed
• Generation Interconnection Requirements (DGIRs).
• Schedule appointments with contractors and customers for on-site inspections.
• Responsible for understanding production meter output and conducting periodic performance analysis for all distributed generation systems.
• Assist in development and maintenance of office tracking software in regard to production output from renewable energy systems.
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of the Arizona Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) and provides technical support to the program and program participants in both residential and small commercial.
• Provides training, day-to-day assistance and technical support to secondary work force to complete required Final
• Acceptance inspections verifying program compliance with the DGIRs.
• Actively participates in company sponsored trade shows, home shows, and other marketing events to deliver appropriate company image within assigned service territory.
• Actively participates in industry associations and sub-committees to represent the Company's desire to build and maintain strong community partnerships.
• Prepares and delivers presentations related to Company programs and technical issues related to renewable programs, to local and regional groups upon request.
• Complete other assignments as directed by Manager.
• Supports and promotes innovation, emerging technology and new program offerings (EV, storage, electrification, pilots, etc.) through technical competency and understanding of regulatory direction.
• Performs other assignments as requested in support of renewable and energy efficiency programs, or other programs, offered by TEP, UNSE and UNSG.
• This position may provide services Company-wide.
• This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
(Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience in the utility industry, solar or related field and up to date with relevant changes in the renewable energy industry.
• Must work effectively in a team and possess the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Computer skills - basic use of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, data entry, data retrieval. Basic experience with CC&B and Maximo is a plus.
• Working knowledge of electrical distribution systems and utility interconnection requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with customers and all levels of Company personnel.
• Must possess a good job performance history and a valid driver's license.
• Must have good public presentation skills, organizational skills and technical skills.
• Must have good time management and prioritization skills.
• Able to perform math calculations associated with renewable energy system performance and analysis.
• Must be able to work from ladders and elevated platforms.
• Must be able to bend, lift, and stoop for extended periods.

Technical Specialist I
Two years in renewable energy field with ability to perform technical analysis and compliance for all renewable energy systems pertinent to TEP's successful implementation of the REST and Company Service Requirements and energy programs. Ability to coordinate production metering and compliance inspection of all of TEP's distributed generation systems new and old. Basic experience in the utility industry or related fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency or beneficial electrification.

Technical Specialist II
Two years as Technical Specialist I (or equivalent) and ability to independently perform medium to large scale interconnections for distributed generation systems and provide project management or technical support for increasingly complex beneficial electrification or demand side management projects Able to assist with project management or technical support for utility scale projects. May have several projects or studies assigned at the same time. Must have good public presentation skills, organizational skills and technical skills

Senior Technical Specialist
Requires undergraduate degree in related field and four years of experience as a Technical Specialist (or equivalent), or a two-year degree and six years as a Technical Specialist (or equivalent), or eight years as a Technical Specialist (or equivalent). Will have primary responsibility for technical reviews of distributed generation systems and complex beneficial electrification or demand side management projects. Is able to work independently, and only needs guidance on unusual or complex projects. Must possess strong time management, technical knowledge, and leadership skills.

Pay Rate: Salary determined based on candidates experience and qualifications.

All job offers are contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

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