Project Manager IV

We are seeking a Project Manager to support our vision of the energy future in the Energy Planning & Innovation section of Colorado Springs Utilities. We are planning for the energy transition by adding numerous new sources of generation, including nuclear, piloting advanced technologies and systems to connect and modernize our grid, and helping our customers participate in and benefit from new renewable resources. You will work closely with internal and external teams, regulatory agencies, and the community to drive the permitting and construction of a nuclear facility within Colorado Springs Utilities’ generation portfolio.

Colorado Springs Utilities fosters a work culture that is dedicated to innovation and collaboration. Our employees know they make a difference every day by providing critical services to the public while living and working in a city consistently rated as one of the top in the United States. We utilize today’s talent to build a better tomorrow. Be part of history by developing energy solutions for a reliable and cleaner tomorrow.

As a key member of the Resource and Innovation Planning leadership team, you will report directly to the Manager of Energy Planning & Innovation and will contribute to the overall direction of the Energy Planning & Innovation teams.

As a member of the Energy Resource Planning team, you will provide support for the team in the following areas:

• Manage multiple, complex, large-scale, long-duration projects and/or programs with significant organizational impact. This will include evaluation and potential construction of a nuclear power plant.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including schedules, budgets, and resource allocation for infrastructure projects.
• Develop and/or assist in the development of contract documents (scopes of work, contracts, specifications, etc.) for the procurement of goods and services.
• Oversee and manage external consultants and engineers.
• Monitor project and program progress, track milestones, and ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and present project status reports to senior management, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate regular project meetings to ensure effective communication and collaboration among team members.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize project impact.
• Ensure all project activities comply with regulations and industry standards.

Why should you apply? We are leading the energy transition for our community and working with other utilities, advocacy groups, and regulators to help shape the energy future in our region. We are undertaking the largest infrastructure expansion in our electric service history, expanding into regional markets, and integrating utility and customer-owned renewables. Our planning team is creating a vision for an unknown future. As a key member of this team, you can influence the direction of this future and work with a dedicated team of highly skilled technical professionals who are passionate about their service to our community.

What will it take to be successful in this position? The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to be at the forefront of nuclear technology, working on cutting-edge projects that contribute to a reliable and sustainable energy future. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented with an aptitude for solving unstructured problems and have the flexibility to navigate the evolving complexity of nuclear facility development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in project management. A focus on nuclear projects and site permitting is preferred.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with regulatory bodies, stakeholders, the public, and team members.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced reactor designs and technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of NRC regulations and the ESP process.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a small amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions within an office working environment.

Who We Are:

• One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)
• A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)
• Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements
• Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in the third-most desired city to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)

Our Commitment to Our Employees:
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Wellness Program – A voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program