Utility Data Center Advisor (Energy Innovation Advisor)

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state's largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.
Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country's fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.
Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.
Summary
The Utility Data Center Advisor (Energy Innovation Advisor) is responsible for providing technical consultation and expertise for key customer and utility-focused Data Center and technology programs. Develops and maintains technical expertise on a wide breadth of operational technologies and acts as technical lead on major projects and programs related to Data Center customers, coordinating and managing activities across multiple business units to extract the highest value. Develops and delivers high level presentations to executive leadership committees including providing expert recommendations on best course of action. Develops relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally. Reports to senior management on program status and provides advice on critical issues and opportunities. Provides technical consultation and expertise in the domain of on-site, distributed backup power generation (Microgrids) and energy storage. Participates in recognized industry and/or professional organizations including national and international standards bodies.
Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Engineering, Science, Finance, Business or related field
• Membership in recognized industry and/or professional organizations.
• Capable of developing state-of-the-art solution(s) to challenging and complex problems, meeting aggressive time schedules and supporting multi-discipline teams.
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to research initiatives and stay current with industry trends & developments.
• Ability to develop emerging technologies to deliver the business strategy and customer solutions, analyze emerging technologies and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to inform and influence key internal and external decision makers up to the CEO.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to convey complex/technical content in a coherent and compelling story for audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge and exert influence.
• Ability to establish relationships with multiple technology teams and provide subject-matter expertise and advice relevant to specific business needs.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors' degree in Engineering, Science, Information Technology or related field and 12 years of prior relevant experience in the technology (with at least 5 years in Data Center sector) sector with an understanding of regulatory, technical and business issues impacting the industry with emphasis on renewables, distributed energy or grid technologies. In lieu of Bachelor's degree, High School/GED plus 16 years directly related experience in the power or technology sector with an understanding of regulatory, technical and business issues impacting the industry with emphasis on renewables, distributed energy and grid technologies.
• Experience building complete and complex business cases with multiple options using research and analysis.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of emerging energy technologies and related business models, such as solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy management software platforms, etc.
• In-depth knowledge of energy issues, technologies, markets, the electric utility industry, and relevant state and federal requirements.
• Strong background in R&D, Innovation, creation of pilot and proof of concept programs and measurement, and strategic thinking. Able to clearly articulate a vision and maturation path for a broad area of technology focus.

Major Accountabilities
1. Consult and provide expert advice on highly complex and unique technical issues which lack technical or engineering precedent and require the application of advanced engineering principles.
2. Research and identify emerging and innovative technology solutions to support key customer and utility-focused business initiatives. Develop and manage the programmatic aspects for related programs such as Energy Storage and Microgrid.
3. Develop and evaluate Point of Concept (POC) test plans and use cases to ensure full integration into program platform. Review and oversee execution of technical requirements as documented throughout the project.
4. Provide oversight and direction to the teams performing research and analysis related to emerging technologies and impact to business.
5. Prepare objective reports and quarterly metrics tracking the current and potential cost of utility scale distributed vs. centralized generation technologies. Through continuous learning, stay abreast of trends (technical, market, regulatory and political) and utilize this knowledge in order to maximize corporate benefits and minimize negative impacts.
6. Resolve complex project issues with departmental staff, other departments, executive management, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to meet project requirements.
7. Develop and maintain relationships with key local and state Energy Innovation stakeholders.
8. Prepare publications and/or papers for industry periodicals, meetings and/or conferences. Participate, as Company representative in various forums, committees and working groups dealing with Energy Innovation, technical, policy and regulatory issues. May chair or lead working groups or standards bodies.
Key Level Differentiators:

• Works on highly complex enterprise wide projects that require in-depth knowledge across multiple specialized architecture domains
• Implements strategic goals established by business unit leadership
• Plans, designs, and develops technical projects and initiatives
• Provides measurable input into new processes, emerging technical standards and/ or plans that will have significant impact on the achievement of overall business unit results
• Work is performed with limited oversight
• Solves highly complex technical problems and recommends solutions with impact across diverse technologies and stakeholders.
• Makes complex decisions on concepts outside of direct responsibility.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement
This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.
Flex Role:
This position is not required to be performed at a specific APS facility as long as adequate technology and a solid ergonomic set up are present. Pending agreement with leadership, employees hired into this role will be able to choose where they prefer to perform their work. Employees will have two options to choose from:

• APS office based: The employee prefers to work most of the time from an APS facility.
• Home based: The employee prefers to work most of the time from his/her home.

*Employees in Flex roles are required to reside in Arizona (or NM for Four Corners-based employees). Role types are subject to change based on business need.