FERC License Program Manager

Full Job Description

Tacoma Power is seeking an accomplished and strategic Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Program Manager to lead the next chapter of our hydropower licensing and compliance program.

This is a pivotal role within Tacoma Power’s long-term renewable energy strategy.

The position ensures continued regulatory compliance, successful relicensing, and the responsible stewardship of projects that provide nearly half of the region’s clean, affordable power.

Reporting to the Assistant Section Manager for Natural Resources, this position serves as Tacoma Power’s principal authority on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) matters.

The Program Manager oversees all phases of hydropower licensing—new, ongoing, and transitional—while guiding a team of subject matter experts, consultants, and cross-disciplinary partners.

Through steady leadership and sound judgment, this position shapes policy, drives multi-agency collaboration, and reinforces Tacoma Power’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and regional energy leader.

Your Leadership Impact:

Strategic Direction:

• Shape the course of Tacoma Power’s hydropower relicensing and compliance programs, aligning technical excellence with long-range policy, financial, and operational goals.

Regulatory Stewardship:

• Serve as Tacoma Power’s primary liaison with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Division of Licensing and Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC), ensuring every commitment is met with accuracy, transparency, and integrity.

Collaborative Leadership:

• Build and sustain strong relationships with executive leadership, tribal governments, regulatory agencies, and community partners to develop balanced, sustainable solutions that advance Tacoma Power’s mission and values.

Legacy Building:

• The strategies led by this position will influence how Tacoma Power generates and manages hydropower for decades to come, shaping energy affordability, environmental outcomes, and public trust across our region.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Lead Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and compliance program, providing strategic oversight for four active licenses and guiding upcoming relicensing, surrender, and transfer efforts.
• Develop and carry out long-term strategies that align licensing and compliance activities with Tacoma Power’s mission, financial priorities, and environmental commitments.
• Partner with executive leadership and the Senior Management Team to shape policy direction, address complex regulatory challenges, and ensure decisions are well-informed and defensible.
• Oversee program budgeting, forecasting, and staffing to ensure resources support long-term goals and regulatory obligations.

Regulatory Negotiations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Tacoma Power in high-level negotiations with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as environmental and community organizations.
• Build cooperative, transparent relationships with regulators and policymakers to develop and implement license terms and operational agreements that balance reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship.
• Act as Tacoma Power’s primary liaison with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including its Division of Licensing and Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC).
• Monitor federal and regional policy developments that may affect Tacoma Power’s hydropower operations and adapt strategies to stay ahead of evolving requirements.

Operational Oversight & Compliance Excellence

• Direct all monitoring, reporting, and implementation efforts required by hydropower license conditions to ensure full and timely compliance.
• Maintain robust systems for tracking, documentation, and reporting that support transparency, audit readiness, and long-term institutional knowledge.
• Collaborate closely with the Dam Safety Workgroup and internal partners to ensure consistency and alignment across compliance and operational activities.
• Oversee payments to tribes and agencies, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and adherence to contractual commitments.

Leadership, Culture & Team Development

• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and support to a skilled team of program managers, engineers, and natural-resources professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the licensing team and across the broader Natural Resources section.
• Support professional growth through coaching, training, and performance feedback, strengthening both individual capability and organizational expertise.
• Collaborate across Tacoma Power divisions to integrate licensing objectives with operational, environmental, and policy initiatives.

Public Accountability & Program Representation

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and environmental programs, communicating progress and outcomes to leadership, the Public Utility Board, and community stakeholders.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and technical materials that translate complex regulatory information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers.
• Uphold Tacoma Power’s reputation as a leader in sustainable hydropower generation and a responsible steward of the region’s natural resources.

Check out what the team is up to, and what they have to offer!

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cd418c7ce7d846618cf14d09da16ad50

Requirements

Minimum Education*

Minimum Experience*

Qualifications

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Expertise: Deep understanding of FERC hydropower licensing, compliance reporting, and precedent-setting cases. Skilled at interpreting and applying FERC orders, guidance documents, and Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC) standards.

Strategic and Systems Thinking: Ability to connect complex regulatory, technical, and policy requirements into clear strategies that sustain hydropower operations and support long-term environmental and organizational goals.

Leadership and Influence: Proven success leading cross-functional teams of engineers, scientists, consultants, and policy professionals. Recognized for building collaboration, clarity, and accountability across executive, regulatory, and stakeholder groups.

Negotiation and Consensus Building: Experienced in leading sensitive, high-stakes discussions with Tribes, agencies, and partner organizations. Skilled at finding balanced outcomes that protect both operational reliability and environmental integrity.

Governance and Accountability: Strong record of establishing clear governance systems, performance metrics, and decision frameworks that ensure transparency, defensibility, and fiscal responsibility in large-scale public programs.

Communication and Representation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical and regulatory concepts into plain language for executive leadership, policymakers, and the public. Comfortable leading meetings, workshops, and complex consultations.

Financial and Operational Insight: Experienced in budgeting, cost forecasting, and resource allocation for multi-million-dollar programs. Adept at aligning financial planning with long-term compliance and organizational objectives.

Commitment to Stewardship and Equity: Dedication to Tacoma Power’s mission of delivering clean, affordable energy while protecting regional ecosystems and fostering equitable, transparent relationships with the communities we serve.

Additional Information

Tacoma Power has partnered with J POWERS RECRUITING, INC. to conduct this recruitment. The firm will assist in identifying and screening highly qualified candidates who bring the experience, leadership, and regulatory acumen needed for this pivotal role.

All inquiries and application materials should be directed exclusively to J POWERS RECRUITING, INC. via their secure application portal at https://jpowersinc.com.

The recruitment firm will conduct an initial review of applications to verify qualifications and may contact select applicants for clarification or additional information prior to forwarding final candidate materials to Tacoma Power.

Tacoma Power is committed to creating an equitable, transparent, and inclusive hiring process. We encourage applicants from diverse professional and personal backgrounds to apply, including those with transferable experience across energy, environmental policy, and regulatory leadership.

For more information or confidential inquiries, please contact:

Jenna Flanagan
J Powers Recruiting, Inc.

jenna@jpowersinc.com

(916) 304-6663
www.jpowersinc.com

Candidate Considerations:

Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their cover letter how their professional background aligns with the key qualifications and leadership expectations outlined below:

• Leadership in FERC hydropower licensing and compliance programs, including negotiation and implementation experience.
• Strategic oversight of large-scale regulatory or environmental initiatives, preferably within the power or energy sector.
• Experience collaborating with Tribes, regulatory agencies, and diverse stakeholder groups to achieve balanced and sustainable outcomes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical and policy teams, guiding complex programs from conception through long-term execution.
• Financial and operational acumen in managing multi-million-dollar budgets or portfolios tied to regulatory obligations.

Applications submitted through J Powers Recruiting Inc. should include a résumé and cover letter that clearly address these areas of experience and demonstrate alignment with Tacoma Power’s mission and values.

Filing Deadline:

We will be reviewing first round applications on Monday, 11/17 with the initial round of interviews on Tuesday, 11/25.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $170,164.80 - $239,595.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail.

As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
https://www.mytpu.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve.

We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.

Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation.

If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience.

We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia.

The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States.

Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country.

The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area.

Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI