Salary : $152,941.28 - $236,851.88 Annually
Location : Monterey, CA
Job Type: Full-Time 1
Job Number: 2026-11-13
Department: Energy Solutions
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 12/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionAnnual Salary Range: $152,941.28 - $236,851.88 annually, depending on qualifications.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Monterey, CA; Soquel, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; San Luis Obispo, CA. Hybrid.
About the Position: Under the direction of the Director of Energy Solutions, the Manager of Business Development & Site Planning is responsible for building and vetting 3CE's pipeline of local energy projects and for leading energy related projects. This classification works with 3CE departments to identify potential projects, completes feasibility and financial analysis, and vets initial concepts with site hosts, permitting agencies, and engineering. The Manager brings strong projects forward for approval and hands projects to the Manager of Project Delivery & Operations for delivery. This classification ensures that the projects 3CE pursues are well-sited, financially sound, and aligned with 3CE's vision, mission, and goals.
This is an exciting opportunity to build and grow a team as part of a new department. The Department of Energy Solutions at 3CE provides local energy solutions to the Central Coast through projects and assets owned by 3CE, and this Manager will shape which projects 3CE pursues and how they are developed.
Class Characteristics: This is a management class with business development, site planning, financial analysis, real estate, and supervisory responsibilities. The position requires comprehensive knowledge of energy project development, from site identification and land control through interconnection and permitting. The Manager owns the front end of the DES project process, keeping project vetting separate from construction and operations. The Manager prepares projects for each approval step: initial review by the Director, feasibility study approval by the Chief-Power-Officer and CEO, and budget approval by the Board. As the department grows, this role is expected to supervise additional positions as the team and projects grow.
Distribution and transmission level projects may include clean generation and storage that use the latest technologies to meet agency procurement and local customer needs. Other energy infrastructure projects may include public EV chargers and installation/management of T&D for member agencies.
Example of Duties - Work with other departments to compile and maintain a list of potential projects in the 3CE service area, using a standard project intake form.
- Screen potential projects and prepare feasibility studies and financial analysis, including capital cost, revenue, financing structure, and risk.
- Vet initial project concepts with site hosts, permitting agencies, utilities, and engineering, and recommend which projects should advance.
- Identify and secure sites, including land options and leases, working with real estate brokers and environmental planners.
- Lead the initial planning of projects, including distressed greenfield sites, development projects, and local power partnerships with member agencies.
- Review interconnection queues and clusters to identify stalled local projects and evaluate opportunities for 3CE to acquire or partner on them.
- Develop build-transfer agreement (BTA) templates and financing structures with developers.
- Coordinate with Power Supply department to confirm the portfolio value of potential projects, and identify and refer power purchase agreement (PPA) opportunities to Power Supply for negotiation.
- Lead the Capital Planning Assessment (CPA) process for the larger pipeline of potential projects.
- Prepare projects for each approval step, including initial review by the Director, feasibility study approval by the Chief-Power-Officer and CEO, and budget approval by the Board.
- Hand off approved distribution-level projects to the Manager of Project Delivery & Operations, and request technical review from that position as needed.
- Manage on-call contracts for environmental planning, land use, and related services.
- Prepare staff reports and presentations, and present to senior staff, the Board of Directors, member agencies, and external stakeholders.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff as positions are added.
- Other duties as assigned.
Typical QualificationsKnowledge of:- Clean energy and storage project development, including origination, site selection, land control, and permitting.
- Principles of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, and California ISO and utility interconnection processes.
- Project finance, financial modeling, and feasibility analysis, including tax credits, debt, and ownership structures.
- Development agreements, including build-transfer agreements, land options, and leases.
- Wholesale power markets and power purchase agreements.
- Land use, environmental review (including CEQA), and permitting processes.
- Public agency procurement and contract administration.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
- Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Ability to:- Identify, evaluate, and rank potential projects against clear financial and technical criteria.
- Build and interpret financial models and present the results clearly.
- Negotiate with landowners, developers, site hosts, and member agencies.
- Coordinate work across departments, consultants, and outside agencies.
- Prepare clear staff reports, feasibility studies, and presentations, and present to the Board of Directors.
- Manage multiple projects at different stages and adapt to changing priorities.
- Use tact, initiative, and independent judgment within policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish and maintain effective filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate staff, including setting priorities, assigning and reviewing work, and building an effective business development and site planning team as the department grows.
Education and Experience: Any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business, finance, economics, engineering, environmental studies, urban planning, or a related field. A master's degree in a related field is desirable.
Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in energy project development, business development, or site planning, of which two (2) years should include supervising staff or managing consultants.
Highly Desirable: Experience originating and developing utility-scale or distributed solar, storage, or wind projects, including site control, interconnection, and project finance. A self-driven professional who can build strong relationships with developers, landowners, member agencies, and permitting agencies. Excellent written and oral communication skills, engaging presentation abilities, and the ability to make a clear business case to executives and the Board.
Licenses: Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license, safe driving record, and evidence of insurance.
Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is a plus but not required.
Supplemental Information3CE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS RECRUITMENT AT ANY TIME BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE AS DESIGNATED BY CEO: Current remote workdays are scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays
OR Employee may elect to work a 9/80 work schedule with alternating Fridays
or Mondays off.
BENEFITS: 3CE offers a competitive benefits structure to its full-time employees.
RETIREMENT: Employees contribute 10% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the PARS retirement system, and the employer contributes 10% towards PARS.
HEALTH INSURANCE: 3CE pays 90% employer paid coverage for employee plus family coverage. 100% employer paid for single coverage towards medical, dental, and vision. 3CE contributes up to $2400 annually towards flexible spending benefits and $3600.00 towards HRA.
HEALTH & WELLNESS: 3CE contributes $1,000 per fiscal year for health, wellness, or EV reimbursement.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: 3CE offers 457 deferred compensations.
PTO: 180 hours annually on an accrual basis per pay period.
CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE: This position is eligible for a cell phone allowance of $50.00 monthly.
Application Process:To be considered for this position, please submit a 3CE employment application, detailed resume, cover letter, and three professional references through 3CE's online Careers portal at
Following the filing date, applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure and the class specification. Candidates deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will proceed with the selection process, which may include a written examination, oral presentation, oral interview, or a combination.
3CE offers a range of employee benefits, including but not limited to:
- 10% Employer Contribution and 10% Employee Contribution to 401(a) Retirement
- Health Premiums Contribution
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employer Contribution to Heath Reimbursement Account
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Group Life
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Cell Phone Stipend
- Paid Family Leave Wage Replacement of 12 Weeks After One Year of Employment.
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Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
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I have attached my resume and cover letter to my application under the "Attachments" section. I understand that if I do NOT attach a resume and cover letter to my application, I will not be considered for this vacancy.
03
I understand that continued employment with Central Coast Community Energy is subject to candidates securing long-term work authorizations needed to work in the United States.
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Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
05
Will you now or in the future require employment visa sponsorship?
06
I understand that an incomplete application may lead to disqualification from the recruitment process and I have supplied all the applicable information in my application. Examples of incomplete/inaccurate information leading to disqualification include, but are not limited to: noting incorrect department, leaving dates of employment blank, leaving reason for leaving employment blank, leaving duties blank or noting "see resume", etc.
Required Question
