Manager, Natural Gas & Energy Resources

Position Overview

As the Manager, Natural Gas & Energy Resources, you will lead our energy management team, ensuring effective utilization and optimization of natural gas resources and long-term power supply across our generation portfolio. Your leadership to organize, develop and recommend strategies will contribute to our ability to deliver cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy solutions. You will work collaboratively with leadership and other departments, including legal, operations and external affairs.

This position will manage the Association’s natural gas planning, storage, and supply strategy to meet the electric load, optimize margin generation and manage risk. It will also administer the Beluga River Unit (BRU) natural gas field management and strategic positioning. The position will manage the long-term economy and wholesale energy sales.

Essential Functions

Manage the Association’s long-term planning and strategy for obtaining a sustained natural gas supply.
Manage the purchase, transportation, storage, and receipt of natural gas.
Manage the majority Working Interest Ownership (WIO) in the BRU gas field: Coordinate with other WIO entities to manage and plan BRU management, development, and strategic positioning with BRU Co-Owner/Operator.  Foster positive relationships with operators technical and management staff.
Represent Chugach in all negotiations, meetings, and communications related to the BRU.
Monitor daily operations including development drilling programs to ensure safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and aligned with Chugach goals for the asset.
Track daily production and costs to ensure operator is meeting Unit budgets and goals. When operations deviate from agreed plans, engage operator and implement corrective actions.
Research and evaluate new gas supplies, methods, storage and delivery options to optimize gas production and cost.
Review and manage the capital and operating budgets and take corrective action.
Prepare and present regular reports to executive leadership including the Board of Directors on field development, performance, opportunities, and recommended strategies.
Create, negotiate, oversee, and administer fuel, transportation, and storage supply contracts and/or sales.
Create, negotiate, oversee, and administer economy electric sales/purchase transactions among utilities.
Administer spot purchases of fuel, storage and/or transportation to be implemented by fuel operations.
Establish and maintain communication and business relationships with fuel suppliers, utility buyers, and other stakeholders through a variety of channels.
Direct and manages the long range fuel and power supply positions of the Association: May represent the Association on the Power Pool Settlement Committee.
Manage power pooling agreements including processes and standard practices to schedule power sales, purchases and commercial transactions.
Manage development, implement and maintenance of the integrated resource plan.
Monitor administration and scheduling of gas supply, gas storage and power sales contract implementation, power pool settlements in collaboration with Fuel Operations and System Operations.
Collaborate with System Operations on the power pooling agreements and associated long range planning.
Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

Chief Strategic Officer: Reports to, receives direction and guidance from.
Other Chugach Managers/Staff: Provide or exchange information as required. Develop and maintain working relationships.
Board of Directors: Prepares and presents to, receives information, and responds to inquiries, as directed by Chief Strategic Officer.

External

Bargaining Unit Representatives
BRU Co-Owner/Operator: Coordinates with and exchanges information.  Represents Chugach’s interest in the BRU asset and influences the Operator to operate and develop the BRU field, aligned with Chugach goals and objectives.
LNG Import Supplier: Coordinates with and exchanges information. Represents Chugach in relationship building and in all contract matters.
Gas suppliers and storage providers (Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska: CINGSA): Coordinate with and exchange information.
Regulatory Commission of Alaska: Provides testimony on gas supply management, BRU management, and other gas management related issues.
Power Pool Settlement Committee: Association’s Representative
Railbelt Electric Utilities: Coordinates actions relating to purchases, sales, operating guides, maintenance, and reserves.

Competencies

Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to negotiate Association initiatives.
Knowledge of natural gas resource development including field operations, exploration drilling, pipeline development and delivery systems.
Knowledge LNG import supply chain.
Knowledge of contract administration and accounting procedures for managing gas production, transportation and storage assets or contracts.
Demonstrated knowledge of operating and accounting processes for sourcing and managing economy energy transactions.
Ability to interpret, clarify, and make decisions regarding technical data that impacts economic operations.
Strong writing, analytical and computer skills.
Experience in upstream oil and gas operations.
Effective leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and foster collaboration.
Knowledge of reservoir engineering, drilling operations, production optimization, and Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) best practices.
Proficiency in financial analysis, budget management, and economic evaluations in oil and gas operations, field development and/or exploration.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position oversees and manages the Energy Resource and Corporate Planning & Analysis functions.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Some field trips by aircraft may be required. Travel with overnight stay on the jobsite is sometimes necessary.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (petroleum, electrical, power, energy resources) or similar degree, required.

Experience

Seven (7) years of related natural gas industry or gas/electrical utility experience, to include gas supply, gas field development, operations or management or energy resource, required. Additional experience in contract administration or accounting, preferred.

Substitution

Additional education and/or experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Chugach Electric Association Company Description
Chugach Electric Association is the leading power utility in Alaska committed to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions to our members. We are also one of the few vertically integrated cooperative utilities in North America with a majority ownership stake in a natural gas field which currently provides much of our fuel needs.  In addition, we are actively bringing on new natural gas supplies and clean energy projects.  With a strong focus on planning, efficiency, and environmental stewardship, we strive to deliver cutting-edge energy solutions and services while maintaining our commitment to corporate responsibility.

Benefits
Health Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision & RX (Premiums fully paid for by Chugach Electric)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Telemedicine

Financial Security

401K Plan
Defined Benefit (Pension)
Retirement Investment Services
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Chugach Electric
Supplemental Life Insurance
Short Term/Long Term Disability
Flex Spending Account (Health, Limited Use, Dependent Care)

Work, Life, Health

20 days vacation for first year of employment
9 Paid Holidays, 2 Paid Float Holidays & 1 Paid Birthday Holiday
Employee Assistance Program
MetLife Will Preparation