FERC License Program Manager

Overview

Tacoma Power is seeking a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Program Manager to lead the next chapter of our hydropower licensing and compliance program. This pivotal role supports Tacoma Power’s long-term renewable energy strategy, regulatory compliance, relicensing efforts, and the responsible stewardship of projects that provide a substantial portion of the region’s power.

Reporting to the Assistant Section Manager for Natural Resources, this position serves as Tacoma Power’s principal authority on 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 leadership and sound judgment, this position shapes policy, drives multi-agency collaboration, and reinforces Tacoma Power’s reputation as an 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 commitments are met with accuracy, transparency, and integrity.

Collaborative Leadership:

• Build and sustain 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, shaping energy affordability, environmental outcomes, and public trust across the region.

Program Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Lead Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and compliance program, providing strategic oversight for four active licenses and guiding relicensing, surrender, and transfer efforts.
• Develop and implement 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 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 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 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 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 team of program managers, engineers, and natural-resources professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the…