Solar Technical Project Manager

The starting salary for this role is £43,923 per annum for working 36 hours per week.

This is a 24-month, fixed-term contract with strong potential to be made permanent.

We operate a policy of agile and hybrid working, currently the team is working 1 to 2 days a week at our office in Woking with the remaining days at home.

We are excited to be hiring a new Solar Technical Project Manager to join our growing Strategic Energy team that works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver the Council's solar programmes.

The role is likely to require occasional business travel to other locations in Surrey to visit projects and attend meetings. Options are available for the post holder to utilise car clubs for business travel but the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role is required.

Rewards and benefits

• 26 days' holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the team

The Greener Futures Team has a crucial role in supporting the commitment of the Council to reduce CO2 emissions in Surrey to net zero by 2050, and to achieve its organisational net zero target by 2030. The Strategic Energy Team has been highly successful in obtaining grant funding and securing internal budgets, and despite being a relatively new team it has already seen multiple projects from ideation to completion. We are now creating a solar division within that team as the SCC's solar portfolio is expected to grow exponentially over the next years.

About the role

As a Solar Technical Project Manager you will be providing technical, project development and management support of SCC's solar energy portfolio, including solar rooftops, carports, small ground-mounted and solar farms. These projects will be primarily in a variety of council-owned buildings (such as fire stations, libraries, offices, schools, etc.) and in council-owned land. You will also support solar projects in other public buildings, not owned by the council (potentially hospitals, universities, etc).

This is essentially a technical role, responsible for:

• Identifying opportunities for solar projects
• Undertaking or reviewing feasibility assessments
• Providing technical professional advice on specifications of equipment for projects
• Supporting procurement processes and programme governance
• Liaising with District Network Operators and the SCC Planning team when required
• Writing business cases

Shortlisting criteria

As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a CV and answer the following 3 questions:

• We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual who bring ideas and innovation, and who can support the team in accelerating our solar programme. Please explain what motivated you to apply for this role.
• Considering that Climate Change is a key strategic priority for SCC, and in view of our very challenging net zero objectives, what experience and skills can you bring to our team?
• Please give us one or more examples of when you supported the delivery of a solar project. What was your role in the process from feasibility to delivery and completion?

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your answers to the above application questions and your CV will clearly evidence the following:

• A relevant degree qualification e.g. a Science, Environmental or Engineering Degree (with renewable energy and particularly solar PV content) and/or substantial practical experience working with solar PV
• Specialist knowledge and experience in supporting the delivery of solar energy projects across the project cycle
• Excellent understanding of carbon reduction measures and renewable energy technologies and an understanding of the policies, regulations, market context, and opportunities and challenges facing local authorities in the energy sector
• Understanding of the current energy policy landscape in the UK
• Knowledge of Power Purchase Agreements and financial modelling for solar projects
• Good relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills with outstanding project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
• The willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 04.04.2024 with in-person interviews planned for 10.04.2024 at Quadrant Court, Woking.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.