Position Description for New Maui Energy “Czar” Commissioner Announced

Jan. 15 energy press conference. Photo credit Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The County of Maui has posted a position description for its new Energy Commissioner position.  The job is by mayoral appointment, and pays between $75,000 to $80,000 annually, plus County of Maui benefits.

The new position was among two announced during a press conference on Jan. 15, in which the Mayor unveiled a report that studied utility options to the proposed NextEra/Hawaiian Electric deal.

In addition to the commissioner or energy “czar,” the county is also looking to hire a utility consultant, a position that will help guide the county through the next steps of the utilities process.  The mayor said he will be adding $2 million to the 2017 Fiscal Year budget proposal and plans to put that position out to bid.

Guernsey report. Photo by Wendy Osher.

According to the county description of the Maui Energy Commissioner, the individual will work as a liaison for the administration to create and implement energy policy for the County of Maui.  “This position is tasked with strategically working on Maui’s energy future to create reliable, affordable energy sources using as much clean energy technology as possible, and delivering them in the fairest and most transparent way possible to the consumer,” a job posting stated.

“The Maui Energy Commissioner must strive to work toward Maui County’s goal of 100% renewable energy in 2045,” according to the job posting.

The commissioner will work under the supervision of the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.  The job posting listed the following “essential functions” for the opening:

• Energy Policy and Planning Experience: The County of Maui is seeking job applicants with experience in the development of energy policies and planning for electric utilities, energy regulatory agencies, and/or energy services companies. Preference will be given to job applicants with energy policy and planning experience related to the distributed energy resources industry and related to sustainable energy systems planning.
• Electric Utility Regulatory Experience: The County of Maui is seeking job applicants with work experience with or before state and/or federal energy regulatory agencies. Preference will be given to job applicants with regulatory experience related to the restructuring of energy markets, particularly related to the restructuring of the retail energy services markets.
• Energy Systems Project Development Experience: The County of Maui is seeking job applicants with experience developing energy projects. Preference will be given to job applicants with experience developing distributed energy resources for government agencies.
• Outreach: The energy commissioner is the administration’s liaison to the Maui County Council and to the public regarding energy related issues. Outreach includes attending meetings, giving speeches as requested, working on the Maui Energy Conference committee, fielding phone calls from the public, working closely with the County of Maui Energy Coordinator, and other duties as requested by the Director or the Mayor.

Minimum qualifications include the equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in a related field and a minimum of five years experience in an energy related field.

Additional requirements and qualifications have been outlined by the Mayor’s Office.

All applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, interview with the selection committee, interview with the mayor, and if offered a position, successfully complete of a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen test.

Cover letters and resumes can be submitted via email to: [email protected].  The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016.