<>APPLICATION MATERIALS
Applicants are required to submit a combined resume and cover letter and resume in one PDF document. Please review the cover letter assignment below.
To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.
Incomplete materials will not be considered.
This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review date for application materials is scheduled for (date).
Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at to discuss the position.
Sr. Program Manager Cover Letter Assignment
At Chelan County PUD (The District), we believe great program leaders don t just deliver projects they enable people, strengthen trust, and help organizations thrive through change. This cover letter is not a formality. It is an opportunity for you to show us how you think, lead, and partner with others.
We invite you to respond to the prompts below in a way that feels authentic to you. There are no right answers. We are far more interested in your thinking, judgment, and leadership approach than in polished perfection.
Cover Letter Format Guidance
- Length: 1 2 pages (flexible)
- Tone: Professional, human, and genuine
- Structure: Your choice (narrative, sections, or a blend)
1. Your Program Leadership Story
Our brains are wired for stories they reveal values, judgment, and experience far better than bullet points.
- Tell us about a complex program or initiative you led that matters to you.
- What made it complex (people, technology, risk, ambiguity, scale)?
- What role did you play as the program leader?
- What was at stake for the organization and for the people involved in this project/program?
We are listening for how you frame problems, make decisions, and lead through uncertainty.
2. Project Delivery Fundamentals in Action
Strong delivery builds confidence and psychological safety for teams and stakeholders.
Using a real example:
- How do you establish clarity of scope, outcomes, and success measures?
- How do you plan and manage dependencies, risks, and trade-offs?
- How do you balance structure (plans, governance, cadence) with adaptability?
- When delivery pressure rises, what fundamentals do you rely on most and why?
This is your opportunity to demonstrate your command of project and program management as a leadership discipline, not just a methodology.
3. Meeting Stakeholders Where They Are
People adopt change when they feel heard, respected, and safe.
- Describe a time you worked with diverse or resistant stakeholders.
- How did you assess where they were emotionally and cognitively?
- How did you adjust your communication, influence, or engagement style?
- What signals told you trust was increasing or breaking down?
We are especially interested in how you listen, adapt, and build alignment across roles, power dynamics, and perspectives.
4. Organizational Change Management & Adoption
Successful delivery isn t complete at go-live it s complete when people can thrive.
- How do you intentionally incorporate Organizational Change Management principles into program delivery?
- How do you partner with business leaders, sponsors, and end users to support adoption?
- What techniques do you use to reduce change fatigue and increase confidence?
- How do you measure whether a solution is truly being adopted?
Feel free to reference formal OCM frameworks or practical techniques you ve learned through experience.
5. Reflection & Growth
The best project delivery leaders are reflective learners.
- What is a lesson learned from a program that changed how you lead today?
- What kind of environments bring out your best work and what do you need from a PMO to thrive?
- Why does the Senior Program Manager role at Chelan County PUD resonate with you at this stage of your career?
<>Closing Thought
This assignment is intentionally designed to create space for thinking, reflection, and storytelling. We encourage you to be real, thoughtful, and human. If selected, you ll be joining a PMO that values clarity, empathy, learning, and meaningful impact both for the District and the communities we have the honor to serve.
We look forward to learning how you lead.
<>SALARY RANGE
The starting salary range for this position is $112,960 - $141,200 (based on qualifications). With tenure and strong performance in this role an employee may earn up to a maximum of $169,440 annualized.
Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.
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JOB POSTINGTechnology Programs Manager III
Overview
This senior-level role in the Technology Program Manager (TPM) job family is accountable for shaping and delivering complex, high-impact technology programs that drive strategic priorities and generate measurable business and community value. As a trusted advisor to project sponsor, governance bodies, and leaders throughout the organization, the TPM III aligns technology investments with long-term organizational goals, championing modernization, customer experience, and infrastructure resilience. This role leads enterprise programs through the full end-to-end lifecycle from strategic planning and business case development to implementation and closeout while ensuring alignment with enterprise standards for security, data integrity, and performance. The TPM III brings deep expertise in program leadership, organizational change, and risk mitigation to guide cross-functional delivery, strengthen governance, and manage critical interdependencies. By fostering innovation, driving continuous improvement, and translating strategy into results, the TPM III exemplifies systems thinking and enterprise accountability. This role serves as a catalyst for transformational initiatives, ensuring the District's technology investments deliver sustainable impact and long-term value.
Responsibilities - Portfolio Management: Designs and evolves enterprise-level technology programs that span multiple business areas and support long-term organizational objectives. Collaborates with senior executives to define strategic outcomes and ensure alignment with enterprise priorities. Drives the full program lifecycle from visioning and business case development through implementation, adoption, and performance evaluation. Maintains integrated scopes, resource and financial plans, and delivery frameworks to support cross-functional teams and vendor coordination. Develops organizational change management strategies, including stakeholder readiness assessments, communication planning, and adoption efforts to support transformation. Tracks program and portfolio performance using KPIs and stakeholder input to support continuous improvement. Contributes to long-range financial planning and forecasting by delivering actionable, transparent investment insights, and facilitates post-program reviews to inform the evolution of PMO standards.
- Project Delivery: Leadership Across the Full end-to-end Lifecycle, Designs, plans, and executes complex, transformational programs spanning multiple business domains and aligned with long-term strategic goals, applying both PMBOK and Agile principles across the full delivery lifecycle. Develops business cases and maintains portfolio data to enhance visibility and decision-making. Coordinates cross-functional teams and vendors to align resources, timelines, and dependencies while collaborating with analysts, product owners, and sponsors to anticipate impacts, support readiness, and drive adoption. Delivers communication, training, and engagement strategies to strengthen stakeholder alignment. Oversees financial structures and contracts across operating and capital budgets to support funding alignment, addresses risks and interdependencies through escalation paths and portfolio visibility, and applies KPIs and feedback to inform adaptive planning. Advances PMO practices through contributions to governance, delivery standards, and capability development.
- Vendor/Contract Management: Drive strategic vendor and consultant partnerships that support successful execution of enterprise programs. Lead contract-related activities, development of RFPs and coordination of solution evaluations. Collaborate with Legal, Procurement, and executive stakeholders to negotiate and review agreements that align with program objectives and risk thresholds. Oversee contract compliance throughout the planning and implementation phases, and manage vendor performance to ensure adherence to quality, delivery timelines, and security standards.
- Mentorship and Organizational Development: Act as a thought leader and mentor across the Business Technology Solutions team and broader organization. Provide coaching, training, and professional development support to junior and mid-level staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation. Advance delivery maturity by shaping PMO standards, frameworks, and cross-functional practices.
- Learning and Innovation: Continuously invest in professional growth through certifications, leadership development, and emerging practice adoption. Apply learning to enhance team performance, accelerate transformation efforts, and promote innovation in enterprise delivery.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Reports To
Manager - Technology PMO
Overtime exemption
Exempt
Qualifications
Education - Bachelor's Degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field is required.
- Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.
Experience - 5+ years of experience in an advanced program or project management role is required.
- Utility experience is preferred.
- Exposure to cybersecurity, infrastructure, or enterprise applications is desired.
Licenses and Certifications - Industry-recognized certifications such as Scrum Alliance, SAFe, PMP, or Prosci Certified Change Practitioner are preferred.
Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities: - Servant Leadership Supports team success by fostering collaboration, removing barriers, and promoting shared ownership.
- Collaborative Leader - A champion of open communication and trust, fostering partnerships across functions, stakeholders, and leadership to amplify collective potential.
- Results-Driven Achiever - Committed to excellence at every phase, balancing speed, quality, and efficiency to exceed expectations and achieve transformational outcomes.
- Agile Leadership Leads cross-functional project teams using Agile frameworks to drive high-impact outcomes; evangelizes best practices and supports organizational maturity in Agile adoption
- Agile Facilitation Coaches others in Agile principles and fosters team ownership, continuous delivery, and rapid iteration.
- Solution Delivery Integrates Agile with enterprise delivery models to scale product delivery across multiple departments and stakeholders
- Enterprise Systems Knowledge Demonstrates in-depth expertise in core business applications used by the District and other utility providers, applying them to optimize cross-functional processes.
- Business Process Integration Understands and leverages technical and functional interdependencies across departments to improve end-to-end solution design.
- Technology Design Designs and adapts enterprise-grade technology to meet evolving user and business requirements across functional areas.
- Operations Analysis Applies advanced analysis to evaluate complex operational needs and translate them into scalable, high-value technology solutions.
- Systems Analysis Expert ability to assess how systems function and how environmental or operational changes impact performance and outcomes.
- Systems Evaluation Proactively identifies key performance indicators and drives actions to enhance system effectiveness in alignment with business goals.
- Contractual Compliance & Performance - Successful management of program-related contracts, ensuring all vendor agreements are adhered to and deliverables meet performance expectations.
- Advanced knowledge of system analysis, customer needs assessment, and requirements gathering techniques and related documentation standards.
- Utility Operations Expertise Applies deep knowledge of utility operations and industry best practices to shape system design and IT planning.
- Clear Communication Delivers clear, persuasive communication in both technical and business contexts; adapts messaging to diverse audiences including executives.
- Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Quality Control Analysis Establishes and leads testing protocols to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance of systems and solutions.
- Troubleshooting Anticipates and resolves complex system issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis techniques.
- Negotiation Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Persuasion Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
Background Screening - Pursuant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to the District's critical physical and/or cyber assets.
Physical Demands - Sitting Regularly 67-100%
- Standing Occasional 11-33%
- Walking Occasional 11-33%
- Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor-Waist Occasional 11-33%
- Lifting 1-10 lbs Waist-Shoulders Occasional 11-33%
- Lifting 1-10 lbs Above Shoulders Occasional 11-33%
- Stooping/Bending Seldom 0-10%
- Reach Waist to Shoulder Seldom 0-10%
- Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) Frequent 34-66%
- Repetitive Motions Frequent 34-66%
- Talking Frequent 34-66%
- Hearing Frequent 34-66%
- Visual - Far Acuity Seldom 0-10%
- Visual - Depth Perception Seldom 0-10%
Working Conditions - Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate
District Values - Trust - We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve.
- Safety - We protect what matters most through the choices we make.
- Stewardship - We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.
- Collaboration - We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power - partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future.
- Courage - We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.
The job functions and physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. |
<>BACKGROUND SCREENING
Pursuant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to the District's critical physical and/or cyber assets.
<>DISCLAIMER
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.
As part of its recruiting process, Chelan PUD may engage a third-party vendor to perform previous employment verification, education verification, and reference checking.
<>EEO
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.
EEO Law Posters can be found on the main page in English and Spanish.
Chelan PUD will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c)
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