The Position
This announcement is for two (2) positions as described below:
Department of Public Works
The City of Santa Clara's Department of Public Works seeks a results-oriented and innovative engineer to serve out the Department's mission to provide the highest quality public works services to the residents of Santa Clara, the development community, and our customers in a responsible and efficient manner. The Department has focus areas that include Engineering Services and Operations and Maintenance. Engineering Services is comprised of five divisions: Administration, Traffic, Design, Land and Property Development, and Field Services. Operations and Maintenance include public roadways, parkways and boulevards, City trees, street sweeping, environmental programs, storm drain systems, fleet, solid and mixed waste/recyclables, and City facilities. For more information about the Department of Public Works please visit the department website.
The Traffic Engineering Division provides traffic engineering (lead and support for the design and construction of both City and private development projects), traffic impact analysis reviews for private development projects and transportation projects, bicycle and pedestrian improvement planning, grant administration, and traffic signal maintenance and operation services for the City.
The division receives and investigates resident/business inquiries related to street parking, traffic calming, intersection control (i.e., signals, warning beacons, regulatory signage, and crosswalks), and bicycling and pedestrian travel on public streets. The investigations may involve interaction with the residents, field review, traffic data collection, and evaluation of collected information with established city policies to prepare engineering recommendations for possible improvements.
The division also focuses on multi-modal planning and implementation related explicitly to the goals and projects included with the City’s Bicycle Plan, Pedestrian Masterplan, and the City’s Complete Streets policy. Finally, this division coordinates with other agencies such as the Valley Transportation Authority, County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports, Caltrans, and the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale related to projects, programs, and grant opportunities. Experience in customer service, traffic design and construction, transportation planning, traffic control device operations, and project management and delivery is essential to success in this position.
Under direct supervision of the Transportation Manager, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
Under general supervision:
• Conduct studies and analyses of engineering projects or problems, and prepares technical reports on matters of public interest, including City infrastructure and transportation planning activities, public works maintenance programs, public works projects and other municipal or public facilities (e.g., storm drains and sanitary sewer systems, urban roadways, bridges, traffic and transportation system, and public buildings)
• Prepare and manage the preparation of preliminary, final design, and contract documents (plans, specifications, and cost estimates) for a wide variety of municipal public works projects such as those described above
• May assist with the department’s annual and five-year capital improvement budgets and the operating budget
• Update the City Standard Specifications, Standard Details, and Design Criteria
• Supervise the management and maintenance of engineering records and drawings
• Prepare and administer grant funding applications and reports
• Oversee inspection and testing of public works projects and Encroachment Permit projects
• May manage the City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) Program
• May manage operation of City traffic signals and transportation systems
• Provide construction management, construction contract administration, and consultant contract administration for public works projects
• May prepare or review for adequacy work necessary to accomplish assessment districts
• Check plans submitted by private engineers and other public agencies for compliance with City standards related to public facilities and infrastructure
• Prepare and administer request for proposals and consultant contracts for various projects including, but not limited to, public works projects, public buildings, environmental issues and studies
• Coordinate engineering activities with other City departments and other public agencies having interest in the public work
• Prepare and supervise preparation of plans, maps, plats, land descriptions, charts, diagrams, specifications, and reports
• Supervise and train other professional or paraprofessional engineering personnel
• Direct and coordinate land surveying activities
• Write, review and edit City Council agenda reports and engineering reports
• Prepare and check subdivision maps, easement documents, and other title documents
• Calculate and collect development fees
• Manage the City’s Encroachment Permits Program
• Review and write conditions of approval for proposed development
• Provide technical information to other City departments and to the general public
• Represent the Department in community, other public agency and professional meetings
• Act as a Principal Engineer or Traffic Engineer in his/her absence
• Perform other related duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
• A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering office and field work performing professional level engineering work, and
Possible Substitutions
• A Master's Degree in any branch of Civil Engineering from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of experience
LICENSES& CERTIFICATION
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Other licenses and certificates directly related to the Civil Engineering field (e.g. Geotechnical Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Structural Engineer, Land Surveyor, Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Developer (QSD), Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Practitioner (QSP))is desirable
• Current city employees appointed to Senior Civil Engineer prior to September 1, 2015 are waived of the required Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California
OTHER REQUIRMENTS
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment
• May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process. Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to test. Candidates must attain a passing score on the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview will be required prior to appointment.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview will be required prior to appointment.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.
Knowledge of:
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, construction, repair, maintenance, and operation of urban roadways, storm drain and sanitary sewer systems, bridges, traffic and transportation systems including, but not limited to land surveying, grading and drainage, hydraulics of open channel and pipe flow, highway engineering, traffic and transportation engineering, economic analysis, construction testing and inspection, strengths, properties and uses of material for public works projects, soil investigation, structural analysis, drafting, report writing, mapping, and project technical specification writing
• Federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies pertaining to public works projects and transportation infrastructure operation
• Approved construction and field safety standards, practices, and procedures related to public works projects
• Hydrology
• Transportation planning and traffic signal operation
• Project and construction management
• Consultant and construction contract administration
• Means, methods, materials and equipment used in construction of public works projects
• Project cost estimating and project plan preparation
• Principles of supervision and training
• Computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, scheduling tools, computer-aided design (CAD) with civil engineering modules and geographic information system (GIS))
• Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards
Ability to:
• Comprehend, carry out and issue oral and written technical instructions;
• Prepare, review, interpret and evaluate plans, specifications, cost estimates, proposals, land surveys and engineering reports for public works projects;
• Read, interpret and apply laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies governing public works projects and transportation infrastructure operation
• Maintain records, logs and databases
• Prepare comprehensive engineering and administrative staff reports
• Perform quantity take-off work from construction plans
• Compile and analyze data, prepare reports and make recommendations
• Make accurate mathematical calculations and engineering computations and drawings
• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing
• Prepare and make public presentations
• Write clear, concise reports, using correct composition, English grammar and spelling
• Supervise and train other professional or paraprofessional engineering personnel
• Analyze facts and to exercise independent judgment
• Grasp new ideas and concepts
• Understand and use administrative and engineering computer applications and software (e.g., project management software, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) with civil engineering modules, and GIS)
• Use drafting and survey instruments, and other engineering aids
• Operate personal computer, plotter, and other standard office equipment
• Interact, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the public, other agencies and coworkers
• Work in a team based environment to resolve problems, achieve common goals, and successfully deliver projects
• Deal tactfully and courteously with others
• Focus on the important matters, effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload and meet deadlines
• Make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions
• Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties
The Department:
SVP currently provides over 600 Megawatts of power to residential and business customers within Santa Clara, of which 40 percent of comes from carbon-free renewable resources. In addition to using green energy from large-scale wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric projects outside of the area, SVP employs innovative ways to locally produce electricity by operating Thermal Generation facilities utilizing Simple Cycle, Combined Cycle, and Cogeneration technologies. It is the mission of Silicon Valley Power to be a progressive, service-oriented utility, offering reliable, competitively priced services for the benefit of Santa Clara and its customers. Being competitive in the marketplace with a continuous focus on customer service, SVP can provide economic value to the City of Santa Clara and its customers while maintaining low residential rates and offering competitive rates for all customers.
The Positions:
Silicon Valley Power is recruiting to fill various Electric Program Manager positions in the following specialties: Capital Project, Contracts, Distributed Energy Resources and Storage, Environmental, Safety, and System Operations.
Capital Project Management
The focus and priority of this position will be to perform complex professional project management work to support the successful completion of over $300 million in near-term capital improvement program projects to support electric utility load growth. The position is assigned to the customer development and project management unit which manages, plans, and oversees the development and implementation of the capital improvement program. This position will report to the Principal Electric Utility Engineer overseeing the System Expansion Program and will work collaboratively on the management of these critical projects. The individual will perform and manage the work related to planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of utility projects, including receiving stations, substations, electric transmission and distribution facilities, and other electrical infrastructure. The incumbent is expected to manage consultants and directly administer public works contracts. Experience in electric utility engineering, utility asset management, GIS and work order management system is desirable.
Contracts Portfolio
The focus and priority of this position will be to perform complex professional work to support the development and management of SVP’s contracts portfolio. SVP’s operation requires hundreds of unique contracts including specialized services agreements, leases, agreements with customers for substation construction, funding and deposits, public works contracts, license agreements, power purchase and resource adequacy agreements, as well as other unique agreements. The position is assigned to the Business Services Division. The incumbent will both lead staff supporting contracts functions and have direct involvement in negotiating and reviewing contracts. Experience in utility contracts is desirable.
Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy and Power Purchase Contracts
This position develops and implements cutting edge programs entailing distributed and renewable generation, energy storage, demand response, and microgrids. Incumbents perform professional level, individual work in project development. Duties may include supervising and participating in the conduct of studies and surveys, data interpretation, forecasting, commodity purchasing, contract negotiation, pricing/rate making, engineering studies, development of policies and procedures, evaluating regulatory and legislative initiatives, preparing, reviewing, and managing budgets and operations. Commodity purchasing and contract negotiation may include evaluation and development of strategies for electricity generation, both distributed and utility scale. Incumbents may supervise management and non-management staff and act as project team leaders and manage programs and projects. Project management responsibilities include preparing RFPs, evaluating proposals, and managing contractors and consultants.
Environmental
This position will ensure the City’s compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory agency requirements and guidelines pertaining to Air Quality, Water, Wastewater, Storm water, and Industrial waste. This position will work with staff across multiple Divisions to develop, implement, and perform procedures and guidelines designed to ensure compliance and develop staff. They will compose, compile, track, and analyze information related to regulatory, program, and compliance oversight. This position will act as SVP’s Subject Matter Expert and provide technical and functional advisement to Management and Staff concerning Environmental Compliance. This position requires in-depth knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws/regulations. This position also requires the ability to forecast and identify compliance issues and to develop mitigation strategies to correct issues. The position will also assist in the development of budgets, service contracts and training programs.
Safety
This position establishes, implements, and enforces an effective department wide safety and compliance program that prevents injury and illness. They will work to ensure that employees, both management and non-management, comply with the rules and regulations of Federal, State and Local Regulatory Agencies, and that company safety and compliance policies and procedures are consistently followed.
The position will also facilitate the development and completion of the department’s compliance and controls register, controls testing and auditing, standards development and review, horizon scanning for new and changing regulatory requirements, and serving as an OSHA subject matter for the department. The position will also assist in the development of budgets, service contracts and training programs.
System Operations
This position will administer programs for work management, maintenance monitoring and asset management focused in all areas of Utility Operations (Metering, Substations, Transmission and Distribution). This position will also be responsible for the performance, review, and implementation of improvements to these programs. The position will develop, maintain, and improve SVP’s Outage Management System. This position will work to ensure compliance with all applicable NERC standards and seek constant improvement in SVP Work and Safety standards affecting System Operations. The position will also assist in the development of budgets, service contracts and training programs.
As a member of the City's Unclassified Service, this is an "at-will" position and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager. An incumbent in this classification: demonstrates strong ethical, professional, and service-oriented leadership and interpersonal skills; sets a good example; and correctly applies the tenets of the City's Code of Ethics and values.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.
This description may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.
Under general direction, the incumbent will:
• Plan, develop, implement, evaluate, and manage an assigned program or core department service area; Supervise subordinate supervisory, professional, technical, and/or clerical staff; participate in the selection, hiring, training, and coaching of staff; conduct performance evaluations; and implement disciplinary actions as required;
• Research and analyze program operations to ensure effective utilization of resources and increase productivity of work, provide regular reporting measures, conduct presentations, and make recommendations to management;
• Plan and implement work plans and projects for assigned area;
• Oversee daily operations of assigned program area and safety ensuring that all applicable regulatory requirements are followed;
• Develop and monitor resource models and/or programs in alignment with State, Federal and local regulations and policies;
• Deliver and manage communications to internal and external customers;
• Administer program budget, including budget preparation, forecasting, and monitoring expenses and revenue;
• Plan, implement, and monitor program or service area goals and objectives in alignment with Department goals to ensure effective programming and operations;
• Monitor and report on assigned area activities, including managing resources, tracking short and long-term work activities and provide recommendations to management staff to improve efficiency in assigned area;
• Serve as the subject matter expert in assigned specialty and provides consultation to subordinates, vendors, and management on assigned area of expertise;
• Set the standard for safety and adhere to all applicable safety and environmental standards and regulations, including City safety standards and policies;
• May act as a representative of the Department in assigned program or service area;
• Implement programs which may include such functions as scheduling, coordinating, and assigning staff to projects;
• Oversee request for proposal processes, participate in the preparation of vendor contracts, negotiate contracts, and act as lead contract administrator for planned program objectives;
• Prepare a variety of narrative and periodic reports to keep management informed of program/project status;
• Implement program audit systems to ensure appropriate use of public funds;
• Develop qualitative and quantitative measures to evaluate program/project financial status, customer satisfaction, contractor performance, and public relations;
• Maintain current knowledge of external program trends and legislation to ensure necessary compliance;
• May represent the Department and participate in regional and state efforts to meet compliance, legislative and societal goals;
• Develop, implement and evaluate marketing and educational materials to present to internal and external customers;
• Use City computer applications (including but not limited to Microsoft Suite) and databases to track program status and funds and use;
• Prepare reports, memos, and supporting documentation;
• May act as Division Manager on a temporary basis, as assigned; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Economics, Public or Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Finance or a closely-related field; AND
• Three (3) years' experience leading, supervising, managing, and coordinating work including but not limited to, customer related programs, project management, building facilities management, or writing, developing or administering safety or environmental compliance standards; OR
• Generation/Substation/Transmission and Distribution/System Operations Specialties: Three (3) years of experience in a lead, supervisory, or senior role performing work, including but not limited to a Supervisor, Engineer, Manager, Lead Technician, or Foreperson,
ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTION
• For Generation/Substation/Transmission and Distribution/System Operations Specialties: additional years of experience in a role equivalent to, but not limited to a Control Room Operator, Electric Utility Technician, Engineer, Lineworker, or working in a lead, supervisory, or senior role performing work, including but not limited to a Supervisor, Manager, Lead Technician, or Foreperson may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis up to four (4) years.
• For Generation/Substation/Transmission and Distribution/System Operations Specialties: Two (2) years of experience working in a role equivalent to, but not limited to a Control Room Operator, Electric Utility Technician, Engineer, or Lineworker may be substituted for one (1) year of experience as a lead, supervisor, or senior role up to six (6) years.
• Two (2) years of experience in customer related programs, project management, building facilities management, or writing, developing or administering safety or environmental compliance standards may be substituted one (1) year of experience as a lead, supervisor, manager, and coordinator experience up to six (6) years.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• An advanced degree in Engineering, Public or Business Administration, Environmental Sciences or related field is desirable.
• When assigned to Systems and Project Management, a: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) or an equivalent certification from accredited program is desirable.
• When assigned to Generation/Substation/Transmission and Distribution/System Operations Specialties, experience working in a power plant, substation, transmission & distribution, or Electric System Control Center environment is desirable.
• When assigned to Safety Compliance, an in depth knowledge of OSHA and CalOSHA standards is desirable.
• When assigned to Environmental Compliance, an in-depth knowledge of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC), Air Permits, and Water Permits is desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
• Incumbents may be subject to initial and periodic comprehensive background checks.
• May be required to work unusual hours and weekends in performance of their duties and be available on an "on call" basis.
Other Requirements:
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process. Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to interview.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
Knowledge of:
• Local, State and Federal Laws related to environmental, safety, health, electrical system construction, maintenance, inspection, and NERC regulations pertaining Electric Utilities;
• Best practice utility maintenance and project planning strategies and methods;
• Cost-benefit and return on investment analysis for proposed programs
• Basic understanding of Electric Utility economics, methodologies and principles;
• Best practice utility compliance, maintenance and operations methods;
• Electric department contract methodologies;
• Project management tools and methodologies, including workload planning and budgeting;
• Project and workload planning;
• Preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts and fiscal planning;
• Negotiation techniques and strategies;
• Principles and practices of customer service;
• Research methods and statistical analysis;
• Principles and practices of management, employee supervision, training, and performance evaluation;
• Pertinent State, Federal, and Local laws and regulations for assigned specialty area;
• Problem solving and conflict resolution practices and techniques; and
• Office safety practices, procedures and standards.
Ability to:
• Develop, implement, and monitor programs and projects;
• Effectively problem solve with various teams and management to improve and streamline processes;
• Supervise staff in compliance with applicable Memorandum of Understandings
• Analyze situations, identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Identify, research and gather relevant information from a variety of sources;
• Collect and analyze data and prepare a variety of statistical and narrative reports;
• Operate standard office equipment and learn City databases and software programs;
• Develop and maintain electronic databases;
• Effectively develop, negotiate, and monitor contracts;
• Interpret and apply laws and regulations, policies and procedures;
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Prepare and present clear, concise and complex written and oral reports and presentations;
• Develop and conduct effective public relations programs on assigned specialty;
• Speak effectively before large groups of people;
• Establish and maintain tactful, courteous and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the general public;
• Work independently with minimal supervision;
• Work effectively as a member of the department to achieve common goals and be able to deliver excellent customer service to both internal and external City clients;
• Work effectively in time-sensitive situations and meet deadlines;
• Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously;
• Develop creative and practical solutions to complex and difficult problems; and
• Bend, stoop, reach, carry, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties.
Additional Information:
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”) To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed. A first review of applications will be on September 18, 2023.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.
