Search Jobs

This position performs a wide variety of responsible bookkeeping and clerical duties under general supervision and within a framework of established procedures. Perform a large amount of the daily bookkeeping and administrative work associated with accounts payable, accounts receivable, the general ledger, cash & investments, internal credit card claim processing, and support services administration.  Assist in the preparation of participant and third-party power billings, and fuel-steam and other allocations. Monitor the collection of accounts receivable. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position requires the incumbent reports for work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives to meetings and appointments on time; Performs special assignments for the Treasurer-Controller or others as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Accounting Clerk I:
Perform full cycle accounts payable processing to include: creation and maintenance of vendor files; verification of invoices, including quantities, dollar amounts, and payment and discount terms; matching and cross-referencing invoices to receiving documents, requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, and shipping documents, reconciling with vendor statements, and ensuring timely payment to vendors.

Track, monitor, and process electronic purchase order files, including invoices,  payments, open purchase orders, work orders, partial payments, and other information as required to expedite and document accounts payable transactions. Resolve exceptions through contact and coordination with appropriate vendor and Agency purchasing officials.

Assist in t in the maintenance of subsidiary accounts payable ledgers, fixed asset records, accounts receivable, work order and related systems and reconcile to the general ledger.  

Assist with reconciling cash accounts and documents to Agency records. Responsible for the distribution of recurring reports

Review and process employee advances, expense reports, and credit card transactions in accordance with Agency policy and procedures.

Provide administrative support for NCPA’s Support and Shared Services Programs, including review and verification of insurance terms, confirming insurance is up-to-date, and entering into appropriate tracking tool.  

Process, review and route invoices to Member(s) for approval for payment; submission of invoices to accounting for payment. Upload various documents into electronic database program SharePoint.

Communicate effectively with internal and external partners and respond to inquiries in a timely manner and provide internal and external support services-related assistance to various cross functional partners. 

Compose, format, edit, and type routine correspondence, prepare Commission Staff reports and monthly Support Services report as assigned. Prepare annual report for the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and other required reports as assigned. 

May include coordination with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for an efficient process for Shared Services to NCPA Members who use SCPPA contracts. Inspect, read, edit, and verify documents and assess data

Accounting Clerk II:
In addition to the duties for the level I class, this level:

Maintaining the Agency's general ledgers and subsidiary ledgers and in preparation of recurring journal entries, audit schedules, account analyses, and special data requests. Assist and instruct new clerical employees as required.  

Maintain subsidiary accounts payable ledgers, fixed asset records, accounts receivable, work order and related systems and reconcile to the general ledger. Maintain the Agency's general ledgers and subsidiary ledgers and in preparation of recurring journal entries, audit schedules, account analyses, and special data requests. Assist and instruct new clerical employees as required.

Provide support to Treasurer. Track cash activity, update wire, and cash schedules daily, including ACH and wire transfer origination, check run initiation, vendor book transfers, upload of positive pay files, and weekly cash requirements forecasting. In addition, input investments, interest, bank sweep activity into investment management software and compile monthly Treasurer’s Report. Track, balance, and report transactions between various funds with high level of accuracy and a high level of attention to detail.  

Maintain and reconcile cash accounts and documents to Agency records. Coordinate and resolve related matters with outside entities, managers, supervisors, and or employees as applicable. Also responsible for the distribution of recurring reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience      

Accounting Clerk I:
This level requires a minimum of a high school diploma supplemented with college-level training in business or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience performing similar job responsibilities. An associate of art degree from an accredited college with major coursework in accounting or a related field is preferred.  

Accounting Clerk II:        
This level requires a minimum of a high school diploma supplemented with college-level training in business or a related field and a minimum of four years of experience performing similar job responsibilities with minimal supervision. An associate of art degree from an accredited college with major coursework in accounting or a related field is preferred.  

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES 
Knowledge:
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and principles, including accounts payable and receivable, journal entries and ledgers, cash management practices, account reconciliation, and purchasing; Knowledge of business English and correspondence, Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and possess strong organizational and time-management skills, and the knowledge of manual and computerized accounting systems and practices. 

Abilities:
Ability to be detail-oriented and work with a high level of accuracy; Listen to, read, and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos and ask for clarification when necessary; Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and other employees of the organization in writing and in person and to speak clearly and persuasively; Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; Compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs and apply mathematical concepts to accounting transactions; and the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid California Driver's License and insurance. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds. 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences and is free from discrimination.
 

This position receives a 2.5% pay differential in recognition of confidential status. 

THE POSITION

This position is focused on coordinating and monitoring information technology operational systems for the City including analyzing, diagnosing, maintaining, and troubleshooting assigned system areas such as applications, operating systems, and database systems. This position has a wide breadth of responsibility and is the backbone for ensuring the City’s technology systems always stay up and running. An example of duties are:

• Performs configuration, modification, testing and implementation of vendor software; develops, coordinates and implements plans to test business and functional processes during system development and quality assurance testing.
• Assists with the installation of new and existing software; ensures training of staff in the use of new and existing software.
• Conducts systems analysis; develops business and technical requirements; designs functional and technical specifications; writes source code; tests applications.
• Assists with the planning and coordination of migrations from legacy systems and the implementation of ongoing maintenance of new computer systems.
• Performs technical and functional troubleshooting and on-call support; installs and tests upgrades and system patches; tracks problems and requests for system enhancements and upgrades and resolve problems as they occur.
• Installs, configures, and maintains SQL server, including capacity planning, installation and configuration of SQL management tool and client uses.
• Provides support for specific department applications; tests programs and applications from user’s perspective.
• Coordinates, develops, and performs data export and import routines between applications.
• Acts as a technical resource for staff; identifies and suggests alternatives and recommends process changes through information systems; assists in identifying potential and required changes to business processes and/or procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in MIS, business, management, or a closely related field;

AND

Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in computer technology.

Technical certifications are highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

A valid California Class C driver license or higher with a satisfactory driving record is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The Department 

Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is a not-for-profit electric municipal utility of Santa Clara, CA, serving residents and businesses for over 120 years. SVP provides power to nearly 55,000 customers, at rates 25 to 48 percent below neighboring communities. SVP is the only full service, vertically integrated publicly owned utility in Silicon Valley owning generation, transmission and distribution assets. As a Public Electric Utility, Santa Clara’s Silicon Valley Power is not driven by profits, as reflected in its significant lower utility rates when compared to other private sector utilities. Silicon Valley Power is community and policy driven, which is reflected in the many green policies that it promotes, reduced rates and its strategic plan. Silicon Valley Power is one of few public electric utilities in California with an upward trajectory of growth. In 2017, Silicon Valley Power also achieved 36% renewable and 72% HGH free energy and, since January 2018, Silicon Valley Power has been delivering GHG-free energy to all residential customers. All this was accomplished while maintaining the lowest electricity rates in Santa Clara County.

 

The Position 

Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is seeking a dynamic, engaging, and highly qualified professional for one (1) management position of Principal Electric Utility Engineer in our Utility Operations Division. 

 

The position in Utility Operations will be responsible for managing and performing work related to Protection Engineering, Communications Engineering, and Operations Support Engineering (Fault and Outage analysis) along with supporting operations, maintenance and regulatory compliance of electric utility transmission, distribution and generation facilities.  This position manages the team responsible for Communications Engineering, Protection Engineering and Operations Support Engineering. 

 

A successful candidate will have at least five years of experience related to the electric utility engineering field and be able to demonstrate the ability to work well with management, industry professionals, administrative support, and our customers.   This is an exciting opportunity to lead positive change for our residents of the City of Santa Clara

 

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.

 

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 participate.

 

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. 

 

Typical Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Under general direction:

• Plan, develop, coordinate, perform, and direct activities of assigned work area relating to planning, engineering, design construction, operations, maintenance and regulatory compliance of electric utility transmission, distribution and generation facilities
• Provide recommendations on a broad spectrum of related issues
• Manage assigned staff, provide technical instructions and assistance as necessary
• Develop, perform and manage the implementation of utility plans based upon applicable State and Federal laws
• May be responsible for directing the activities of consultants and contractors
• Act as a mentor to staff and provide them with leadership, training, direction and support
• Attend meetings and work with engineers, contractors, specialists and City staff to ensure that City guidelines are met in the determination of requirements of projects
• Represent the City at industry meetings, management groups, professional organizations, and other meetings
• Make periodic and special reports, which describe the current activities and prepare reports, including findings and recommendations, as required
• Direct or conduct studies and analysis related to the reliability of the electric system to ensure compliance with appropriate Federal Energy Regulatory Commission/North American Electric Reliability Corporation (FERC/NERC) and industry reliability standards
• Prepare or direct the preparation of purchase specifications required to implement Electric Utility Department purchases in connection with system expansion and improvements
• Conduct evaluation of new equipment, methods and materials pertinent to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the electric system, and make recommendations to appropriate Managers
• Confer with and assist in the development of long-range plans, goals and objectives, and budgets
• Manage, schedule and evaluate the work assigned staff, and develop processes designed to support a continuous learning environment
• Analyze assigned work area to determine the most efficient and effective assignment of staff
• Make specialized technical studies and/or investigations
• Prepare complete and comprehensive oral and written reports and make recommendations on engineering and related issues
• Prepare the budget, recommend allocation funds within guidelines; monitor expenditures to ensure adherence to the approved budget, manage contractual services
• Administer and assist in the staffing, administrative and financial matters of the department
• May act as the Assistant Director of Electric Utility in his/her absence
• Perform other related duties as assigned
•  

 

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in electrical, mechanical, civil or other related field of engineering
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in electric utility engineering work
• Candidates from a non-accredited college or university must demonstrate educational equivalency by registration as a professional electrical, mechanical or civil engineer in the State of California

Possible Substitutions:
 

• A Master's Degree in electrical, mechanical or civil engineering, or business or public administration from an accredited college may be substituted for one year of experience

REGISTRATION:
 

• Possession of a certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California is required

LICENSE(S):
 

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for duration of employment

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
 

• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment
• May be required to work unusual hours in emergency situations
• Required to pass initial and periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State, and /or industry security 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.
 

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. The City will not sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles of electrical utility planning and engineering involved in the development, construction, production, operational methods in interconnected utility areas, principles of program evaluation, forecasting and planning, probability and energy analysis and formulation; customer service; telecommunications and controls; and information technology
• Principles of engineering economics, statistical analysis and forecasting
• Principles of management, supervision, personnel administration, training and performance evaluation
• Principles of organization and management, effective leadership and municipal budgeting and administration
• Regulatory laws, standards and requirements including FERC/NERC Reliability Standards
• Research methods and statistical analysis
• Problem solving and conflict resolution practices and techniques
• Complex spreadsheets and database applications
• Preparation and administration of contracts and fiscal planning
• Project and workload planning
• Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards
•  

Ability to:

• Analyze complex data; resolve applicable problems; evaluate alternatives and recommend an appropriate course of action
• Effectively negotiate contracts and customer business relations
• Manage contractor activities
• Manage project development and operations management
• Identify, research and gather relevant information from a variety of sources
• Exercise sound and independent judgment, conduct independent analyses and make recommendations on difficult and sensitive issues
• Anticipate potential problems, develop contingency plans when needed and solve concurrent problems
• Provide leadership and management through coaching, empowering and facilitating employees working in a team environment
• Create a culture that is conducive to change and one that is able to select, recruit, retain, develop and motivate a skilled and talented workforce where everyone knows their mission, role and job expectations
• Create a culture that is conducive to change and one that is able to select, recruit, retain, develop and motivate a skilled and talented workforce where everyone knows their mission, role and job expectations
• Establish clear goals and objectives in order to create an organization that delivers excellent customer service through ethical leadership standards, and establishes an atmosphere of respect for employees consistent with the City's Code of Ethics and Values
• Build constructive relationships by promoting collaborative partnerships with department peers, bargaining units, employees, citizens, and others contacted in the course of work
• Represent and speak for the department and its work, e.g., presenting, explaining, promoting, defining, and negotiating to those within and outside the department by making clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals and groups, by listening effectively and clarifying information and by facilitating an open exchange of ideas
• Prepare and present highly technical and complex written and oral reports using multi-media to large groups and City staff
• Work effectively as a member of the department's management team to achieve common goals and be able to deliver excellent customer service to both internal and external City clients
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate organization activities and effectively manage the assigned work
• Work effectively and coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously in time-sensitive situations and meet deadlines
• Communicate logically and clearly, both orally and in writing
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Understand and carry out highly complex technical tasks
• Use computer applications to prepare memos and procedural documentation
• Create, manage and maintain complex filing and record systems
• Walk or stand for extended periods of time and bend, stoop, crawl, climb, lift or any other physical requirement as necessitated by the position 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 December 8, 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. 

Located in Middletown, CA!

This position performs a variety of engineering tasks relating to plant reliability and performance efficiency, troubleshoots plant and equipment problems, leads plant based NERC/CIP reporting requirements, manages implementation of system/equipment repairs and upgrades, acts as project manager for a variety of plant efficiency upgrade and retrofit projects, acts as construction manager for a variety of projects including public works projects, assists in personnel training and scheduling of operations and maintenance functions. This position may also undertake special projects as assigned by and through the Plant Manager. The level of supervision will be dependent upon the incumbent’s classification level (Engineer II, III, IV, or V), but all levels will perform a variety of assigned complex technical and professional work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position requires the incumbent reports for work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives to meetings and appointments on time; Performs special assignments for the Plant Manager or others as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Level II:
This is the entry-level class within the Engineer series for an employee assigned to a Power Plant. Under supervision, employees perform a wide variety of fields and office engineering assignments within the work unit. Engineers as this level are expected to manage smaller projects with direct oversight.

Level III:
Employees at this level receive only general instruction or assistance as new, unusual, or unique situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Engineers at this level manage smaller projects with minimal direction. 

Level IV: 
This is the journey-level class within the engineer series. Working with minimal direction, employees at this level assist or lead capital projects, including project management, giving project assignments, reviewing work, providing guidance, and giving instruction to project personnel, including professional engineering staff, other staff, and contractors.   

Level V: 
This is the senior-level class within the engineering series. Working with minimal direction and often taking department goals and translating them into work assignments for individuals and other departments. Employees at this level manage the most complex projects. 

Responsibilities:

Level II:
Participates in the review and technical/economic analysis of new projects, and with the development of specifications, and negotiation of agreements with counterparties. Prepares periodic reports on progress and issues relating to the above.

Manages the covered piping system program and boiler code compliance. Perform inspections. Determine corrective actions. Oversee welding procedures and testing for code welds.

Manages the NERC Compliance Program for the project site.

Provides input to the Plant budget and Business Plan. 

Participates in the facility safety program.

Manages the plant drawing files, including updating files with as-built changes.

Prepares reports and makes oral presentations at public meetings.

Stay informed on industry events, technological advancements, and regulatory issues.

Performs other related duties as required.

Level III:
In addition to Level II class, this item:
 
Interfaces with plant staff to optimize plant output.

Provide specific support as needed to the Operations and Maintenance Supervisors, FOA and Materials Warehouse Coordinator.

Investigates and determines methods to improve performance and efficiency of power plant equipment and systems including turbine generators, condensers, pumps, cooling towers and heat exchangers, etc. and conducts engineering and economic analyses for consideration by the supervisor.

Stays abreast of electricity market conditions and communicates findings regularly to Plant Staff.

Develops technical specifications and assists with the development of equipment supply and construction contracts.

Provides on-site technical support for all DCS, Business Network, Historian and Communications Equipment.

Acts as a point of contact with the NCPA Generation Services Engineering Department and provides engineering assistance as requested.

Level IV:
In addition to Level III class, this item:

Develop commissioning and testing procedures as well as operations and maintenance procedures.

Participates in troubleshooting Plant equipment operating problems, performs “root cause” analyses and assists in the implementation of measures to prevent future problems.

Leads in the review and technical/economic analysis of new projects, and with development of specifications, negotiation of agreements with counter parties. Prepares periodic reports on progress and issues relating to the above.

During the development and engineering phase of projects this position will review, comment, modify and approve the plant designs as proposed by the Engineer of Record. Recommends purchase of equipment, and trains users to use new or modified equipment.

Acts as project manager on assigned projects which includes planning, interdepartmental coordination, budgeting, implementation, progress reporting, quality control, payment approval, etc.

Level V:
In addition to Level IV class, this item:

Maintains and communicates within the Generation Services Department up-to-date information on relevant trends and modern technologies in the field of Reliability and Plant Engineering. Analyzes the need for maintenance activities such as condition based, predictive, preventative, and scheduled. Participates in planning and scheduling maintenance activities.

During construction of projects this position provides management, coordination and quality assurance and control of various contractors. Coordinates and resolves problems with the Chief Building Official.

Regularly performs engineering systems calculations and analysis applicable to power plants, review and approval of engineering drawings and designs, coordinating with various contractors and the Chief Building Official to resolve problems during modifications and improvements. Provides support during the start-up and commissioning of the power plants or any related subsystems. Uses computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.

Steps into the Plant Manager or Operations and Maintenance Supervisor role from time to time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  
Level II:
Education and/or Experience      
This level requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) at an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of two (2) years of related experience in power plant/production engineering. A California Engineer-in-Training Certificate is desired.

Level III:
Education and/or Experience      
This level requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) from an accredited four-year college or university is required; and a minimum of three (3) years in power plant/production engineering. At a minimum, have a California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable.

Level IV: 
Education and/or Experience      
This level requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of five (5) years of related experience in power plant/production engineering. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable.

Level V:
Education and/or Experience      
This level requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of seven (7) years of related experience, preferably within a combined-cycle/steam-generating plant. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge:
Knowledge of power plant operations and plant design parameters; methods, materials and techniques used in the construction of geothermal power generating plant. General power plant safety principles and practices; Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations applicable to electric utility generator operators and generator owners; Knowledge of utility industry, generation practices, and new developments; Understanding of electric generation plant control systems; Good technical knowledge of electrical terminology and applications;  use and application of computer aided design software; Principles and practices of applicable ASME codes and standards; Principles of budget preparation and administration; Proficiency with MS Word and Excel;  Experience with MS PowerPoint, MS Project, MS SharePoint, OSIsoft PI, CMMS, AutoCAD, and relational databases (e.g. MS Access) is desirable; Demonstrated application of business and systems analysis techniques, SQL, client- server and web base technology, and report writing tools is also desirable; Requirements of Public Works Contracts including, Public Works bid process, roles and responsibilities of NCPA project manager versus contractor, bonding Public notices and registration requirements; project closure; NCPA leadership standards and expected leadership behaviors and considerable skill in verbal and written communications.

Abilities:
Observe and enforce NCPA safety procedures and to establish and maintain project priorities and to reason logically and creatively. Must develop and evaluate alternatives; analyze data and perform research work; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate and negotiate effectively; prepare reports, correspondence, safety oversight plans, and exhibits; translate engineering calculations and analyses into concepts usable by decision-makers; Testify on results of completed studies; Consult with and advise administrators, decision-makers, and other interested parties on a broad range of subject-matter areas; serve as a lead person and gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work; Perform general plant performance calculations and engineering duties with minimum supervision; initiate, develop a variety of projects from concept to completion;  Develop technical specifications, drawings, and work scopes; Conduct bid walks and Safety orientations; Control project costs and report progress; Conduct post project reviews and consistently manage NCPA staff or contractors in pursuit of facility goals.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid California Driver's License and insurance, as travel by car to NCPA facilities is required.
Additional coursework or certifications in information technology would be helpful.

Engineer II- III has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Engineer IV may lead projects and function as interim supervisor as needed. 

Engineer V – Leads large-scale projects, may supervise other employees, and may function as interim plant manager as needed. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is required to walk, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
 

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.

• Distinguishing Characteristics/Experience:
  1. Direct knowledge in managing, planning, and overseeing the development and implementation of Capital Improvement Program(s) (CIP).
  2. Ability to provide extensive, in-depth, and specialized administrative, budgetary, financial, and compliance research, analysis, and support.
  3. Experience in management, engineering, financial, high-level administrative planning and analysis, and/or project management experience.

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.

• Distinguishing Characteristics/Experience:
  • Direct knowledge and experience in contracts review, negotiating, and management for a variety of contract types.
  • Ability to providing extensive, in-depth, and specialized administrative, budgetary, financial, and compliance research, analysis, and support
  • Experience in managing and assigning work to administrative and clerical staff.

 

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:  

• 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.

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. 

Section Director - Technology Services Section (TSS)
Salary:  $216,415.89 - $269,086.06 Annually
Remote Employment:  Flexible/Hybrid

THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL A QUALIFIED POOL OF APPLICANTS IS ESTABLISHED

FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL OCCUR ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2023
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY
A resume and cover letter are not required with your application, but highly encouraged 

Be ready to rethink your assumptions about the public sector.  Dedicated and motivated colleagues? Beautiful, high amenity building for on-site work and collaboration?  Flexible schedules and hybrid work options?  Yes, yes, and yes!

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.  MTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the state designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.  MTC provides services to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).  For more information about MTC, visit www.mtc.ca.gov.       

MTC’s Technology Services Section (TSS) is a mature IT organization serving approximately 400 customers. The diverse and inclusive section employs a team of dedicated professionals that exhibit outstanding emotional intelligence and outstanding customer service traits. The team provides support to building technology in the 500,000 square foot Bay Area Metro Center. TSS also operates a shared services organization that serves two additional government agencies for a total of approximately 1,000 customers. The agency utilizes modern technologies while operating under the goal of continuous improvement.

MTC is seeking an agile and adaptive executive technology leader to take its IT program to the next level. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with ambiguity and able to execute with limited information and evolving prototypes. In addition, the candidate will be capable of expertly maintaining a culture rooted in diversity and inclusivity; and possess the ability to apply an equity lens both internally to the IT operation as well as externally to the services provided. 
 
The Director of the Technology Services Section will be a key member of the business operations team, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.  This individual will be responsible for formulating and executing the agency's overall technology vision, ensuring the alignment of IT initiatives with MTC’s objectives. This individual's leadership will be instrumental in identifying and providing outstanding customer support, implementing cutting-edge technologies, fostering a robust IT infrastructure, and empowering teams to deliver exceptional results.

All employees at MTC are classified as Disaster Service Workers.   

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:    

Customer Service and Technical Knowledge

• Expert understanding of customer service, exemplary service delivery, and customer satisfaction. 
• In-depth understanding of information technology (IT) infrastructure, systems, and applications. 
• Proficiency in IT domains, such as networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, database management, and software development. 
• Knowledge of emerging and innovative technologies and their potential impact on the organization. 

Leadership and Management Skills

• Ability to lead and manage IT teams effectively, providing direction, guidance, and support. 
• Strong strategic planning and decision-making skills to align IT initiatives with business objectives. 
• Expert grasp of emotional intelligence, feedback, and organizational development concepts, skills and execution methods. 

Business Acumen

• Ability to understand MTC and its specific challenges and opportunities. 
• Ability to identify and leverage technology to improve business processes and improve efficiency and effectiveness. 
• kills in analyzing business requirements and translating them into IT solutions that meet organizational needs. 

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. 
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building abilities to work collaboratively with various departments and external vendors. 

Change Management and Innovation

• Experience in leading organizational change efforts and driving technology-driven innovation. 
• Ability to adapt to rapidly evolving technology landscapes and anticipate future IT needs. 

Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Knowledge of risk-based cybersecurity best practices and a proactive approach to protecting the organization's data and systems from threats. 
• Understanding of IT risk management principles and compliance requirements.  

Vendor and Contract Management

• Experience in evaluating and selecting technology vendors and managing vendor relationships. 
• Expertise in large-scale software implementation and execution including, but not limited to, ERP, CRM, and board-level systems. 
• Skills in negotiating contracts and service level agreements to ensure optimal value and performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:  Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate discipline. Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application.  Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Experience: Minimum of six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience effectively leading and managing a division or department doing related work. Experience should include a minimum of four (4) years senior management experience in agency administration, operations, management or similar position. Managing administrative support services; budget development, analysis and management; business or public administration; presenting to boards, commissions and/or committees, responding to public inquiries and requests, reporting to executive management.

Preferred Experience:  At least 5-7 years in IT Management

License/Certificate:  Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific assignments and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Technology Strategy and Leadership: Develop and communicate a clear technology strategy that supports MTC’s long-term vision, ensuring IT initiatives are closely aligned with agency goals.
 
Customer Focus: Drive exceptional customer service with a strong focus on delivering outstanding support and assistance to the agency and partners in the Bay Area Metro Center, ensuring prompt issue resolution, effective communication, and a customer-centric approach to exceed expectations and delight customers.
 
Digital Transformation: Drive digital transformation efforts across the organization by identifying opportunities for technological innovation, process optimization, and automation.
 
IT Infrastructure and Operations: Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of a reliable, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure that supports business operations efficiently.
 
Information Security and Risk Management: Develop and implement robust security measures to protect the company's data, intellectual property, and systems. Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
 
Team Management and Development: Lead and mentor the IT team, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, learning, and innovation. Encourage professional growth and development for team members.
 
Vendor Management: Collaborate with external vendors and technology partners to assess, select, and manage third-party solutions that align with the company's needs and standards.
 
Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Develop and manage the TSS budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources and investments in line with business priorities.
 
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Develop and maintain robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure uninterrupted IT operations during unexpected events.
 
Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including section directors and executives, to understand their technology needs and ensure IT solutions effectively address them.

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 Position: 

This is a professional, management position in the unclassified service responsible for scheduling, purchasing, and managing Silicon Valley Power (SVP) electric and hydro energy requirements in the hour ahead and real-time markets by optimizing those resources and by dispatching the generation plants, scheduling water flows and making sales of surplus resources in order to serve our customers consistent with SVP"s risk parameters. This position requires working 12 hour day and night shifts along with holiday and weekend shifts. SVP operates a 24/7 real time desk which is the primary responsibility of this position.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.   

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESDIES 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.

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 description may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.
Under general direction:
• Develop and submit schedules based on contract requirements and prudent economics to cover City load and to ensure the timely flow of Silicon Valley Power, South West (SW) electric and hydro resources;
• Coordinate energy, capacity, transmission, and ancillary service transactions with the appropriate broker, marketer, utility, generator, scheduling coordinator, and/or control area working within counter-party credit limits;
• Create and/or assess all electronic tags pursuant to Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC)/ National Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) Policies, South West (SW) business practices, and Independent System Operator (ISO) requirements;
• Adjust schedules real-time during emergency transmission derates or curtailments;
• Manage resources to meet NERC/SVP reliability criteria during all operating conditions;
• Determine resource costs and availability considering existing market conditions, generating plant limitations, maintenance, outages, transmission ratings and curtailments, and existing contract provisions;
• Conduct economic analysis of current resource options and market opportunities;
• Continually evaluate market conditions (including ISO ex-post prices, imbalance energy prices, ancillary service costs and transmission and congestion price differences), generating plant limitations, maintenance, outages, transmission ratings and curtailments, and existing contract provisions;
• Negotiate purchases and sales of energy, capacity, ancillary services and the purchase of transmission to meet load and SW trading objectives;
• Conduct economic analysis of current resource options and market opportunities;
• Determine optimal short-term use of existing power purchase contracts based on market information;
• Develop an hourly trading strategy for energy, capacity, transmission, and/or ancillary services by dispatching resources in a correct way;
• Evaluate and optimize the resources in real-time, to generation dispatch, capacity needs, energy, transmission and ancillary services purchases and sales;
• Utilize various market applications, including but not limited to California Independent System Operator (CISO) applications to submit capacity, energy, transmission, and ancillary service bids in power scheduling and power trading;
• Implement South West (SW) Trading Guidelines and management directives;
• Ensure that NERC/SVP reliability criteria are met;
• Prepare real-time documentation and reports for after-the-fact analysis;
• Develop pricing strategies for energy limited resources;
• Negotiate with assigned SW stakeholders
• Manage resources to meet WECC/NERC reliability criteria during all operating conditions;
• Work with trading staff to develop pricing strategy for energy-limited resources;
• Perform contingency analysis to develop optimized strategy for the dispatch of generation resources, and to optimize purchases and sales of capacity, energy, transmission, and ancillary service;
• Manage hydro reservoir levels and in-flows to ensure economic dispatch of SW’s projects;
• Prepare and submit all reports required as a scheduling coordinator including inter-tie, California Central System Operator (CISO), and South West (SW);
• Adjust/optimize/balance schedules to account for system outages;
• Provide training of co-workers;
• Forecast weather conditions by using like seasons, days and temperatures;
• Forecast customer energy requirements considering historical demands and applicable load shapes;
• Develop and maintain harmonious operations with interconnected utilities, wholesale entities, electric and hydro trading partners and other stakeholders through the use of effective communications practices; and
• Perform other related work as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education and experience equivalent to:
•  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a closely related field; and
• Three (3) years experience in public or private sector power scheduling or trading and/or Independent System Operator (ISO) scheduling.

LICENSE
Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
• Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, to schedules that may include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required.
• Candidates hired into this position may have to pass an initial and periodic, comprehensive background checks, which include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State and/or industry security requirements.  Incumbents will have to meet any Federal (FERC and NERC) and State (CPUC) mandated certifications.
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

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:
• Wholesale and retail electric utility business, Hydro reservoir monitoring for optimum SW dispatch, dispatch of generation resources, production costs of energy by fuel type, system load characteristics and load curves;
• Market applications, including but not limited to ICE and CISO;
• Real-time evaluation and optimization procedures for generation dispatch, capacity needs, energy, transmission and ancillary services, purchases and sales;
• WECC/NERC policies and SW Business Practices;
• Trading procedures, systems to track and analyze capacity, energy, transmission, and ancillary service transactions, market strategies for wholesale purchases and sales of electricity and relevant trading directives;
• Schedule transactions, scheduling procedures, management directives, and how to solve scheduling conflicts;
• Scheduling and tagging procedures based on SW, CISO, WECC contract requirements and reporting requirements;
• Integrated power system operations and SW, NERC, FERC, and CISO policies, procedures, protocols and business practices;
• Research, planning and technical analysis for complex scheduling projects and preparation of reports including recommendations;
• Research methods and statistical analysis, complex spreadsheets and database applications and project and workload planning;
•  Work-related computer applications, including e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and the internet;
• Applicable laws, regulations and permits affecting the electric utility industry;
• Customer energy requirements and real-time weather forecasting, and
• Business practices, contract principles, financial statements, and economic analysis techniques.
Ability to:
• Apply the principles of power generation and transmission systems, including interconnected utility operations;
• Implement the integration of purchases and sales to economically reduce overall costs of energy and energy management systems;
• Interpret, explain and apply complex contracts, policies, protocols and business practices, implement strategies associated with short-term trading, and negotiate transactions;
• Interpret and explain complex contracts, policies, protocols, and business practices;
• Evaluate capacity, energy, and transmission transactions, implement market strategies to complete wholesale purchases of electricity, and perform economic analysis to determine benefit/cost of wholesale power market purchases and sales;
• Draw conclusions and project consequences of decisions and recommendations;
• Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with City employees, contractors and other governmental representatives;
• Work as team player and be willing to deliver excellent customer service to both internal and external City clients;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to consistently represent facts and situations accurately, transmit information concisely and in an effective manner, and present a balanced picture of situations;
• Prepare and present highly technical and complex written and oral reports;
• Work effectively in time-sensitive situations and meet deadlines; coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously;
• Review and analyze important detailed and highly complex technical Electric Utility records and reports;
• Train and supervise the work of others in a team environment; and
• Walk or stand for extended periods of time and bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, 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 must be submitted by the filing deadline of Friday, August 25, 2023 at 4:00 PM. 

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. 

About the Department

San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is San José’s local, not-for-profit electricity supplier operated by the City of San José’s Community Energy Department. Since 2019, our dedicated and motivated team has provided clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while also offering community programs, local control, and increased transparency and accessibility.

San José Clean Energy serves more than 350,000 customers and has a peak load of almost 1 GW. SJCE is responsible for purchasing over 4,500 GWh of electricity annually and has an annual operating budget of over $300 million. Serving our community with respect and integrity is at the core of what we do. Joining our team means that you will be making a big impact and in the forefront in the fight against climate change.

SJCE plays an important role in meeting San José’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in implementing Climate Smart San José, the City’s climate action plan.

SJCE centers equity in its drive to provide clean, renewable energy at competitive rates and provide local benefits. Since inception, SJCE has sprinted ahead to now provide 60% renewable and 95% carbon-free energy in our base product and has invested $1 billion to add nearly 550 MW of new solar, wind and battery storage to the grid. SJCE’s low carbon energy supply is foundational as we work to meet the electrification goals outlined in Climate Smart San José. For more information about San José Clean Energy, please visit: www.sanjosecleanenergy.org.

Position & Duties - External

The Department seeks to fill one full-time Energy Services Manager (Senior Power Resources Specialist) position to support the Account Management, Marketing, and Communications team. This position will report to the Deputy Director overseeing Account Management, Marketing, and Communications. This division is responsible for delivering customer- centric pricing, billing, marketing, outreach, and community programs for San José Clean Energy. The Energy Services Manager (Senior Power Resources Specialist) will be responsible for advancing commercial customer services and programs by conducting strategic customer outreach and account management on behalf of the agency. This position will act as a strategic partner for the largest San José Clean Energy commercial, industrial, and municipal customers.

As the senior member of the Accounts Services team, the Energy Services Manager (Senior Power Resources Specialist) will be responsible for leading SJCE commercial customer engagement efforts, using data and customer information to address customer needs, improve the customer experience, and improve systems. The Energy Services Manager (Senior Power Resources Specialist) will also support the development and execution of SJCE strategic energy pricing initiatives for all residential and commercial customers, partnering with leadership to design a dynamic long-term energy pricing strategy. The ideal candidates should be well-versed in PG&E rate structures, including residential and commercial rate schedules, and be comfortable engaging with large commercial customers regarding custom energy programs and services.

Duties include the following but are not limited to:

• Initiate and develop relationships with key commercial, industrial, and municipal accounts, including both existing customers and potential clients
• Engage with large commercial and industrial energy users regarding custom energy products and programs such as EV charging infrastructure and distributed energy programs such as demand response or load shaping
• Train Account Services team members to provide commercial customers with expertise on account issues, including billing, cost, service, and program inquiries
• Lead the development of tools and processes to analyze the potential impact of alternative rate structures (e.g., new time-of-use variants, low-income discounts, etc.)
• Manage the development of custom rate design and energy products for the retention and attraction of large commercial customers
• Implement data visualization tools and dashboards to help inform decision-making cross-departmentally
• Perform other related duties as required.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.

Per the City’s COVID19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022, to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that employees are required to be vaccinated with the entire initial series of a COVID-19 vaccine (two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Salary Information:

The total annual salary range for a Senior Power Resources Specialist is $127,567.44- $156,265.20. These ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Bargaining Unit: City Association of Management Personnel (CAMP) Competencies:

Competencies: The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures, policies, and federal and state rules and regulations. Experience in the electric industry, principles of rate development, and the ability to design specialty rates are highly desirable.
• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible & approachable, interacts on a regular basis; promoting a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
• Collaboration – Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
• Analytical Thinking – Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach
• Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
• Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
• Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Qualifications - External Education and Experience

• Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or related field to utility business.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience in energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations.
• Licenses or Certificates: Valid California Driver’s License may be required.
• Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application, cover letter and resume, and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.

1. Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environment Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or another related field to the utility industry?
2. Please specify your degree, field of study, and the college or university where you obtained your degree. You may also include any additional degrees or applicable certifications that you have achieved.
3. Do you have three (3) years of experience in energy resources project or program management, operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations? How have you obtained three (3) years of experience in energy resources project or program management, operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations?
4. Please attach a cover letter to summarize your qualifications and describe how your experience qualifies you as the Energy Rates Manager.

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.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Zoe McChesney at zoe.mcchesney@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information

- Link to Benefits page

- Link to Department website

To apply, please complete an application via the City of San José’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

This position is open until filled, please apply as soon as possible. Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.govand we will research the status of your application. Please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-1285, or Human.Resources@sanjoseca.gov if you have any questions.

About the Department

San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is San José’s local, not-for-profit electricity supplier operated by the City of San José’s Community Energy Department. Since 2019, our dedicated and motivated team has provided clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while also offering community programs, local control, and increased transparency and accessibility.

San José Clean Energy serves more than 350,000 customers and has a peak load of almost 1 GW. SJCE is responsible for purchasing over 4,500 GWh of electricity annually and has an annual operating budget of over $300 million. Serving our community with respect and integrity is at the core of what we do. Joining our team means that you will be making a big impact and in the forefront in the fight against climate change. SJCE plays an important role in meeting San José’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in implementing Climate Smart San José, the City’s climate action plan.

SJCE centers equity in its drive to provide clean, renewable energy at competitive rates and provide local benefits. Since inception, SJCE has sprinted ahead to now provide 60% renewable and 95% carbon-free energy in our base product and has invested $1 billion to add nearly 550 MW of new solar, wind and battery storage to the grid. SJCE’s low carbon energy supply is foundational as we work to meet the electrification goals outlined in Climate Smart San José. For more information about San José Clean Energy, please visit: www.sanjosecleanenergy.org.

Position & Duties - External

The department is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Power Resources Specialist I/II (Legislative Affairs Specialist) position to support the Legislative Affairs Division. The ideal candidate is a skilled and highly motivated individual, with creative problem-solving skills and the ability to learn quickly. This position will be part of a fast-paced team, often working on high-priority projects and short deadlines. Good judgment, initiative, and cooperation with other staff and outside stakeholders will be an asset to this position. Under general direction of the Government Affairs Manager this position will be responsible for supporting the division’s engagement in state and federal legislative affairs to protect and advance San José policy, business and community interests.

Typical duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor, review, interpret, and explain to a variety of audiences federal and state legislative and budget proposals and other policy issues with an eye toward impact on SJCE and its customers.
• Conduct comprehensive bill analysis, draft position letters and written testimony to be shared with a variety of stakeholders.
• Interface with the programs team on state legislative and budget proposals for energy programs including energy efficiency, demand response, distributed energy resources, building electrification and transportation electrification with an eye towards developing and implementing City programs to meet state and local decarbonization goals.
• Advocate with legislative offices and the administration to articulate and advance department interests
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships including non-profit, business, and government entities, and where appropriate build regional and statewide coalitions to support the interests of the department.

Under the direction of management:

• Work closely with technical experts, the regulatory and policy team, the city’s intergovernmental affairs team, and lobbyist to develop effective and persuasive communications before the legislature, and other agencies.
• Provide support for representation in legislative hearings on bills, and budget priorities
• Represent SJCE in work with other CCAs and at CalCCA legislative committees
• Perform other related duties as required.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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

Per the City’s COVID19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022, to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19

vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that employees are required to be vaccinated with the entire initial series of a COVID-19 vaccine (two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Salary Information: The total annual salary range for a Power Resources Specialist I is $93,868.32 - $114,397.92. The total annual salary range for a Power Resources Specialist II is: $102,145.68 - $124,444.32. These ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual pay shall be determined by the candidates' qualifications and experience. Bargaining Unit: City Association of Management Personnel (CAMP)

Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures, policies, and federal and state rules and regulations. Experience in the electric industry, and specifically with tracking legislation and bill analysis. Knowledge of state and local decarbonization goals and programs.

Collaboration – Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Analytical Thinking – Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Initiative – Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Qualifications - External Education and Experience

Power Resources Specialist I - A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or an analytical degree related field to utility business.

Power Resources Specialist II - A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Finance, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or an analytical degree related field to utility business AND one (1) year of experience in energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations.

Licenses or Certificates: Valid California Driver’s License may be required.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application, cover letter and resume, and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.

1. Do you have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or an analytical degree related field to utility business and at least one (1) year of experience in energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations?

2. Please specify your degree, field of study, and the college or university where you obtained your degree. You may also include any additional degrees or applicable certifications that you have achieved.

3. How have you gained at least one (1) year of experience in energy resource policy evaluation, operations, planning, and compliance?

4. Please attach a cover letter to summarize your qualifications and describe how your experience qualifies you as the Legislative Affairs Specialist.

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. Submission of a resume is optional. However, submission of a resume in lieu of completing the education and work experience sections on the application and failing to answer all the questions will constitute an incomplete application and it will be withheld from further consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Adrienne Barreto adrienne.barreto@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information

- Link to Benefits page

- Link to Department Website

To apply, please complete an application via the City of San José’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers. This position is open until filled, please apply as soon as possible. Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. Please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-1285, or Human.Resources@sanjoseca.gov if you have any questions.

The Department - Silicon Valley Power (SVP)  
SVP currently provides over 40 percent of Santa Clara’s electricity 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 capturing and burning methane gas from a closed city landfill and using power from solar generating systems on city-owned garages and vacant, unusable land. 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 Position:
Electric and Water System Operators ensure that all Electric, Water and Storm sewer systems are operated reliably, efficiently and effectively in a safe manner and restoring service in a timely way to all customers.  Has responsibility for operation of the City's municipal electric power and water, production, transmission and distribution systems for planned and unplanned outages. As a Transmission Operator, operating personnel in this position have the responsibility to comply with NERC reliability standards and the authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System; these efforts to be coordinated with the appropriate Reliability Coordinator (RC), affected Transmission Operator(s) (TO) and affected Balancing Authorities (BA).

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 GUARENTEE 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. 

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.

 

Typical Duties: 

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.

Under general direction of the Senior Electric and Water System Operators:
• Initiates, issues and validates switching orders and electrical clearances for planned and unplanned work including work carried out on protection schemes with the goal of restoring power to all impacted customers, or facilitating work to be carried on the 12kV System and above in a safe, reliable and efficient manner in accordance with the department procedures
• Receives, troubleshoots, prioritizes and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment for all non 911 emergency and non emergency calls for the electric system during business hours and for the electric, water, storm sewer, streets, traffic lights and any other City services during non business hours
• Monitors Water & Sewer (SCADA) to detect abnormal conditions; performs operations or adjustments to correct such abnormalities or refers the problem to specialized maintenance personnel
• Monitors the Electric System including prescribed off-site facilities using real-time or near real-time tools; uses these tools to make adjustments, perform operations or perform analysis to use as a basis in the direction of operations on the Electric System as necessary to maintain system requirements and reliability
• Maintains logs and other electric and water system reports. Updates all prescribed electric databases and mapping systems with real-time changes including updated asset data that affect the operation and troubleshooting of the Electric Network. All changes are to be validated by operators on subsequent shifts based on departmental standards and established practices
• Interacts courteously and calmly with the key customer stakeholders, including contractors, the general public, key business customers, City departmental supervisory and journey level personnel to address requests for non 911 emergency and non emergency service
• Maintains the work area and all records in a neat and orderly manner
• Performs duties involving basic arithmetic and algebraic calculations
• Assists in the training of new electric and water system operators as needed
• Performs related work as required

 

Minimum Qualifications: 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Requirements:
• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and
• 1) Two (2) years of experience in an electric utility performing complex load dispatching and switching or
• 2) Four (4) years of experience in an electric utility as a generating plant or substation operator with sub-dispatching responsibility or
• 3) Four (4) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara Electric Department, including at least one (1) year as an journey-level or higher, electrician or lineman/linewoman or
• Completion of a recognized State of California Electric System Operator apprentice program

Desirable Qualification:
A valid Transmission Operator Certificate issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

LICENSE
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment and for the duration of employment.

CERTIFICATES
Possession of the following certificate is required within one year of hire date and for the duration of appointment:
• A valid Water Distribution System Operator Certificate (Grade D-1 or above) issued by the California Department of Health Services (DHS).
• A valid Transmission Operator Certificate issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Incumbents will be required to obtain and maintain any other license or certification mandated by NERC for the position of Transmission Operator and necessary for the performance of duties under the current scope of responsibilities pertaining to the SVP Transmission System.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, which may include employment verification, a DMV record check, a criminal history check and Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) fingerprinting. Any information obtained will be used to determine eligibility for employment in accordance with the law. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment, however failure to disclose a conviction when required will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
• Incumbents may be assigned to work on a rotating 12-hour shift schedule
• Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, to schedules that may include weekends, holidays, and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required
• Incumbents may have to pass an initial and periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State and/or industry security requirements
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment
 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

Knowledge of:
• Potential hazards involved to life and property resulting from switching operations
• Fundamentals of electricity theory regarding power flow in the operation of electric power systems
• Electric power system equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, air switches, capacitors, motors, generators, pumps, instruments, prime movers, bridge mains and taps, vacuum and oil switches; water pumps and storage tanks; and vaults, manholes and pull boxes
• The operation of electric and water production, transmission, and distribution systems
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions
• Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards

Ability to:
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions and read and interpret maps
• Communicate effectively and exercise tact and maintain poise in addressing service requests, disputes and differences arising from customer, inter-divisional, inter-departmental, contractor, general public and outside regulatory agency interactions
• Maintain accurate records
• Perform simple single and three phase electrical calculations and arithmetic and algebraic calculations
• Work collaboratively in a team based environment to achieve common goals
• Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public
• Work under pressure with accuracy and speed in a complex work environment
• Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload and meet strict deadlines
• Operate a personal computer and related programs such as Microsoft Office and technical systems such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
• Read and interpret measuring devices such as charts, and computer displays; monitoring water and electricity flows as loads are changed; recognize and correct unsatisfactory conditions when tolerance parameters are exceeded
• Learn and effectively utilize the SCADA, Distribution Management, Outage Management and Mapping systems
• Learn and understand protection scheme philosophy, logic, interdependencies and vulnerabilities within the SVP System
• Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, 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 must be submitted by the filing deadline of Friday, March 15, 2022 at 4:00 PM. 
 
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.