Principal Regulatory Compliance & Policy Manager

$182,982.80 - 228,726.95 per year

Renewable Energy

San Jose, California, United States

Permanent

Hybrid

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About the Job

Principal Regulatory Compliance & Policy Manager (Principal Power Resources Specialist)

City of San José – Energy Department

About the City of San José

Known as the Capital of Silicon Valley, the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role in one of the world’s leading regions of innovation. Encompassing 181 square miles with over one million residents, San José is Northern California’s largest city and the 13th largest in the nation. It is home to major technology companies including Cisco, Adobe, Zoom, Samsung, and eBay, as well as a thriving start-up and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Twice named “Most Innovative Large City in America,” San José offers exceptional quality of life, 300 days of sunshine annually, and proximity to beaches, mountains, wine country, and the Bay Area’s cultural amenities.

The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government, providing a full range of municipal services including police, fire, airport, water, wastewater, parks, and libraries. Supported by 6,994 full-time equivalent positions and a $6.1 billion FY 2024–2025 operating and capital budget, San José is committed to fiscal integrity, service excellence, and community engagement.

About San José Clean Energy (SJCE)

San José Clean Energy (SJCE), operated by the City’s Energy Department, is the community’s local, not-for-profit electricity supplier. Since 2019, SJCE has provided clean, affordable electricity to more than 350,000 customer accounts, contracting for over 1 GW of renewable power. The agency plays a central role in achieving San José’s ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 through the City’s Climate Smart San José plan.

SJCE offers both 60% renewable and 100% renewable energy products—making San José one of the cleanest large cities in the United States. The department centers equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in its work and has earned awards for its outreach to Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking communities.

The Position

SJCE is seeking a Principal Regulatory Compliance & Policy Manager (Principal Power Resources Specialist) to lead the Regulatory Compliance & Policy Division. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this position plays a key leadership role in shaping SJCE’s engagement with state regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance, and advancing policy priorities that support clean, affordable, and community-focused energy for San José residents.

This position offers an opportunity to serve at the intersection of policy, compliance, and community impact, helping to advance San José’s commitment to climate leadership and sustainable energy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a portfolio of state and regional regulatory proceedings, analyzing proposals and assessing impacts on SJCE operations.
Draft and submit formal public comments, briefs, and position papers to agencies such as the CPUC, CEC, and CAISO.
Advise SJCE leadership on emerging regulatory developments and align internal strategies across divisions.
Represent SJCE in working groups, trade associations, and stakeholder forums, building partnerships with other Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) and key industry players.
Mentor and guide staff, strengthening regulatory expertise and professional development across the team.
Prepare and review major compliance filings, including Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), Integrated Energy Policy Reports (IEPRs), and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) documentation.
Advocate for state policies that advance affordable, equitable, and locally controlled clean energy.
Lead internal projects, advise senior staff, and serve as Acting Deputy Director when required.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a seasoned energy and regulatory professional with a deep understanding of California’s complex regulatory landscape, experienced in managing compliance and policy initiatives.

They will bring:

Deep knowledge of CPUC, CEC, and CAISO operations and proceedings.
Proven experience managing or mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative environment.
Strong analytical and written communication skills for regulatory filings and policy advocacy.
The ability to anticipate and respond to regulatory trends impacting community energy programs.
Professional presence and political acumen to engage with senior stakeholders, agencies, and policymakers.
A clear commitment to public service, equity, and advancing clean energy access for all.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.
Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible related experience overseeing or administering energy operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license may be required.
Compliance: Must complete Form 700 and Family Gift Reporting requirements.
Eligibility: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available).

Core Competencies

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $182,982.80 – $228,726.94 (includes 5% ongoing non-pensionable pay)
Retirement: Competitive defined benefit plan with full CalPERS reciprocity
Health Coverage: City contributes 90% of premium for lowest-cost non-deductible plan
Dental: 100% City-paid
Paid Time Off: Three weeks vacation (up to five with tenure), 48–80 hours executive leave, 15 paid holidays, and sick leave
Insurance: Life insurance (2x annual salary), optional LTD & AD&D coverage
Other Benefits: EAP, 457(b) deferred compensation, and flexible spending programs

Application Process

Closing Date: November 24, 2025

To apply, submit the following materials to s.kirby@pipermaddox.com or via www.pipermaddox.com:

Cover letter
Resume
Three work-related references (not contacted without notice)
Responses to:
1. Describe your experience in formally or informally coaching or mentoring others in the workplace.
2. Describe how you have engaged in state regulatory proceedings related to rates, customer programs, or distribution/transmission issues.
3. Describe your role in leading or co-leading complex energy-related compliance filings.

Applications will be reviewed against the criteria in this posting. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in interviews.

Submit to

Sam Kirby – Piper Maddox
s.kirby@pipermaddox.com | +1 424 644 6163
https://www.pipermaddox.com

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Full job brochure available by clicking file download on this page.

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