Senior Power Resources Specialist

The City of San José Energy Department

The City of San José

Known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley, " the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role anchoring the world's leading region of innovation.

Encompassing 181 square miles at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, San José is Northern California's largest city, third largest in the State, and the 13th largest city in the nation. With more than one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world, including major tech headquarters like Cisco, Adobe, Zoom, Samsung, and eBay as well as start-ups and advanced manufacturing. The City of San José has twice been named "The Most Innovative Large City in America" by the Center for Digital Government.

San José's quality of life is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Diablo and Santa Cruz Mountain ranges and enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, residents have easy access to the beaches along the California coast including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel-by-the-Sea; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada; local and Napa Valley wine country, and the rich cultural and recreational life of the entire Bay region. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media including Business Week and Money magazines. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit www.sjeconomy.com/why-san-jose.

In 2011, the City adopted Envision San José 2040, a long-term growth plan that sets forth a vision and a comprehensive road map to guide the City's anticipated growth through the year 2040. The Plan proactively directs significant anticipated growth in new homes and workplaces into transit-accessible, infill growth areas and supports evolution toward a more urban landscape and lifestyle. The San José area is powered by one of the most highly educated and productive populations in the United States. More than 40% of the workforce has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 25% nationally. Forty percent of San José residents are foreign born, and 50% speak a language other than English at home. San José is proud of its rich cultural diversity and global connections, and the essential role the City plays in connecting residents and businesses to the nation and the world.

The City Government

The City of San José is a full-service Charter City and operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of ten (10) council members elected by district and a mayor elected at large. The City Manager, who reports to the Council, and her executive team provide strategic leadership that supports the policy-making role of the Mayor and the City Council and motivates and challenges the organization to deliver high quality services that meet the community's needs. Department heads are appointed by the City Manager with confirmation by the City Council. The City actively engages with members of the community through Council-appointed boards and commissions.

In addition to providing a full range of municipal services including police and fire, San José operates an airport, a municipal water system, a regional wastewater treatment facility, some 200 neighborhood and regional parks, and a library system with 24 branches. The City also oversees convention, cultural, and hospitality facilities that include the San José McEnery Convention Center, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza, and the SAP Center San José - home of the National Hockey League San José Sharks.

City operations are supported by 6,994 full-time equivalent positions and a total operating and capital budget of $6.1 billion for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. San José is dedicated to maintaining the highest fiscal integrity and earning high credit ratings to ensure the consistent delivery of quality services to the community. Extensive information regarding San José can be found on the City website at www.sanjoseca.gov

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 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 benefits, and increased transparency and accessibility. SJCE serves more than 350,000 customer accounts and has contracted for more than 1 GW of power.

Joining our team means that you will be making a big impact on 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 the City's climate action plan, Climate Smart San José.

Thanks to SJCE, San Jose has one of the cleanest energy mixes of any large city and offers a 60% renewable product and a 100% renewable product.

Serving our community with respect and integrity is at the core of what we do. We center equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in our work. The department also hosts active, staff[1]led Culture and Racial Equity committees and has won awards for its education and outreach work with Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking communities.

San Jose Clean Energy is composed of eight different divisions:

• Account Management, Marketing and Public Affairs
• Budget, Financial Planning and Human Resources
• Climate Smart
• Customer Programs
• Legislative Affairs
• Power Resources
• Regulatory Compliance and Policy
• Risk Management and Contracts Administration

For more information about San José Clean Energy, please visit: www.sanjosecleanenergy.org.

The Position

The department is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Senior Power Resources Specialist position to support the Power Resources Division. This role reports to a Principal Power Resources Specialist and is part of a dynamic, fast-paced team responsible for procuring hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy projects, playing a key role in advancing the City's clean energy goals.

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare, issue, and evaluate solicitations for energy, resource adequacy, and renewable energy credits. Participate in long-term procurement related to renewable energy resources, energy storage projects, and other power products.
• Manage, analyze, and recommend power supply products to minimize risk to the portfolio.
• Provide analytical support for the bidding and scheduling of the SJCE resource portfolio.
• Complete analysis and prepare procurement plans, including managing consultants, and developing procurement strategies.
• Collaborate with the regulatory team in drafting required regulatory filings such as integrated resources plans and renewable procurement plans.
• Collaborate with the account management team to develop new products desired by customers, such as rates with market-price components and feed-in-tariffs.
• Participate in joint procurement with other Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) and CA Community Power.
• Develop and maintain relationships with power suppliers and consultants.
• Assure compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements.
• Work closely with SJCE's Long-Term Origination team on strategic procurement opportunities, including clean energy and battery storage projects
• Support risk assessment and contract performance monitoring by partnering with the Risk Management and Contract Administration team on reporting and analytics.
• Contribute to Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs).
• Draft memos and present to internal stakeholders and City committees.
• Prepare materials for City Council and public meetings related to power procurement, ensuring transparency and alignment with public priorities.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have a knowledge of California energy markets and experience working with a variety of market participants, including renewable energy and storage developers, large energy trading firms, independent power producers, investor owned and municipal utilities, and CCAs. The ideal candidate should have strong analytical and negotiation skills, experience in power trading and origination, or renewable energy development and contract management.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of energy markets, pricing trends, seasonal market dynamics, and experience lowering costs and improving portfolio performance.
• Experience in contract negotiations with large energy trading firms, utilities, and renewable developers.
• Experience with typical power contracts and agreements including: the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) agreement, the Western Systems Power Pool (WSSP) agreement, tolling agreements, and long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable projects.
• Experience in participating in or managing power bids and requests for proposals.
• Strong analytical skills, experience implementing data driven strategies, to lower costs and improve portfolio performance.
• Knowledge related to power generation technologies, major asset owners and sellers, risks and benefits of various power sources and contract structures.
• Experience with California Independent System Operator (CAISO) markets, other Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), power scheduling and settlement functions to ensure compliance and reduce market risks and costs. Knowledge of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulatory requirements.
• Experience developing long & short-term resource plans; including integrated resource planning to develop an electric utility's resource needs to cost effectively meet electricity demand over the planning horizon.

Minimum Qualifications

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: Possession of a valid license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California may be required.

Form 700: Upon commencement of employment and subsequently each spring, the incumbent of this position must file the Family Gift Reporting Form together with the Statement of Economic Interest-Form 700. Please view the following link for details related to the State-Required reporting: Form 700 (ca.gov) and the following link for the City of San José Family Gift Reporting Form.

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 José will not sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa that requires an employee application.

Competencies

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.

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

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

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

Fiscal Management: Demonstrates good financial management skills and understands complex energy procurement practices. Complies with applicable laws and polices including Energy Risk Management policies.

Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Planning: Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

The Senior Power Resources salary range is currently $147,005.04 - $180,070.80. Placement within this range will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. This salary includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The salary is supplemented by an attractive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:

• Retirement - Competitive defined benefit retirement plan with full reciprocity with CalPERS.
• Health Insurance - The City contributes 90% towards the premium for the lowest-priced non-deductible plan. Several plan options are available.
• Dental Insurance - The City contributes 100% of the premium of the lowest-priced plan for dental coverage.
• Personal Time - Vacation is accrued initially at the rate of three weeks per year with amounts increasing up to five weeks after 15 years of service. Vacation accrual may be adjusted for successful candidates with prior public service to reflect a vacation accrual rate commensurate with total years of public service. Executive Leave of 48 hours is granted annually and depending upon success in the Management Performance Program, could increase to up to 88 hours. Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of approximately 8 hours per month.
• Holidays - The City observes 15 paid days annually.
• Deferred Compensation - The City offers an optional 457(b) plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - The City participates in Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Reimbursement Programs.
• Insurance - The City provides a term life insurance policy equal to two times annual salary. Long-term disability and AD&D plans are optional.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - The City provides a comprehensive range of services through its EAP.

Health Benefits - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your[1]government/departments-offices/human-resources/benefits

How to apply

The position will open on August 13, 2025, and will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will take place on September 1, 2025. To be considered, candidates must submit their application online at , or at pipermaddox.com along with the following items:

• A cover letter.
• A resume
• List of at least three (3) work-related references (who will not be contacted without prior notice).

Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be invited to proceed in the selection process.

Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. A final selection will be made upon completion of comprehensive reference and background checks.

Consultant Recruiter Name - Sam Kirby

Consulting Agency Name - Piper Maddox

Phone: +1 424 644 6163

Email: s.kirby@pipermaddox.com

Click here to view the full job advert.