Job Board

The Community Energy 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 benefits, 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 contracted to add over 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.

The Position

The Principal Power Resources Specialist position reports to the Deputy Director of the Power Resources Division. This position is part of an exciting, fast-paced team responsible for procuring hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy projects.

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare, issue, and evaluate solicitations, including energy hedges (Inter-SC Trades), resource adequacy, renewable energy credits and long-term power purchase agreements.

• Conduct economic analysis of solicitation results for least-cost, best fit solutions. • Negotiate purchases and sales of energy, capacity, transmission rights and renewable energy credits.

• Analyze the performance of SJCE’s portfolio of power contracts and CAISO (California Independent System Operator) market participation. Report results to senior management with recommendations to enhance market performance, reduces risks, and lower costs.

• Provide direction and guidance to SJCE’s Scheduling Agent, particularly focusing on stand-alone storage and collocated renewables, based on SJCE’s internal strategies and policies.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on CAISO Scheduling and Bidding practices, including knowledge of the CAISO Tariff and Business Practice Manuals.

• Develop procurement plans and strategies related to energy, capacity, and renewable energy credits. • Develop and improve CRR (Congestion Revenue Rights) strategies to mitigate congestion risks.

• Coordinate project-based work with internal and external staff as required.

• Participate in joint procurement initiatives with other CCAs and CA Community Power. • Develop and maintain relationships with key power suppliers.

• Oversee consultants and review modeling results for projects such as Integrated Resource Planning, Long-Term PPA analysis, and strategy development.

• Oversee the operational impacts of new generation resources (e.g., renewable, stand-alone storage) as they progress through various stages of development, construction, and operations.

• Assist with CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) compliance filings such as RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) Procurement Plans and Resource Adequacy filings.

• Prepare and present technical and complex written and oral reports to a diverse audience.

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, with a proven track record of cost reduction and portfolio performance improvements.

• Experience negotiating contracts with large energy trading firms, utilities, and renewable developers.

• Familiarity 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).

• Experience with energy generation and storage technologies, including carbon-free energy, renewable generation, stand-alone storage, and hybrid resources. • Experience participating in or managing energy offers and requests for proposals.

• Strong analytical skills, with a history of implementing data driven strategies to lower costs and improve portfolio performance.

• Proficiency in quantitative skills, statistical analysis, including complex spreadsheets, analytical platforms, and workload planning. • Expertise with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Planner, etc.).

• Knowledge related to power generation technologies, major asset owners and sellers, risks and benefits of various power sources and contract structures.

• Familiarity with CAISO applications including but not limited to SIBR, OMS, CIRA, and OASIS.

• Experience with CAISO markets, power scheduling, operations and/or settlement functions to ensure optimal market participation and compliance with internal and external polices.

• Knowledge of CPUC regulatory requirements impacting SJCE’s portfolio.

• Knowledge of short & long-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.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles, practices, Citywide and departmental procedures, policies, federal, state rules and regulations.

• 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.

• Problem Solving – Approaches situations or problem by defining the issue; determines the significance & priority, collects information from various sources; uses logic & intuition to make decisions and solution sets & outcomes.

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

• 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.

• Analytical Thinking – Approaches problems or situations using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

• Project Management - Ensures support for and drives projects, implements goals towards strategic objectives.

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

Education & Experience

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

Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible related experience overseeing and administering energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations.

Licenses: Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license may be required.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in the US. Please be informed 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 which requires an employer application.

Compensation & Benefits 

The Principal Power Resources Specialist salary range is currently $168,312-$210,388; 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 – The City has its own competitive defined benefit retirement plan separate from and 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 40 hours is granted annually and, depending upon success in the Management Performance Program, could increase to up to 80 hours. Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of approximately 8 hours per month.

• Holidays – The City observes 15 paid holidays 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.

• Parental Leave Program – The City has a City-Paid Parental Leave program for which the incumbent in this position would be eligible. The program provides up to 320 hours of City-paid leave and are able to use up to 120 hours of their sick leave balances for the birth or placement of a new child, all of which must be used no later than 12 months from the birth or placement of the child.

Executive Management Benefits - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=21323

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

Important Information

Form 700 Filing: 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.

COVID-19 Policy: Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all new hires to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical or religious exemption. Fully vaccinated means a person has received the following:

» Two doses of the monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; or

» Two doses of the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine; or

» Two doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine; or

» One dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; or

» One dose of the bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; or

» One dose of the bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Application Process

To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please submit a cover letter with current organization chart, resume (with months/years of employment and size of staff and budgets managed) via e-mail to:

Zoë McChesney

Community Energy Department City of San Jose

Email: zoe.mcchesney@sanjoseca.gov

Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the brochure and candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to preliminary screening interviews for further consideration. Qualified applicants will be contacted and scheduled for interviews. Candidates will be advised of their status of the recruitment following the selection of the Principal Power Resources Specialist. If you have any questions regarding this exciting opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact Zoë McChesney at zoe.mcchesney@sanjoseca.gov. Successful completion of a thorough background investigation prior to employment is required. The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer encouraging workforce diversity.