Job Board

Regulatory Policy Specialist (Power Resources Specialist I/II) - Community Energy Department - (2300400)

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.

Positions & Duties

The department is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Regulatory Policy Specialist (Power Resources Specialist I/II) position to support the Regulatory Compliance and Policy 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 multiple 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 Deputy Director of Regulatory Compliance and Policy Division, the Regulatory Policy Specialist (Power Resources Specialist I/II) will be responsible for supporting the division’s engagement in electric regulatory and programmatic proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) 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 regulatory proposals and other policy issues with an eye toward impact on SJCE and its customers.

- Work independently and with stakeholders to influence state policy.

- Perform electric utility tariff analysis, policy risk assessment, and provide technical analysis to support internal rate forecasts and comply with applicable state and local laws.

- Review and report on state 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.

- Support the preparation of comments, data requests, written responses, position papers, testimony, and exhibits related to a variety of technical regulatory proceedings impacting SJCE energy procurement, energy management, and electric rates.

- Under the direction of management:

*work closely with technical experts and external regulatory counsel to develop effective and persuasive communications before the CPUC, CEC, California Legislature, and any other regulatory body as required.

*represent SJCE in regulatory proceedings through preparation of comments, data requests, written responses, position papers, analytical models, testimony, and exhibits

*represent SJCE in work with other CCAs and at CalCCA

- Perform other related duties as required.

The candidate should have effective communication skills, strong policy analysis skills, and attention to detail. Candidates that are highly collaborative with colleagues and outside stakeholders are ideal.

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.

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.

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.

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, energy policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing to audiences with different levels of knowledge; listens well; and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

• Analytical Thinking – Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach. Understands quantitative analysis and  planning for decarbonized goals, can apply results in support goals of the organization.

• 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.

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

• Planning - Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

• Political Skill – In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

• 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 a desired outcome.

• Vision/Strategic Thinking – Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization’s vision and values.

Qualifications

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. What is your experience working in an energy role on areas such as rate design, system planning, electrification policies, demand response programs, and the like?
5. Have you been involved in any regulatory proceedings? What were your responsibilities throughout the process?
6. Please share at least one example of a regulatory or policy-related project in which you had to partner with others. How did you collaborate with your team to ensure the project was supported?
7. Describe your experience in representing an organization in external stakeholder meetings and advocating for your agency’s position.

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 Zoe McChesney 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. The application deadline is on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM. 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.

Job

: Planning & Community Developmn

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Type

: Standard

Job Posting

: Mar 29, 2023, 1:19:02 PM

Minimum Salary

: 93,868.32

Maximum Salary

: 124,444.32

Bargaining Unit 1: City Association of Management Personnel