Principal Electric Utility Engineer (20445847)

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. 

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
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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

• 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

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

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

• 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

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 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
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• 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.