Assistant Director of Utility Operations

About the role

The City is seeking an Assistant Director of Utility Operations to oversee daily operations of the municipal electric utility, including transmission and distribution, substations, system engineering, reliability, safety programs, and emergency response. The ideal candidate should have experience in Power Supply, Resource Planning and Contract Negotiation, understanding Utility Operations, possessing excellent Leadership skills, and having Regulatory and Legislative Experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and/or participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Electric Department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; ensures that divisional goals are achieved.
• Negotiate, administer, and ensure compliance with energy contracts, interconnection agreements, easements, licenses, construction contracts, joint agency participation, and long-term financial obligations.
• Support and lead components of power resource planning, procurement evaluations, renewable portfolio standard compliance support, emissions reporting, and project development negotiations in coordination with the Electric Utility Director and outside advisors.
• Represent the utility in regulatory proceedings, legislative workgroups, and joint action agency committees, communicating operational impacts and policy positions.
• Monitor, interpret, and respond to legislative and regulatory matters impacting public power utilities, including NERC, FERC, CAISO, CEC, CARB, and state legislative activities; draft position statements, technical comments, and correspondence.
• Lead efforts in resource planning with other agencies and businesses requiring negotiations involving complex terms and conditions for power resources.
• Manage the power resource generation planning process.
• Acquire emission allowances, congestion revenue rights and renewable energy credits to meet state renewable portfolio standard requirements.
• Make regulatory filings before the California Energy Commission and Air Resources Board.
• Establish relationships with consultants and other agencies to facilitate joint collaborative action operational, regulatory and legislative matters affecting power resources.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; monitor and evaluate workload, technical support systems; internal reporting relationships, and inter-agency issues; identify opportunities for improvement, and develop recommendations.
• Assist in developing overall policies, financial resources, and facility plans for electric utilities in conjunction with key staff and consultants.
• Participate in City meetings with representatives of governmental and regulatory agencies, developers, contractors, and business groups; attend and participate in SCPPA and community meetings as necessary.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the City Manager, City Council and department heads concerning electric utility operations; assist in providing information and staff assistance to the Utilities Commission.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.

Requirements

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Electric Engineering, public or business administration, or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree or professional engineer designation is highly desired.

Experience: Five (5) years of directly related experience in electric utility operations, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience. Experience in electric utility management is required.

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and good driving record.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Applicable regulatory codes and laws regarding the development, construction and operation of public utilities; City organization, operations, policies and procedures; customer service standard and protocols; General Orders (CPUC) rules for construction and maintenance of overhead and underground electric supply and communication systems; methods, materials, techniques and equipment used in construction, operations, inspection, design and maintenance of electric utilities; occupational hazards and standard safety procedures; complex principles and practices of electrical engineering; operations of joint power agencies; principles and practices for operating public electric; principles and practices of administrative management; principles and practices of contract administration and project management; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; principles and practices of public finance; principles and practices of regulatory management; principles and practices of strategic and resource planning; principles and practices of emergency operations and mutual assistance process; methods, materials, techniques and equipment used in construction, operations, inspection, design and maintenance of electric utilities; occupational hazards and standard safety procedures; record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures; principles and practices of California ISO, FERC and NERC.
• Ability: Build effective teams, foster teamwork and provide efficient customer service; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; deal tactfully and courteously with the public; define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; direct the work of subordinate staff; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City Manager, City Council, managers, supervisors, staff, contractors, suppliers, developers, businesses, external public agencies and the general public; formulate and present policy recommendations; interpret and apply City, state and federal policies, laws and regulations; investigate, analyze and resolve complex and sensitive issues and complaints; make appropriate decisions while ensuring compliance with City goals and objectives; manage situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness and sound judgment; operate a personal computer and various software applications; understand and negotiate complex technical agreements with other agencies; use initiative and independent judgement within established procedural guidelines; read, interpret, understand, develop and implement operating standards and procedures, applicable federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures; assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands; plan, organize and direct the work of subordinate staff; select and supervise subordinate staff; assist in the preparation and administration of a municipal budget; maintain complex records; make adjustments to standard operating procedures as is appropriate, work independently; understand and follow verbal and written directions.