Power Resources Specialist Graduate Student Intern (Unclassified) (Part-time) - Energy Department

The City of San José’s diverse and inclusive workforce plays a key role in making San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is the City’s local, not-for-profit electricity supplier, operated by the Energy Department. Since 2019, SJCE has provided clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while offering community programs, local benefits, and increased transparency. SJCE serves over 350,000 customer accounts and has contracted for more than 1 GW of power, playing a critical role in San José’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. The department centers equity, diversity, and inclusion in its work and hosts active staff-led Culture and Racial Equity committees.

About the Role

The Energy Department is seeking a Power Resources Specialist Graduate Student Intern to assist with the analysis of energy markets and renewable energy technologies. This part-time, unclassified, and unbenefited position offers hands-on experience in evaluating wholesale energy markets, renewable technologies, and market data tools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate California’s wholesale energy markets and renewable energy technologies, including market performance, availability, and commercial viability.
• Assist in developing internal tools to process and evaluate large datasets, such as CAISO system demand, market clearing prices, and grid outages.
• Support the creation of internal dashboards and reports to present data, research findings, and market insights.
• Research and attend market events to track trends, technology innovations, and product availability.
• Prepare summary materials and present findings to internal teams.
• Research analytical tools, software, and market data resources to inform system or process enhancements, including open-source resources.
• Assist with scenario analysis, back-testing, and primary research related to Power Purchase Agreements, resource performance, and industry standards.
• Support SJCE’s ongoing business operations, including attending meetings, preparing materials, drafting correspondence, proofreading documents, and maintaining records.

Requirements

• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree and current enrollment in a Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university in business, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California may be required.
• Candidates must upload a copy of their current school schedule with the accredited college or university’s name to be considered.

Skills

• Experience conducting primary and secondary research from credible sources.
• Experience attaining, processing, and cleaning data, preferably energy data.
• Experience or knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge or familiarity with CAISO or other ISO/RTOs, wholesale energy market mechanics, resource technologies, resource scheduling, or Power Purchase Agreements (bonus).

Desired Education

• Data Science / Data Analytics
• Computer Science
• Statistics / Applied Mathematics
• Sustainable Energy Systems

Pay

Graduate Student Intern: $21.14 - $31.22 per hour (includes an approximate 5% ongoing non-pensionable compensation). The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Schedule

During the academic year, interns are recommended to work 24-40 hours per week, with schedules determined collaboratively based on student availability and project needs. During summer and winter breaks, interns may work up to 40 hours per week.