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This is your opportunity to be part of this amazing people-first utility company and to Thrive!
THE COMMUNITY
At the center of Silicon Valley is the City of Santa Clara, with a population of about 129,488, just 45 miles south of San Francisco. This 170-year-old city is rich with history. Santa Clara University is the oldest institution of higher learning in California and is home to the eighth California mission. Recently named one of the ten safest cities in America, Santa Clara has also been named as one of the most livable American cities because of its outstanding quality of life and opportunities for individual success and business success. The community has a small-town feel, while home to many global companies across several business sectors.
Known as “The Data Center Capital of the West”, Santa Clara has more than 50 data centers and over 350 megawatts of multi-tenant commissioned power.
Many of the world’s largest technology corporations are based in Santa Clara, resulting in a population that nearly doubles during the day. Intel, Applied Materials, Agilent Technologies, Marvell, and NVIDIA are just a few of the companies that have established headquarters in the City, with Apple and Facebook having a presence as well. The City has three advanced education institutions: Santa Clara University, Mission College, and University of California, Santa Cruz extension.
Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, is also in Santa Clara. The Stadium has hosted over 150 major events to date with an average of 18 events per year and has provided entertainment for fans across numerous platforms. Santa Clara’s amenities also include a popular Convention Center, retail shopping, restaurants, medical facilities, and numerous community and recreation centers.
The City of Santa Clara enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually and beautiful tree-lined streets offer residents a wide array of pleasant neighborhoods.
Residents have access to an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities, including California’s Great America Amusement Park, museums, theater productions, and a summer concert series. The City is also partnering with Related Companies to develop the Related Santa Clara Project: a 9.2 million sq. ft. project that aims to be the “most dynamic, fully integrated mixed-use destination in Silicon Valley” directly adjacent to Levi’s Stadium.
All this coupled with award-winning schools and a low crime rate help make Santa Clara a very attractive place to live and work. For more information on the City, visit Santa Clara’s website at SantaClaraCA.gov.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Santa Clara is a full-service Charter City with a mission to “promote a living and working environment that allows for the best quality of life by serving the community with resourceful, efficient, progressive, and professional leadership.” The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of a Mayor who is elected at-large, and six Council Members elected by district. Each serves four-year terms and the City Charter limits the Mayor and Council members to two consecutive terms. In Santa Clara, the Police Chief and City Clerk are also elected positions.
The City’s total workforce is approximately 1,149 full-time employees, and the 2023-24 fiscal year budget is $1.76 billion, of which $657 million is in Capital Improvement Projects.
In addition to general municipal services, the City of Santa Clara operates three additional lines of public service, either through a DBA or separate Joint Powers Authority (JPA) public agency: (1) a municipal electric utility doing business as Silicon Valley Power (SVP); (2) Santa Clara Stadium Authority, the JPA charged with oversight of Levi’s Stadium; and, (3) Santa Clara Convention Center, a City-owned facility operated by a third party management agreement with tourism attraction services supported by a Tourism Improvement District.
THE DEPARTMENT
As a community owned, not for profit municipal electric utility, SVP has provided dependable electric service for over 125 years. SVP provides electricity service to over 57,000 residential and business customers, at rates 32% to 56% below neighboring communities.
Today, SVP owns, operates, and participates in more than 1200 MW of electric generating resources and serves a peak load of approximately 700 MW. SVP's expansion plan will double the generating capacity over the next 10 years. This includes over 30 strategic initiatives in four distinct areas: Utility Performance Excellence, Customer Engagement and Satisfaction, Progress and Innovation Focus, and Community and Environmental Stewardship.
High-profile customers include large corporations such as Intel, Applied Materials, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and NVIDIA.
SVP currently provides more than 40% of Santa Clara's electricity from carbon-free renewable resources. In addition to using green energy from large-scale wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric projects outside of the area, SVP employs innovative ways to produce electricity locally by capturing and burning methane gas from a closed city landfill and using power from solar generating systems on city-owned garages and vacant, unusable land.
SVP consists of 222 full-time employees and has a revenue budget of $665,129,977 for fiscal year 2023-24.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Chief Electric Utility Officer (CEUO), the Electric Utility Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior management position in the City's unclassified service responsible for the oversight and direction for the fiscal, administrative, and managerial operations of the utility.
The COO has supervisory and support responsibilities for the utility's divisions: Utility Operations, Customer Development and Project Management, Resource Planning and Customer Engagement, and Business Services. The COO will help guide SVP through the extraordinary period of growth related by doubling the existing capacity of the electrical system to meet new customer demands over the next 10 years. In addition to the expansion, the COO will work to ensure new renewable resources are added to meet the City's and State’s climate goals.
The COO is responsible for forecasting service requirements and for planning, organizing and directing assigned resources of the electric utility division in order to meet those requirements. This includes developing and administering the department operations and capital improvement budgets. The incumbent acts as the CEUO in his/her absence.
The COO is expected to exercise critical thinking and detail oriented oversight in ensuring that utility operations are smooth, efficient, and compliant, with responsibility for results including costs, methods, and staffing.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the COO position should possess a blend of strategic vision, technical expertise, and exceptional leadership skills. They should have a proven track record in utility operations and maintenance, electric infrastructure, power generation, and resource procurement. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as the COO will be responsible for fostering collaboration both internally and externally.
Experience in managing large-scale capital projects, ensuring reliable transmission and distribution, and adhering to regulatory compliance are key qualifications. The ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies and community representatives, is vital for success in this leadership role. Overall, the ideal COO for a public electric utility is a visionary leader who can steer the organization toward operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and a sustainable energy future.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Engineering or an approved related field AND seven (7) years’ experience in utility engineering or operations including at least five (5) years’ experience in a senior management capacity. A Master’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Management, or Engineering is desirable and may be substituted for two (2) years of the qualifying engineering and operations experience requirement. Possession of a valid certificate of registration from the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers is desirable.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $276,832 - $358,258 per year. Placement within this range is dependent upon qualifications. In addition, the City also provides a competitive benefits package, including:
Retirement: The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS); Classic Members Non-Safety members “2.7% @ 55” with an 8% gross pay employee contribution and New Members Non-Safety “2% @ 62” with a 7% gross pay employee contribution.
Health Insurance: City contribution of up to $2,042.82 per month based on enrollment in CalPERS Health Plan; eligible for cash-in-lieu.
Retiree Medical Reimbursement:
City offered for Employees with at least 10 years of service up to $416 per month for retirees age 65 and below, and up to $249 per month for retirees over 65 years old.
VEBA: City contributes $50 per month towards employee VEBA Account.
Paid Family Leave: Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period.
Social Security/Medicare (FICA): Employee pays into Medicare (1.45%) and Social Security (6.20% up to the required annual limit).
Dental and Vision Insurance: City pays employee-only lowest cost plan. Employee pays for additional premiums above the employer contribution toward dental and vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Account: IRS Section 125 Plan, employee may contribute up to $3,200 per year to a health care spending account; $5,000 per year to a dependent care spending account, and $315 per month to a commuter benefit plan in pre-tax dollars.
Employee Assistance Program: City offered.
Vacation: Vacation accrual of 10 days per year for the first 4 years, with accrual increase over time.
Vacation Cash-Out: Up to 80 hours of accrued vacation once per year, to be paid in two cash- outs the following calendar year.
Sick Leave: 96 hours per year with no accrual limit.
Management Leave: 120 hours per calendar year (prorated in the first year based on hire date), with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.
Holidays: City observes thirteen (13) paid holidays annually and four (4) additional paid holidays between December 25th and January 1st.
Life Insurance: City pays the premium for $50,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage. Additional insurance may be purchased by the employee.
Deferred Compensation: City offers an optional 457(b) Plan.
Automobile Allowance: The City provides a vehicle allowance of up to $200 per month.
Cell Phone/Smart Phone Stipend: A City-issued cell phone or an allowance of $80 per month.
Tuition Reimbursement: City will reimburse eligible tuition expenses up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
For more information on employee benefits, visit the City’s benefits website.
TO APPLY
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact:
Jenna Flanagan at (916) 304-6663 or email her at jenna@jpowersinc.com
FILING DEADLINE
The filing deadline for this position is open until filled.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer.
