Energy Financial Planning Specialist – Senior Power Resources Specialist, Energy Department

The Energy Financial Planning Specialist – Senior Power Resources Specialist, Energy Department will be responsible for assisting with the financial planning and forecasting functions for San José Clean Energy (SJCE). The incumbent in this position will perform a wide range of key responsibilities to analyze and track the department’s energy resources financial forecasting and planning functions, including but not limited to the following:

• Complete analysis related to financial planning, forecasting.

• Complete analysis and assist with maintaining SJCE’s financial proforma to forecast costs out 20 years to better align with SJCE’s power portfolio, which currently totals more than $3 billion. This will require working with senior management and consultants to select new software tools as the current forecast projects out 5 years only.

• Integrate complex energy market forecasts derived from multiple sources to analyze near- and long-term costs.

• Integrate the impact of short and long-term power purchase agreements, each with distinct start date, term, energy generation profile, and package of energy products being provided to SJCE in each agreement, on SJCE’s financial forecast.

• Financial proforma analysis and forecasting for operational revenues totaling over $500 million annually.

• Monitor and evaluate the financial impacts of PG&E rate changes and proposed changes which are updated throughout the year.

• Evaluate PG&E’s regulatory filings and incorporate impacts on SJCE’s financial forecasts.

• Perform complex analysis of revenue and expenditure projections.

• Serve as a technical and professional resource and support rate change implementation, including analysis, rate assessment and recommendations, memo writing preparation, and coordination with data services vendor.

• Participate in cost-benefit analysis of potential new Department programs.

The ideal candidate will have utility industry and energy market knowledge and will understand the complexity of performing financial forecasting in a volatile and complex energy market that is heavily regulated. The ideal candidate should have strong analytical and proven experience in effectively multi-tasking, prioritizing, and planning activities to meet deadlines. 

The ideal candidate will possess: 

• Knowledge of energy markets, pricing trends, seasonal market dynamics, with a proven track record of cost reduction and portfolio performance improvements. 
• Ability to work with various teams and external stakeholders and consultants to ensure the accuracy of longrange financial planning for SJCE. 
• Expertise in understanding the intersection of the regulated environment with the complexities of being a single jurisdiction Community Choice Aggregator with municipal policies and procedures 
• Experience with researching, compiling, analyzing, and evaluating general and statistical information and development of work products such as reports, policy statements, Council memos or presentations that effectively present complex energy financial information in a way that can be understood by non-technical audiences. 
• Strong analytical skills, with a history of implementing data driven strategies to lower costs and improve portfolio performance. 
• Proficiency in quantitative skills, statistical analysis, including complex spreadsheets, analytical platforms, and workload planning.  
• Expertise with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Planner) and other software tools. 
• Advanced Excel expertise and experience with visualization tools such as PowerBI and Tableau. 
• Knowledge of CPUC regulatory requirements impacting SJCE’s portfolio. 
• Knowledge of short & long-term resource plans; including integrated resource planning to develop an electric utility’s resource needs to cost effectively meet electricity demand over the planning horizon.   

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies: 

• Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles, practices, Citywide and departmental procedures, policies, federal, state rules and regulations.   
• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible & approachable, interacts on a regular basis; promoting a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction. 
• Collaboration – Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.   
• Problem Solving – Approaches situations or problem by defining the issue; determines the significance & priority, collects information from various sources; uses logic & intuition to make decisions and solution sets & outcomes.  
• Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements. 
• Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives. 
• Analytical Thinking – Approaches problems or situations using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.  
• Project Management - Ensures support for and drives projects, implements goals towards strategic objectives. 
• Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information, expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills, displays openness to other's ideas and thoughts. 

Education & Experience

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Statistics, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, or field related to utility business. 

Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible related experience overseeing and administering energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations. 

Licenses: Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license may be required. 

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in the US. Please be informed the City of San José 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. 

Compensation & Benefits

The Senior Power Resources Specialist salary range is currently $135,211-$165,635; placement within this range will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. This salary includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The salary is supplemented by an attractive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:   

• Retirement – The City has its own competitive defined benefit retirement plan separate from and with full reciprocity with CalPERS.  
• Health Insurance – The City contributes 90% towards the premium for the lowest-priced non-deductible plan. Several plan options are available.  
• Dental Insurance – The City contributes 100% of the premium of the lowest-priced plan for dental coverage.  
• Personal Time – Vacation is accrued initially at the rate of three weeks per year, with amounts increasing up to five weeks after 15 years of service. Vacation accrual may be adjusted for successful candidates with prior public service to reflect a vacation accrual rate commensurate with total years of public service. Executive Leave of 48 hours is granted annually and, depending upon success in the Management Performance Program, could increase to up to 80 hours. Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of approximately 8 hours per month.  
• Holidays – The City observes 16 paid holidays annually.  
• Deferred Compensation – The City offers an optional 457(b) plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – The City participates in Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Reimbursement Programs.  
• Insurance – The City provides a term life insurance policy equal to two times annual salary. Long-term disability and AD&D plans are optional. 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – The City provides a comprehensive range of services through its EAP.  
• Parental Leave Program – The City has a City-Paid Parental Leave program for which the incumbent in this position would be eligible. The program provides up to 320 hours of City-paid leave and are able to use up to 120 hours of their sick leave balances for the birth or placement of a new child, all of which must be used no later than 12 months from the birth or placement of the child.   

Executive Management Benefits - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=21323   

Health Benefits - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/human-resources/benefits 

Application Process

This position is open until filled. First review of applications will take place on February 20, 2024. To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please submit a cover letter with current organization chart, resume (with months/years of employment and size of staff and budgets managed) via e-mail to:   

Zoë McChesney

Energy Department City of San Jose

Email: zoe.mcchesney@sanjoseca.gov 

Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the brochure and candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to preliminary screening interviews for further consideration. Qualified applicants will be contacted and scheduled for interviews. Candidates will be advised of their status of the recruitment following the selection of the Senior Power Resources Specialist-Financial Management. If you have any questions regarding this exciting opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact Zoë McChesney at zoe.mcchesney@sanjoseca.gov. Successful completion of a thorough background investigation prior to employment is required. The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer encouraging workforce diversity.