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Job Description
Description
Shape the Future of Essential Services
Are you a visionary leader passionate about advancing utility services? The City of Palo Alto seeks an Assistant Director of Utilities to guide and elevate Electric Engineering, and Operations. Lead in one of California’s most innovative cities, driving sustainability, innovation, and exceptional service.
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) stands out by providing an extensive range of services to its residents and businesses, including electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, and fiber optics. Recognized nationally for its innovation and leadership, CPAU is an award-winning utility known for its reliability, safety, environmental sustainability, workforce development, and system enhancement. With a legacy spanning over 125 years of successful public utility operations, Palo Alto continues to deliver safe and dependable utility services while maintaining local control over policies, utility rates, environmental initiatives, and tailored services.
CPAU prioritizes customer service, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost management. Additionally, it aligns with the City’s sustainability objectives by developing a low-carbon energy supply through renewable energy, carbon emission offsets, and programs that help customers utilize energy and water more efficiently, minimize their carbon footprints, and adopt new technologies.
Why Join Palo Alto?- Impact Critical Services: Manage 24/7 electric operations and expand our electric infrastructure, ensuring reliability for the community.
- Champion Sustainability: Spearhead clean energy initiatives, bolster resilience, and support Palo Alto’s environmental leadership in Grid Modernization and Climate Action.
- Innovate for the Future: Develop state-of-the-art engineering solutions, raise service standards, and improve customer satisfaction.
- Collaborate for Change: Partner with internal teams, stakeholders, and regional entities to deliver transformative utility projects.
- Join an award-winning team that offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package .
Who You Are?
We are seeking a leader who embodies:- Technical Expertise: Proficiency in electric systems, engineering, and electric utility distribution operations experience preferred.
- Visionary Thinking: Ability to set strategic priorities and execute innovative solutions.
- Inspirational Leadership: A talent for fostering high-performing teams and a collaborative environment.
- Customer Focus: Commitment to delivering exceptional service and solving complex challenges.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Passion for advancing clean energy and cutting-edge technology.
Your Role
As the Assistant Director of Utilities , you will:- Lead & Mentor: Build a dynamic team of engineers, technical crews, planners, and managers, fostering growth and innovation.
- Oversee Critical Operations: Administer engineering, planning, and execution of electric utility projects.
- Develop Budgets & Standards: Guide the creation of capital improvement plans and technical specifications.
- Deliver Excellence: Ensure 24/7 electric service reliability and establish metrics for efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Represent the Utilities Department in engagements with city leadership, regulatory bodies, and the community.
This position will provide support in the following areas:
Engineering - Responsible for managing all stages of CPAU's electric utility capital improvement programs, which involve offering new or upgraded services to customers, as well as City’s electric infrastructure.
Operations - Oversees the operations, maintenance, and emergency response for the electric utility.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field ( Master’s preferred).
- 8+ years of experience in utilities or a related field, with at least 5 years in management.
- Expertise in electric engineering or utility operations.
- California Electrical Engineer registration (preferred).
- Experience with regulatory compliance and capital project management.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
- The screening process for this position may include a phone interview, questionnaire, panel interview and/ final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have technical difficulties while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. For general inquiries please contact our Recruitment Team at recruit@cityofpaloalto.org or 650-329-2376.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 2/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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