Electric Utility Information Technology Systems Specialist

Description

The Position:

Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Clara’s Electric Utility, is seeking two (2) skilled and customer-focused Information Technology Systems Specialists to support the utility’s end-user computing environment.

This position is part of SVP’s Systems Support Group (SSG) - the technology backbone of the utility - which provides reliable, high-quality technical support and systems management for SVP’s staff and operations. As a growing division, SSG supports a broad range of technology projects and modernization initiatives, including those driven by the unprecedented growth in the utility’s service area.

The Information Technology Systems Specialist plays a key role in help desk and deskside support operations, providing timely and effective technical assistance to end users. Core responsibilities include diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and connectivity issues; performing system deployments, imaging, and upgrades; managing user accounts and access; and maintaining comprehensive technical documentation. Additional duties include helpdesk management, application packaging, patch management, group policy administration, software installation and licensing, VOIP and telephony support, VPN/RDP connectivity, and ensuring the overall reliability and security of end-user devices and systems.

The ideal candidates will demonstrate strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. This position also participates in an on-call and after-hours support rotation, providing critical technical support and ensuring the availability of key systems during emergencies or planned maintenance activities.

The City:

The City of Santa Clara is a "full service" city - one of only a few communities in the Bay Area that has its own police, fire, library, recreation, and electric, water, and sewer utilities, as well as all of the other departments and civic amenities expected in a thriving community. Santa Clara is a family-oriented and business-friendly city, led by a city government that has developed an award-winning ethics program and a commitment to fostering public trust. Located in Santa Clara County at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay, about 45 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Clara is a strategic regional hub, convenient to freeways, airports, railroads, expressways, light rail, and other public transportation.

The Department:

As a community owned, not-for-profit municipal electric utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) has been providing dependable electric service to the City of Santa Clara residents and businesses since 1896. SVP is the only full service, vertically integrated publicly owned utility in Silicon Valley owning generation, transmission and distribution assets. Silicon Valley Power is not driven by profits, as reflected in its significantly lower utility rates when compared to other private sector utilities. Silicon Valley Power is dedicated to our community, customers, and employees. SVP provides safe reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services with exceptional customer focus.

Today, SVP owns, operates and participates in more than 2,000 MW of electric generating resources delivering 4,800 GWh of electricity. SVP's expansion plan will double our system capacity over the next ten 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

Additional Information:

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Complete City Application, 2) Resume, and 3) Supplemental Questions. A cover letter is encouraged but not required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov . Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.

The annual salary range for this position is $122,040.48 - $155,706.48. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• A Bachelor's Degree from a college or university with major work in computer science, software engineering, technology hardware, or a related field; and
• One (1) year of programming experience in one or more high level structured program languages, networking, and/or operating systems management.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTION
Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education, up to a maximum of four (4) years.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
None.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience working with municipal utilities or in a telecommunications environment;
• Possession of advanced computing, computer technician, and/or cybersecurity certificates, such as A+, Security +, etc.);
• Experience with Operating Systems (such as Windows, Apple OSX, and iOS, Linux, etc.) and Microsoft 365 or other cloud-based platform; and
• Experience with virtualization software (such as VMWare and Hyper-V).

When assigned to the Electric Utility Operations Division, in addition to the above:
• Experience with Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), microprocessor-based relays, and the Distributed Network Protocol (DNP); and
• Experience using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• May be required to work unusual hours and weekends in the performance of their duties and be available on an "on call" basis.
• Incumbents will be required to pass initial and periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State and/or industry security requirements.
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran’s Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov .

City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8
Employees Association

This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8 employees in 2025. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.
Retirement:

• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Classic Employees: 2.7% @ age 55 formula - employee pays 8.00% of gross pay, minus $61 bi-weekly
  • New Employees: 2.0% @ age 62 formula - employee pays 7.00% of gross pay
• Medicare and Social Security (FICA)
  • Employee pays 6.20% up to $10,918.20 (Social Security) and 1.45% (Medicare) of gross pay

Health Insurance:

• The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents plan
• Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
• No cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution
• To be eligible for the City’s contribution toward health, employees must be on a paid status for at least 80 hours in the month prior to the month of coverage
• The City’s contribution is prorated based on scheduled hours for part time employees
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
• Employees hired on or after 1/1/2022 who opt-out of City-offered health insurance and provide annual attestation and acceptable proof of alternative required coverage for themselves and their tax family, if applicable, are eligible for a cash-in-lieu amount of $250/month. Contact Human Resources for more details

Dental Insurance:

• Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Vision Insurance:

• Choice of two VSP plans
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA):

• City contributes $50.00 a month toward employee's VEBA account
• Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)

Life Insurance:

• City pays for $15,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
• Additional optional insurance may be purchased by the employee for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children

State Disability Insurance (SDI):

• Employee pays 1.2% of gross pay (includes Paid Family Leave)
• 7 day waiting period. Weekly paid leave for absences due to non-work related injuries/illnesses. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Paid Family Leave (PFL):

• Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period to care for a family member or to bond with a new child
• No waiting period. Weekly paid leave benefit. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance:

• Benefit is 2/3 of basic wage up to $7,500; max of $5,000/month
• City pays $.558/$100 of insured earnings
• 30 calendar day waiting period
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment

Deferred Compensation:

• Voluntary plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions
• Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan):

• Employee may contribute up to $3,300 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $5,000 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $325 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan

Vacation:

• Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service
  • For 1 - 4 years of service: 10 days (80 hours)/year
  • For 5 - 9 years of service: 15 days (120 hours)/year
  • For 10 - 15 years of service: 21 days (168 hours)/year
  • For 16 - 20 years of service: 22 days (176 hours)/year
  • For 21+ years of service: 24 days (192 hours)/year
• Maximum vacation accrual is 420 hours
• Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 40 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out the following calendar year

Sick Leave:

• Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours per calendar year with no maximum accrual
  • Up to 48 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness
  • Up to 40 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for personal leave
• Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per calendar year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)
• Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service

Non-Management Leave:

• 40hours of non-management leave credited to employees each January 1st
  • New employees hired between January 1st and June 30th receive 40 hours of non-management leave their first year
  • New employees hired between July 1st and December 31st receive 20 hours of non-management leave their first year
  • Unused non-management leave may not be carried over from one calendar year to the next

Compensatory Time Off (CTO):

• Employees may accrue CTO in lieu of overtime hours (maximum accrual is set by department)
• 16 hours of CTO is credited to employees each January 1st (prorated if hired after January 1st)

Holidays:

• Seventeen paid eight-hour holidays per year (13 & 4 holidays between 12/25 to 1/1 of following year)

Reimbursements/Allowances (for specific classifications):

• Raingear: $150 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
• Safety Boots: $275 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
• Walking Shoes: $120 per fiscal year for eligible classifications (See MOU for details)
• Tools: $500 per fiscal year reimbursement for Auto Foreperson classification
• Phone allowance of $80/month for Senior Key Customer Representative(s) and Key Customer Representative(s) job classifications

Bilingual Pay:

• Certified bilingual employees are eligible for $55/bi-weekly bilingual pay

Night Differential Pay:

• Librarians and library support employees whose regular assignments are to City libraries are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
• All other employees are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Standby Pay:

• Employees in the classification of Electric Utility Programmer Analyst, Electric Utility Network Administrator, and Senior Energy Systems Analyst are eligible for standby pay of $100/week when assigned to work standby

Tuition Reimbursement Program:

• Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program:

• Confidential counseling to employees and dependents. Up to maximum of five (5) consultations per family member per incident per year
• City paid benefit

Retiree Medical Reimbursement Program:

• Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.
• Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $425/month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)
• After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $254/month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/2025 4:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Santa Clara

• 408-615-2080

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