Description

The Pasadena Water and Power Department is seeking a highly qualified energy resource planning professional to provide technical guidance, direction and/or supervision to lower-level power resource planning professionals and consultants. 

If you're a highly driven professional that is interested in shaping long-term energy strategy and managing complex, high-impact power resource decisions, this is your opportunity. Apply Now!

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for Principal Power Resource Planner is a strategic, results-oriented professional with extensive experience in energy markets and a strong understanding of federal and state regulatory requirements. They demonstrate the ability to perform highly complex analysis and apply sound judgment in developing and managing energy resource contracts that carry significant financial risk and long-term impact to the department and the City.

The successful candidate communicates effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including counterparties, regulators, customers, and department staff, and builds productive working relationships through collaboration and teamwork. They bring a strong decision-making ability, maintain a strategic perspective in a dynamic environment, and consistently deliver results while navigating competing priorities.

This is a great opportunity to work with a dynamic group of utility professionals. To learn more about the Pasadena Water and Power Department click here.

Essential Functions:
The major responsibilities for the Principal Power Resource Planner are listed below. For more detailed information, please see the job description. 

• Performs highly complex analysis through a production cost modeling software and participates in developing, managing and updating the department's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP); participates, develops strategic plans.
• Negotiates and participates in implementation and administration of short- and long-term contracts for power, natural gas, fuel transportation, renewables, transmission, and related attributes.
• Analyzes contract terms and conditions, such as price and volume, credit issues, contractual obligations relating to minimum deliveries and contract performance requirements for their favorability to Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) operations and for compliance with California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market requirements and other applicable local, state, and federal compliance requirements.
• Prepares reports, recommendations and presentations to department management and to the City Council and its committees.
• Analyzes market data, price trends and forecasts to develop assumptions and scenarios and evaluate potential resource acquisition and development opportunities.
• Evaluates alternative plans and projects and recommends whether they are practical and beneficial; Studies and makes recommendations on the impact of regulatory/legislative mandates, changing market conditions and CAISO operational procedures on planning scenarios and long-term resource portfolio strategies.
• Participates in various public and stakeholder meetings throughout the year applicable to development and management of the IRP. May occasionally be required to work extended hours to attend official meetings. Assists in managing the department's resource portfolio; conducts analysis to ensure compliance with various standards.  
• Analyzes, documents, interprets and evaluates legislative and regulatory changes impacting energy generation, fuel procurement, power transmission and distribution, renewables, wholesale operations, energy trading, emissions reporting and settlement processes and related environmental issues.
  Participates in producing summaries, drafting position papers, correspondence and testimony and preparing revisions to legislation and regulation consistent with the City's and department's interests.
• Works closely with other divisions to ensure compliance with the California Energy Commission (CEC) Integrated Energy Policy Report, CAISO Resource Adequacy and Reliability Requirements, NERC Reliability Requirements, CARB Low Carbon Fuel Standards Requirements, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Prepares documentation for the department's annual compliance review. In addition, the Principal Resource Planner will be required to regularly prepare regulatory filings and compliance reports and submit them to various regulatory entities in conformance with established deadlines.
• Stays abreast of emerging trends and advancements in energy production and distribution technology, legislative and environmental frameworks and the power and gas energy markets; evaluates the impact of market changes of department operations; prepares reports and recommendations to management on strategies for responding to changes; attends and presents at conferences and industry events. This would include regular participation in various industry groups, such as the Southern California Public Power Authority, Transmission Engineering and Operating Committee meetings, etc., and providing summaries and feedback.

Requirements

Qualification Guidelines:
The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position:

• Teamwork - Ability to collaborate with others to achieve shared goals.
• Communication Skills - Effectively and proactively obtain and share information through different modes of communication with different groups.
• Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectation of customers.
• Project Management - Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data - Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• Critical Thinking - Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims. 
• Decision Making - Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Fact Finding - Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.
• Industry Monitoring - Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry.
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation - Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Using Technology- Working with electronic hardware and software applications.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in economics, finance, business, law, engineering or another relevant field.
• At least (5) five years of progressively responsible experience in power resource planning in the CAISO or other Regional Transmission Organization markets.
• A master's degree in a relevant field is desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

• The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, a subject matter expert review, oral interview panel, and/or a department level interview.

VACANCY INFORMATION

• There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Power Supply Division in the Water and Power Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill these vacancies and similar vacancies in the future.
• Probationary work period is (1) one year.

Upon the successful completion of the probationary period, this position may be eligible to participate in the Water & Power Department’s Hybrid Work Program, which permits a portion of the employee’s work to be performed remotely, in accordance with the City’s overall Hybrid Work policy.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.