Power Company Manager

The City of Pittsburg, CA is seeking an experienced and dynamic Power Company Manager to support the Executive Director and Director of Community and Economic Development in managing and directing the Pittsburg Power Company and Island Energy. This role is responsible for overseeing daily operations, developing strategic goals, managing contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving business development opportunities. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with strong knowledge of energy utilities, regulatory compliance, contract management, and business development. They should possess excellent leadership, problem-solving, and financial management skills, with the ability to drive innovation and operational efficiency. This is an at-will position that provides complex staff assistance to the Executive Director or designee.

Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in the following:

• Extensive experience in energy utility operations, public power, or municipal energy systems.
• Proven ability to manage contracts, budgets, compliance programs, and large-scale projects.
• Strong leadership and personnel management skills, with experience in staff supervision and development.
• Knowledge of government regulations and industry best practices in energy utilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and the public.
• Familiarity with PHMSA-DOT regulations and compliance programs.

About Pittsburg Power Company
The Pittsburg Power Company (PPC) is a California municipal Joint Powers Agency (“JPA”) established in1997 between the City of Pittsburg and the City’s Redevelopment Agency.  PPC operates and does business in two separate locations:
1. Within the City of Pittsburg, developing and supporting projects that will retain existing businesses and attract new business developments. PPC has partnered with private enterprises to develop over $2 billion of energy and industrial projects in Pittsburg since its creation in 1996.
2. PPC manages the electric distribution and natural gas utility systems on Mare Island, Vallejo. PPC acquired the electric and gas utility distribution franchise from the US Navy in 1997. Since inception, PPC has performed these utility distribution services on Mare Island under the common name “Island Energy”.  Currently, PPC is advancing several energy project developments within the City of Pittsburg, including supplying utility services to a data center project. PPC staff continues to support the evaluation of renewable and alternative energy projects such as solar and fuel cells to lower City of Pittsburg’s facilities annual electricity costs.

Service Levels Include:

• Develop opportunities between PPC, Island Energy, the City, the community, businesses, and industries on potential business interest in energy development projects.
• Pursue service delivery of new electric load within the City of Pittsburg through strategic transmission and distribution systems interconnects.
• Review new business opportunities that become available to PPC through legislative changes and/or technical advances in the gas and electric industry.
• Collaborate between and with various power and related energy agencies, regulatory groups, and other public and private organizations.
• Modernization of the electric distribution system on Mare Island, including the completion and implementation of digitized ArcGIS mapping and preparing for SCADA monitoring implementation.
• Continue providing effective and reliable electric and gas utility services to Mare Island commercial and residential customers.

About Pittsburg
The City of Pittsburg is a culturally rich and diverse community of over 72,000 residents and expected to grow to 90,000 in the next 20 years.  Pittsburg is located in Northern California in the Bay Area Region and is perfectly situated for easy access to the greater Bay Area, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sacramento, and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe.  Pittsburg City Hall is also conveniently located a short walk from the Pittsburg Center Station for the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), making a commute from cities throughout the Bay Area very easy.  Pittsburg has waterfront homes, a performing arts theater, a variety of seasonal events, an extensive park system, a large public-school system, and a variety of shopping centers.  It also offers extensive recreational facilities, including one of the California Delta's largest and most modern marinas.  With its commitment to a quality community environment, Pittsburg is an ideal city in which to live, work and recreate.

The City of Pittsburg is a full-service city following the council-manager form of government. We have about 270 full time employees and about 350 employees total (depending on the season).  Pittsburg is currently organized into the following departments: City Management, Community Development (Building, Engineering, and Planning), Community Services (Housing Authority, Pittsburg Power Company, and the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency), Economic Development and Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, Police, and Public Works (Operations/Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, Parks, and Water Treatment). Fire Protection services are provided by the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Department.

Benefits for regular employees include CALPERS retirement, medical/dental insurance, paid life insurance, retirement health saving account, deferred compensation plan with employer match, paid time off, incentive pay, tuition reimbursement, wellness activities, employee assistance program, and employee development courses.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Executive Director/Director of Community and Economic Development in managing and directing the Pittsburg Power Company and Island Energy.
• Assist in developing department goals and objectives; assist in the development of and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Power Company and Island Energy work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, procedures, and policies. 
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Prepare operation and maintenance schedules, billing, and generally assign personnel; review work of subordinates during progress and upon completion; process utility applications for electric and gas services.
• Manage associated contracts and funding for the Pittsburg Power Company and Island Energy; provide administration of natural gas and electricity purchasing contracts; negotiate with the businesses and local municipalities on necessary agreements. 
• Pursue Pittsburg Power Company business development opportunities, including but not limited to, new service loads throughout the state of California.
• Provide general direction for all work related to the design, engineering, construction, maintenance and operation of Island Energy facilities; negotiate and administer contracts; review and approve engineering designs; maintain GIS systems; and the analysis and establishment of electricity and gas rates. 
• Network and monitor technical developments and legislative action in the gas and electric utility field; evaluate their impact on the utility and make recommendations and implement changes to business plans, policies, and procedures. 
• Monitor rates and budgets throughout the year; monitor and approve expenditures; negotiate agreements for various power-related services.
• Review new business opportunities that become available to the Pittsburg Power Company.
• Review legislative changes and technical advances in the gas or electric industry. 
• Coordinate and oversee the Pittsburg Power Company’s work plan and safety compliance administration through appropriate staff and consultants; assign work activities and responsibility to appropriate personnel; review and evaluate work methods and procedures. 
• Prepare and present administrative reports, resolutions and board reports for Pittsburg Power Company Board meetings; research and prepare other technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Assure coordination of Pittsburg Power Company activities with other private and public sector agencies through participation on task forces and committees; identify partnering opportunities for various programs; negotiate agreements and contracts. 
• Present, justify and defend departmental programs, operations and activities; negotiate and resolve controversial program issues.
• Prepare the Power Company and Island Energy budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administer the approved budget; make adjustments to the budget as is necessary.
• Represent the division and department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary; respond to and resolve sensitive and complex community and organizational inquiries and complaints.
• Acts as Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA-DOT) Compliance Officer.  
• Maintain operations and maintenance plan, operator qualification plan, and anti-drug and alcohol plan.
• Represent the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public. 
• Foster an environment that embraces integrity, service, inclusion and collaboration.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

 Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and legal requirements of electric and gas utility services; federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to utility programs.
• Financial reporting; budget preparation and administration; cost control and revenue forecasting techniques; statistical and research methods.
• GIS, complex principles and practices of public utilities.
• Management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs and implementation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety work practices. 
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment including relevant software programs.
• Oral and written communication skills; business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of excellent customer service.

Ability to:

• Organize and direct Pittsburg Power Company and Island Energy operations, ensuring compliance with City policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations. 
• Identify appropriate methods to provide effective and efficient utility services.
• Develop and administer sound departmental goals, objectives, policies and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels.
• Prepare financial and statistical analyses, development contracts, demographic studies; evaluate alternatives and implement sound solutions.
• Make adjustments to standard operating procedures as necessary to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Interpret and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Supervise, train and evaluate personnel.
• Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality with sensitive information, records, and reports. 
• Read, write and comprehend the English language at a level necessary for effective job performance exercising correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Communicate effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form.
• Operate and use modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities. 
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.  
• Contribute effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives and activities.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Possession of the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, economics, engineering, urban and regional planning, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. Possession of a master’s degree is desirable.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible experience in utility programs or services, including three years of administrative and management responsibility.

Special Requirements:

Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license is required.

FLSA: Exempt

To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity in a growing and innovative utility company, please submit an abbreviated online application with a cover letter and resume at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pittsburg. Resumes should reflect years and months of employment, positions held, as well as size of staff and projects you have managed. Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this brochure and the online job posting. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews with key City staff. Extensive reference and background checks will be completed on the selected candidate.

The final filing date for this recruitment is April 18, 2025.

The City of Pittsburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.  The City of Pittsburg Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the process must inform the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

Salary : $158,472 - $192,624