City of Pasadena, CA

The City of Pasadena’s Water and Power Department is seeking a dynamic and experienced Power Engineering Manager to oversee its innovative Power Delivery – Engineering team. This is an exciting opportunity for a results-driven professional with a deep commitment to public service and a strong background in electric utility engineering. As the Power Engineering Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping the future of Pasadena’s power infrastructure. The Power Engineering Manager will oversee all capital improvement projects for the Power Delivery Division—from developing budgets to implementing work plans—ensuring the successful execution of water and power-related initiatives. This position reports into the Assistant General Manager- Power Delivery.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for Power Engineering Manager position is a proven leader with extensive experience in electric utility engineering, preferably within a public agency. The candidate should possess strong project and budget management skills, with a track record of delivering complex capital improvement projects that align with system reliability, growth, and regulatory goals. The candidate must be an effective communicator, capable of building collaborative relationships across departments and translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences. A team oriented and approachable professional, the ideal candidate must be able to mentor and motivate staff, prioritize division work, and respond promptly to customer and organizational needs. Familiarity with NERC and CPUC regulations is essential, along with the ability to develop strategic plans and ensure regulatory compliance across engineering operations.

To learn more about the Pasadena Water and Power Department click here.

Essential Functions

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. See Job Description for more detailed information.

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the Power Delivery Engineering section; supervises and participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
• Participates in the formulation and implementation of departmental strategic plans, goals and objectives to achieve the City’s and department’s strategic plan.
• Prepares and monitors short- and long-term Capital Improvement Programs and associated budgets.
• Prepares and monitors the division's operating budget.
• Leads and directs staff and outside consulting resources in the development and application of new methods and processes to achieve higher efficiency, productivity and customer service in department work processes.
• Manages the performance of staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; hears and makes recommendations on second-level grievances; subject to management concurrence, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with City human resources policies and labor contract agreements.
• Plans, organizes, manages and evaluates the work of the Power Delivery Engineering Section including groups responsible for electric service planning, electrical underground vaults and system retrofits, substation design and SCADA system; contributes to the development of and performance against the annual department and divisional budgets.
• Manages the development of complex engineering design and construction packages based on technical and economic feasibility of projects; prepares major project financing plans; confers and coordinates work with other divisions, departments, contractors, advisory bodies and utilities to meet objectives and operational plans; develops project priorities and schedules operational activities; monitors progress and makes adjustments to the projects as necessary; identifies and analyzes deviations from plans and recommends solutions.
• Develops and directs systems and procedures for contract administration to ensure compliance with technical and legal requirements; oversees preparation of bid documents; selects consultants and contractors; prepares contract documents and specifications; prepares estimates of costs and time requirements; reviews and approves plans, specifications and reports; ensures contractor compliance; approves payments and change orders.
• Directs and manages timely and cost-effective procurement of high voltage equipment and materials to meet projected needs for construction, on-going operations and maintenance as well as potential emergency requirements.
• Oversees monitoring, investigation, analysis and response to power delivery system issues and equipment malfunctions or failures to identify short- and long-term engineering issues and concerns and capital improvement project priorities.
• Prepares and reviews the Power Delivery Division’s City Council and Municipal Services Committee meeting agenda reports and presentations.
• Attends meetings and makes presentations to various elected and appointed bodies and community organizations and officials, including the City Council and Municipal Services Committee.
• Responds to data requests and audits by state and federal regulatory agencies; participates in industry related committees regarding electrical system reliability, safety and regulatory compliance.
• May act for an Assistant General Manager, Water and Power in the event of that individual’s absence.

Qualification Guidelines

COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in the position.

• Leadership- Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.
• Decision Making- Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Professional and Technical Expertise- Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Innovation- Imagining and devising new and better ways of doing things.
• Customer Focus- Attending to the needs and expectation of customers.
• Organizational Systems Thinking- Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions.
• Written/ Oral Communication- Engaging effectively in both writing and dialogue.
• Presentation Skills- Formally delivering information to groups.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline AND
• At least (10) ten years of progressively responsible electrical engineering experience, at least (2) two years of which were at the level of the City's Principal Electrical Engineer class; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

The following are highly desirable/preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, or Public Administration.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may consist of any combination of training and experience evaluation, structured interview panel, and department-level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Water and Power department, Power Delivery Division. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

PROBATIONARY WORK TEST PERIOD = One Year

FLSA = Exempt

UNIT= PMA

Special Requirements

Must have or obtain a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

A certificate of registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer issued by the California State Licensing Board.

Professional Electrical Engineer certificate from another state, or Canada, that can be reciprocated within (6) six months is also acceptable.

Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.

Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.

All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.

Click link below to review the City's excellent benefits package https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/human-resources/employee-benefits/

The City is closed on alternate Fridays and most staff observe a 9/80 work schedule.