Compliance Specialist

Energy Department - City of San Jose; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,151 - 143,423; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is seeking a Compliance Specialist in the Regulatory Compliance & Policy Division to oversee energy-related procurement, programs, load forecasting, and compliance reporting.

The role requires drafting California state energy compliance reports, coordinating with regulators, and advising internal teams on regulatory matters. Hybrid work schedule; strong communication and planning skills essential.

Qualifications

• Drafting California state energy-related compliance reports for a load-serving entity.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, able to plan to meet deadlines while handling multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory compliance efforts, including independent and collaborative work.
• Map out and manage state energy-related compliance requirements and deadlines.
• Serve as the point of contact for regulatory compliance, standards, and regulations.
• Design operating protocols to ensure adherence to processes and continuous improvements.
• Assist with policy research and development to stay current with regulatory trends.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Policy analysis

Project coordination

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is San José’s local, not-for-profit electricity supplier operated by the City of San José’s Energy Department. Since 2019, our dedicated and motivated team has provided clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while also offering community programs, local benefits, and increased transparency and accessibility. SJCE serves more than 350,000 customer accounts, and has contracted for more than 1 GW of power.

Joining our team means that you will be making a big impact on the fight against climate change. SJCE plays an important role in meeting San José’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in implementing the City’s climate action plan, Climate Smart San José. Thanks to SJCE, San Jose has one of the cleanest energy mixes of any large city and offers a 62% renewable product and a 100% renewable product.

Serving our community with respect and integrity is at the core of what we do. We center equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in our work. The department also hosts active staff-led Culture and Racial Equity committees, and has won awards for its education and outreach work with Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking communities.

For more information about San José Clean Energy, please visit: www.sanjosecleanenergy.org.

Position Duties

This department is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Compliance Specialist (Power Resources Specialist I/II) to support the Regulatory Compliance & Policy Division.

The Compliance Specialist for San José Clean Energy will oversee energy-related procurement, programs, load forecasting, and similar compliance reporting, respond to internal and external requests for data, and maintain a deep understanding of the compliance aspects of items such as Integrated Resource Planning, Mid-Term Reliability procurement mandates, Renewable Portfolio Standards reporting, and Resource Adequacy compliance. The Compliance Specialist will submit timely compliance reports, ensure meetings with regulators are noticed properly, carefully track deadlines, lead project-based teams, and advise various divisions on compliance and regulatory matters.

Key Duties

• Lead regulatory compliance efforts, which will include some individual and some collaborative work.
• Map out and manage state energy-related compliance requirements, keeping staff aware of upcoming deadlines and potential challenges.
• Serve as the point of contact for regulatory compliance, standards, and regulations.
• Anticipate emerging compliance needs and monitor regulatory proceedings for changing policy and compliance requirements.
• Design operating protocols to ensure SJCE adheres to processes aligned with our goals and allows for continuous improvements.
• Assist with policy research and development to maintain current knowledge of regulatory trends and changes to future market conditions.
• Ensure all compliance filings, ex parte notices, data requests, and similar items are properly and formally submitted.
• Collaborate internally and with other CCAs on various procurement compliance efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in drafting California state energy-related compliance reports for a load serving entity. This person is detail-oriented and well-organized, adept in planning to meet deadlines while working on multiple projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate is also skilled in communicating technical information to lay audiences and experienced in working across disciplines.

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise– Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Analytical Thinking - Approaches problems or situations using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Communication Skills– Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Project management - Ensures support for and drives projects, implements goals towards strategic objectives.

Strategic thinking - Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization’s vision and values; understands how an organization must change in light of internal and external trends and influences; builds a shared vision with others and influences others to translate vision to action.

Salary Information

Power Resources Specialist I is $108,151.68 - $131,826.24.

Power Resources Specialist II is $117,717.60 - $143,423.28.

Minimum Qualifications

Power Resources Specialist I

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or an analytical degree related to utility business.

Experience:
None

Power Resources Specialist II

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Law, Natural Resources, Statistics, or an analytical degree related to utility business.

Experience:
One (1) year of experience in energy resources operations, planning, purchasing, scheduling, or contract negotiations.

Licenses or Certificates:
Possession of a valid State of California Driver’s license may be required.

Form 700 Requirement:
This position required a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

THIS IS A HYBRID POSITION, REQUIRING PART OF THE WORK WEEK TO BE ONSITE IN THE DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE OFFICE. The hybrid work schedule may change due to the department’s business needs in the future.

Other Qualifications

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application, cover letter and resume, and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

To be considered for this vacancy, candidates must answer all job-specific questions and complete all sections in the on-line application (including education and work experience); otherwise, applications will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

E-mail will be the default method of correspondence with applicants. To ensure that you receive timely notifications regarding your application status for this recruitment, please enter a valid e-mail address when submitting your application.

This position will remain open until filled. The first application review will occur the week of August 17, 2026; therefore, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

If you have questions about the duties of this position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Vanessa Rojas via email at [e-mail].

Additional Information

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [e-mail] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.