ELECTRIC GENERATION SYSTEM PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Energy Commission seeks a Senior Project Manager – Electric Generation System Program Specialist I to lead the most complex energy facility licensing and environmental review work under CEQA, developing alternatives and evaluating generation technologies for California's clean energy goals.

This remote-centered, hybrid role requires coordinating with state and federal agencies, developing alternatives, and mentoring staff to advance the state's clean energy goals.

Qualifications

• MQs for this classification are defined in the Electric Generation System Program Specialist Series.
• Education/ transcripts rules apply for using education to meet MQs.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex energy facility licensing and environmental assessments under CEQA.
• Serve as project lead; mentor staff to develop technical expertise.
• Develop work products and information that meet division objectives and mission.

Job description

Senior Project Manager
ELECTRIC GENERATION SYSTEM PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

$10,127.00 - $12,669.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/14/2026

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has exclusive authority to license thermal plants 50 MW or larger (Application for Certification or AFC), exempt certain small thermal power plants from its jurisdiction (Small Power Plant Exemption or SPPE), and certify eligible renewable energy generation and energy storage (Opt-In Certification) and Department of Water Resources energy facilities. The CEC’s Siting, Transmission, and Environmental Protection Division administers these energy facility licensing and exemption programs and prepares analyses pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act. Under the general direction of the Program and Project Supervisor, the Electric Generation System Program Specialist I (EGSPS I) performs the difficult assignments related to permitting electric generating and other facilities; provides technical leadership in the planning and implementation of the CEC’s power plant licensing programs; develops and analyzes alternatives to current generation methods, evaluates new generation technologies and their environmental consequences to meet the state’s clean energy goals. The incumbent serves as a senior project manager and subject matter expert with a high degree of knowledge, skill, and expertise beyond the journey level, performing duties not assigned to an Electric Generation System Specialist I on a regular basis, managing the most complex technical assessments of new energy facilities and fosters governmental and private sector collaboration. The incumbent works with staff to develop work products and information that are accurate, objective, timely, and useful in meeting division objectives and the CEC’s mission. The incumbent may serve as a project lead over other technical and analytic staff and provide coaching and mentoring to staff to develop technical and organizational expertise.

Working Conditions

The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office-based and remote-centered workers. Limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location.

Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date.

Minimum Requirements

• ELECTRIC GENERATION SYSTEM PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at Electric Generation System Program Specialist Series. The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.

Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Cover Letter – Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.
• Statement of Qualifications - Include an SOQ that answers the questions below. Your SOQ should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced, with no smaller than 12-point font. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. Visit How to Write a Statement of Qualifications for instructions. 1) Describe your experience and working understanding of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other relevant laws for the protection of air and water quality and other environmental resources, and public health and safety. 2) Discuss your experience working with local, state and federal agencies, tribes, and community members. 3) Describe your experience writing and editing technical documents. 4) Describe your experience applying project management, principles, and tools.

Desirable Qualifications

• 1) Ability to work well as part of a team and perform independent tasks that contribute towards shared goals.
• 2) Ability to assume a lead position in a team environment.
• 3) Ability to effectively write and edit technical information.
• 4) Experience managing projects, including the ability to create project plans and schedules, prioritize conflicting deliverables, and meet deadlines.
• 5) Ability to track progress and apply project management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• 6) Ability to communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• 7) Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills, with experience interfacing with internal staff, external stakeholders, and agencies.
• 8) Knowledge and experience working with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or conducting environmental reviews for complex projects.
• 9) Knowledge of California Public Resources Code pertaining to energy conservation and development; design and operation of electrical generating and storage facilities, advanced electrical generating technologies; environmental aspects of various fuel types; and environmental consequences of generation and storage facility construction and operation.
• 10) Knowledge of California’s energy policy and climate goals.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Contact
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.