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.

Desirable QualificationsIn addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

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.