Careers in the Energy Field with the State of California
The California Energy Commission employs a staff of about 500 who work as Energy Analysts (entry level), Energy Commission Specialists, Energy Facility Siting Planners, Engineers, Health and Safety Specialists, Electric Generation System Specialists, Electric Transmission System Program Specialists, Supervisors, Office Managers, and Administrative and support staff. Energy related classifications are filled with candidates with education and/or experience in energy, public policy, environmental sciences, economics, statistics, operations research, land use planning, engineering, geology, natural sciences, physical science, or a closely related energy field.
The Commission operates under the civil service system of the State of California. Hiring decisions are based on a person's eligibility on employment lists which are established through examination. For non-State employees, you MUST compete in the examination for the specific classification and be on the hiring list in the first three ranks. For existing State employees, hires can be made from the Commission's promotional lists or transfers from other state departments.
The classifications used by the Commission are described below:
- Energy Analyst: Under supervision performs work of average difficulty in a wide variety of consultative and analytical energy assignments. The Energy Analyst is the most common entry-level professional position used at the Commission.
- Energy Commission Specialist: Performs or supervises technical, professional work in energy efficiency (EFF), energy technology evaluation and development (TED), and energy forecasting (FO).
- Planner, Energy Facility Siting:Performs a wide variety of consultative, and analytical assignments, which support the commission's evaluation of applications to build new thermal power plants and related facilities, and the designation of electric transmission line corridor zones.
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Engineers: Perform a wide variety of consultative and analytical assignments. The engineers may be involved in one or more of the following:
- Develop and validate new energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.
- Review applications to construct thermal power plants and conduct hazardous materials assessment for power plants and related energy facilities.
- Participate in the review of research and development proposals and act as a member of management team for R&D projects funded by the Commission.
- Manage alternative vehicle technology and fuel infrastructure demonstration projects.
- Analyze air quality implications of California's energy and electric infrastructure for use in legislatively mandated planning reports.
- Analyze the air quality impacts of power plants proposed for licensing by the Energy Commission.
- Conduct electricity transmission infrastructure availability, reliability and efficiency assessment, develop a state electricity transmission strategic plan and participate in joint agency electricity transmission planning.
- Conduct Analyses and modeling of California's electricity system, electricity market, and power plant operation including the cost of constructing and operating all electricity generation technologies.
- Office Manager: Serves as a line program manager within a division of the Commission responsible to the Division Administrator, Executive Director and Commissioners for significant programs which constitute part of the basic mission of the Commission.
- Supervisor: Supervise and direct the work of technical staff in carrying out Energy Commission programs.
- Health and Safety Program Specialist: Incumbents in this series are subject-matter experts who have demonstrated expertise in the assessment of health and safety implications of energy resource development and utilization. Incumbents in these classes provide expert consultative services on the feasibility, impact, or potential of a variety of operations, projects or proposals to build new power plants, transmission lines, or related facilities.
- Electric Generation System Specialist: Performs complex technical and analytical work in the field of electric generation system planning and regulation.
- Electric Transmission System Program Specialist: Conducts complicated studies requiring knowledge and abilities beyond the journeyperson level which affect programs within the Commission, including the review of applications for the designation of electric transmission line corridor zones. Incumbents in this series are subject-matter experts who have demonstrated expertise in electric transmission system planning program areas.
To obtain a detailed copy of these or any other class specification please go to http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/wvpos/jobspecs.cfm. Current examinations and job vacancies are listed on the Commission's website. You may also call the Selection, Training and EEO Office at (916) 653-6532.
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