Utility Planner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $193,229.28 - $246,413.52 Annually
Location : 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 17-26-428
Department: Electric Utility
Opening Date: 02/19/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 4
Weighting Plan: 100% Oral
Description
The Department:
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) currently provides over 40 percent of Santa Clara's electricity from carbon-free renewable resources. In addition to using green energy from large-scale wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric projects outside of the area, SVP employs innovative ways to locally produce electricity by capturing and burning methane gas from a closed city landfill and using power from solar generating systems on city-owned garages and vacant, unusable land. It is the mission of SVP to be a progressive, service-oriented utility, offering reliable, competitively priced services for the benefit of Santa Clara and its customers. Being competitive in the marketplace with a continuous focus on customer service, SVP can provide economic value to the City of Santa Clara and its customers while maintaining low residential rates and offering competitive rates for all customers.
The Position:
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is seeking dynamic, engaging and qualified engineers for several vacant Electric Utility Engineer positions in various divisions.
For SVP Operations Division, this position will be assigned engineering work associated with communication and electrical power engineering. This individual will assist with the programming of industrial multiplexer networks. The individual should have a strong interest in industrial high-speed data networking.
For SVP Engineering and CIP projects Division, this position will be assigned engineering work associated with electrical power engineering, substation design and Transmission and distribution systems. The individual may manage or will assist in managing Capital improvement Projects (CIP) to support growth of the electric utility. The candidates should have strong background and interest in electric systems.
For System Planning and Asset Management Division, this position will be assigned to perform and maintain distribution system model, participate in integrated SVP system planning and other SVP groups to deliver distribution system results and reports, identify and implement projects that are necessary to support load growth and improve reliability of the distribution system. This position will work closely with customer/developers on their projects, will coordinate with various City departments and support SVP's field and operation staff as necessary.
Additional Information:
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write "see resume, NA, or personnel file."). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at This position is open until filled: Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE. 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.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR POSITIONS ADHERING TO ALL APPLICABLE CITY POLICIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CMD 033- EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.
The annual salary range for this position is $185,797.44 - $236,936.04. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with:
  a) Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and two (2) years experience doing electric utility engineering work,

or
b) Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and three (3) years experience doing electric utility engineering work and experience using AutoCAD and Microsoft office (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Mathlab)
Acceptable Substitution:

• A Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of experience

• An Engineer-in-Training Certification with ten (10) years of experience in electric utility engineering work can be substituted for the degree in engineering and the required experience indicated above

License/Certifications:
Possession of an appropriate, valid Class C California driver's license is required at time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
Desirable Qualifications:

• Registration as an Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineer in the State of California
• Experience using ESRI based Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Experience using system modeling and load flow software; Aspen one-liner software, GE PSLF, and DEW ISM

Special Conditions:
May work unusual hours in emergency situations, or while acting as supervisor, or at other than the regular job site.
Other Requirements:
Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or
City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #4
Professional Engineers
This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #4 employees in 2026. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.
Retirement:

• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Classic Employees: 2.7% @ age 55 formula - employee pays 8.00% of gross pay, minus $61 bi-weekly
  • New Employees: 2.0% @ age 62 formula - employee pays 7.00% of gross pay
• Medicare and Social Security (FICA)
  • Employee pays 6.20% up to $11,439 (Social Security) and 1.45% (Medicare) of gross pay

Health Insurance:

• The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents plan
• Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
• No cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution
• To be eligible for the City's contribution toward health, employees must be on a paid status for at least 80 hours in the month prior to the month of coverage
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
• Employees hired on or after 1/1/2024 who opt-out of City-offered health insurance and provide annual attestation and acceptable proof of alternative required coverage for themselves and their tax family, if applicable, are eligible for a cash-in-lieu amount of $250/month. Contact Human Resources for more details

Dental Insurance:

• Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Vision Insurance:

• Choice of two VSP plans
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA):

• City contributes $50.00 a month toward employee's VEBA account
• Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)

Life Insurance:

• City pays for 1x annual salary up to $250,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
• Additional optional insurance may be purchased by the employee for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children

State Disability Insurance (SDI):

• Employee pays 1.3% of gross pay (includes Paid Family Leave)
• 7 day waiting period. Weekly paid leave for absences due to non-work related injuries/illnesses. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Paid Family Leave (PFL):

• Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period to care for a family member or to bond with a new child
• No waiting period. Weekly paid leave benefit. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance:

• Benefit is 60% of basic wage up to $13,333; max $8,000/month
• City paid benefit. City pays $.207/$100 of insured earnings
• 60 calendar day waiting period
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment

Deferred Compensation:

• Voluntary plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions
• Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules
• Additionally, the City contributes $330.00 a month toward the employee's 457(b) account. This dollar amount will factor into the above mentioned IRS rules and limits

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan):

• Employee may contribute up to $3,400 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $7,500 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $340 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan

Vacation:

• Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service
  • For 1 - 4 years of service: 10 days (80 hours)/year
  • For 5 - 9 years of service: 15 days (120 hours)/year
  • For 10 - 15 years of service: 21 days (168 hours)/year
  • For 16 - 20 years of service: 22 days (176 hours)/year
  • For 21+ years of service: 24 days (192 hours)/year
• Maximum vacation accrual is 400 hours
• Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 60 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out the following calendar year

Sick Leave:

• Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours per calendar year with no maximum accrual
  • Up to 48 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness
  • Up to 32 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for personal leave
• Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per calendar year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)
• Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service

Compensatory Time Off (CTO):

• Employees may accrue CTO in lieu of overtime hours up to a maximum of 240 hours
• 16 hours of PCTO is credited to employees each January 1st (prorated if hired after January 1st)

Holidays:

• Seventeen paid eight-hour holidays per year (13 & 4 holidays between 12/25 to 1/1 of