Job Posting: Energy Sustainability Technical Lead

California Energy Commission

JC-535819
-
Energy Sustainability Technical Lead
SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

$11,427.00 - $14,298.00 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: 10/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

Pending DOF Approval.

Under the general direction of the Branch Manager of the Sustainability and Resilience Branch within the Energy Research and Development Division (ERDD), the Energy Sustainability Technical Lead will perform challenging mechanical engineering work and provide technical leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) research, development, demonstration, and deployment and other activities focused on energy-related research on climate risk management; energy sector resilience; energy-system impacts to public health and the environment; methane emissions; and the energy system transition to meet state energy goals. In addition, the Energy Sustainability Technical Lead will represent the division and the CEC before various state and federal agencies, the Legislature, companies, research organizations, communities, and other parties. The Energy Sustainability Technical Lead will serve as a subject matter expert on policy, technology, market, and strategic issues; inform decisionmakers on strategies for achieving the state’s energy goals; and foster governmental and private sector collaboration.

The ERDD deploys over $200 million annually to advance new scientific approaches and technology innovations to meet the state’s clean energy and climate change policies, including but not limited to the areas of renewable energy supply, building and industrial decarbonization, sustainable transportation, energy storage, energy distribution, resilience and reliability, and carbon management. The Sustainability and Resilience Branch invests in projects and applied research that increase community energy resilience and reliability, accelerate food production decarbonization, and support California's transition to a climate-resilient, equitable, and sustainable zero-carbon energy system.

Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at CalHR. 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.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at CEC Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

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

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-535819
Position #(s):
535-360-3579-001
Working Title:
Energy Sustainability Technical Lead
Classification:
SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER
$11,427.00 - $14,298.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The CEC was established by the Legislature in 1974 to address energy challenges facing the state. Today, the CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Serving all Californians, the CEC embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has taken an active and meaningful role in creating an environment that enables each employee to thrive. The CEC operates under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency and shares offices with the agency in a LEED Platinum Certified Building in downtown Sacramento.

The California Energy Commission seeks an Energy Sustainability Technical Lead in the Energy Research and Development Division/Sustainability and Resilience Branch/Administration. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, and reliable energy that addresses climate change, join our diverse team of global energy leaders! The California Energy Commission plays a lead role in creating the energy system of the future, not just in California, but globally.

This position is open to interested applicants who qualify. This can be a multi-step process. To be eligible to be hired:
1) Create an online CalCareers account. For a tutorial on the state application process, visit California State Hiring Process Instructional Video Series – YouTube or contact Careers@energy.ca.gov.

2) Complete and pass the SME exam to be eligible to be hired for available positions. See information on Energy Commission Assessments and Exams.

3) To apply for this position, submit an application package through your CalCareers account. An application package must include all items under the “Required Application Package Documents” section. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a State Examination and Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications must include “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year), time base (full-time/part-time/number of hours per week/month), and applicable civil service classifications.

State employees are subjected to a temporary reduction in pay in exchange of 2025 Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific reduction rate and hours were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit agreement.

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

Special Requirements

You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person:

1) How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678.

2) The Job Control number 535819 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678.

3) Request for Personnel Action Number 360-101 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678.

4) Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678.

5) Include unofficial school transcripts with your application package if the position you are applying for has an educational requirement. You may be required to provide official transcripts if hired.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/26/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

California Energy Commission
Personnel Office - Postal
Attn: RPA 360-101|JC-535819
715 P Street, MS-3
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California Energy Commission
Personnel Office - Drop Off
RPA 360-101|JC-535819
715 P Street, MS-3
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • 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.
  • School Transcripts
  • Other -

    Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length outlining your qualifications and interest in this position.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In 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. Substantial knowledge and technical expertise in principles of mechanical engineering, specifically related to energy-related research on climate risk management; energy sector resilience; energy-system impacts to public health and the environment; emissions of methane; and the energy-system transition to meet state energy goals.
  2. Strong research and analytical skills and ability to make well-supported recommendations for planning and decision-making.
  3. Excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills.
  4. Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work activities, and deliver high-quality, timely work products.
  5. Ability to communicate effectively and prepare clear, concise, complete, and technically accurate reports, presentations, and correspondence.
  6. Experience in drafting, reviewing, and editing technical information for various audiences, including CEC leadership and the public.
  7. Ability to work well as part of a team and perform independent tasks that contribute toward shared goals.
  8. Ability to communicate effectively and be able to relay complicated information in a simple, public-friendly manner.
  9. Experience in managing complex energy projects and programs.

Benefits

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/
Human Resources Contact:
Personnel Office
(916) 654-4309
Personnel.Services@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 Office Contact
(279) 226-1002
EEO@energy.ca.gov
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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job