Salary : $117,996.00 - $152,088.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-011
Department: Multiple Departments
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for Project Manager II supporting Energy Projects in the City Manager's Office, Public Works Department, and Water Department.
The Energy Project Manager II will work within the City Manager's Office, Public Works Department, and Water Department to play a key role in managing escalating energy use and costs by identifying opportunities for rate optimization, energy efficiency, shifting energy loads to cheaper times of the day, and developing battery storage and renewable energy system projects with a high return on investment. With cost savings as a key objective of this position, in addition to leveraging tools to collect data, manage and report on energy use, the role will be expected to develop and implement a strategic approach to long term energy investments and access revenue (e.g., grants, rebates, low carbon fuel standard credits, financing, etc.) to fund climate-adapted, built infrastructure energy projects. This position will directly coordinate with Central Coast Community Energy and other regional agencies and collaboratives, and facilitate public-private partnerships to advance microgrids, sustainable community resilience center infrastructure, neighborhood electrification, and other innovative energy projects.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full-Time, Part-Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Project Manager II vacancies in other areas of assignment and/or other departments that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Recruitment #27-010

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 09/17/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Weeks of 09/28 and 10/05/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/13/26.
• Weeks of 10/26 and/or 11/02/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under general direction, leads, oversees, and performs a wide range of mid-management level project planning, monitoring, and controlling principles and processes to deliver product, service, or program solutions for areas with unique demands that require specialized project management expertise. This position plans, coordinates, administers, and manages project funding/budgeting, scoping, bidding, and the entire lifecycle from conception to completion, ensuring milestone deadlines are met and delivered. Conducts research and analysis and prepares reports; assists in the development and implementation of specialized project procedures or programs. This position also provides complex administrative, professional, and technical assistance to the Department Director, management, staff, and members of the public, including working closely with various City departments and internal and external stakeholders; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced-journey level project manager classification requiring significant knowledge of complex management principles and analytical practices. Project assignments are determined by the nature of the project work required and conducted to produce multiple deliverable products, services, program solutions, or results. Incumbents may be assigned as the project manager over a single or multiple long-range projects ranging in varied complexity based on business and management needs. Incumbents exercise independent responsibility and judgment in conducting responsible research, analysis, and project management, including evaluating, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures. This class is distinguished from the Senior Project Manager in that the latter is the full supervisory management level in the professional project management class series and is responsible for major functions and development of projects and/or programs.
Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Provides technical and functional lead direction to assigned staff; may lead work assignments; reviews and controls quality of work; serves as a resource to staff; performs project management duties.
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations; may participate in the selection and hiring of staff.
• Plans, organizes, manages, and administers complex and long-range City projects that encompass a wide range of specialized areas; develops, implements, and oversees quality control aspects of each project from conception to completion.
• Oversees diverse project teams composed of City staff, internal and external clients, contractors, consultants, designers, and regulatory agencies from a broad range of disciplines.
• Defines project objectives, deliverables, risk, resources, timelines, scope, and roles of each team and participants.
• Develops and administers project funds and budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures; reviews requisitions and/or invoices for proper project fund balance and expense reports; identifies and recommends resolutions for budgetary problems; makes necessary adjustments.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepare scopes of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with project specifications and service quality.
• Manages contracts, including amendments, time extensions and modifications of contract agreements; monitors process, recommends payments, and ensure contract compliance during the project lifecycle.
• Leads project teams and coordinates with stakeholders from project concept to completion; assists management in developing project objectives and specific project strategies that align with community needs and goals.
• Develops grant proposals, tracks funding and expenditures, and writes associated reports.
• Identifies and schedules project deliverables, milestones, and required tasks, including determining and implementing risk mitigation.
• Acts as liaison with other City departments, public agencies, businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations, and the general public, and serves on commissions and committees as assigned; provides technical and logistical project support; produces related reports and correspondences to achieve project outcomes.
• Coordinates public relations efforts as assigned by preparing press releases, public information material and newsletters; meets with citizens and community groups; responds to correspondence and requests for information; assists the public with questions; receives and responds to complaints relating to assigned areas of responsibility; reviews problems and recommends corrective actions.
• Translates, simplifies, and makes accessible regulatory requirements and strategic planning associated with assigned projects; fosters transparent project communication.
• Provides research, analysis, and monitoring of project issues by gathering information and data; conducts feasibility studies; maintains, compiles, analyzes, and projecting statistical data; coordinates material from various sources; and prepares reports, memos, and other forms of communication; makes recommendations.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and reports out on assigned projects.
• Keeps updated on new trends and innovations in project management and incorporates into projects.
• Ensures and observes compliance with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Performs other related duties that may be expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Primarily working inside, this position requires office work and may require field work depending on the project. Position requires standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting stooping and prolonged sitting in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Field work may occasionally require climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.Additionally, the position requires far and near vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some driving is required. Additionally, off-site travel, attendance at multi-day off-site training sessions and various meetings. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, finance, economics, political science, or related field; and,
• Three (3) years of responsible experience in project or program coordination and/or management experience, and research and analytic work or policy analysis and program management; or one (1) year experience performing work comparable to a Project Manager I with the City of Santa Cruz.

OR

• High School diploma or tested equivalent and,
• Six (6) years of responsible experience in project or program coordination and/or management experience, and research and analytic work or policy analysis and program management; or two (2) years' experience performing work comparable to a Project Manager I with the City of Santa Cruz.

Knowledge:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles and practices of program or project development, administration, evaluation, and management.
• Principles and practices of strategic planning.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant management and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, report preparation, and presentations.
• Public agency procurement processes.
• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, document processing, and filing systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Abilities:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership, training, and work direction.
• Plans, manages, coordinates, and administers assigned projects.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare and administer project budgets and funding.
• Prepare plans, specifications, and bid documents.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, locate, and compile appropriate data, information, and material; interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Conduct complex research, analyze, and evaluate projects, programs, policies, and procedures; make and implement recommendations for comprehensive, systemic reforms and improvements; prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the City in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate detailed records, files, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignmen