Chief Operating Officer-FILLED

for the position brochure

Become part of this prestigious utility company dedicated to delivering a wide array of City‑owned and operated utility services, including electricity, natural gas, water, sanitary sewer, and commercial fiber optic services, to residents and businesses alike.

Learn what makes Palo Alto a unique and vibrant community. The City of Palo Alto administers a comprehensive range of services—gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse, and storm drainage—offered at highly competitive rates and supported by an AAA bond rating. The city also boasts 36 parks, 39 playgrounds, five community and youth centers, 41 miles of walking and biking trails, five libraries, and a top‑tier public school system.

Palo Alto is renowned for its innovation and adept management, attracting high‑profile companies and research institutions such as VMware, Hewlett‑Packard, Tesla, and Stanford University. Its workforce is highly educated and culturally astute, participating in local and global initiatives.

The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is the city’s utility arm, with a history that began in 1896. CPAU serves 260 employees in five divisions—administration, customer service, engineering, operations, and resource management—providing water, wastewater, gas, electric, and fiber services for residents, businesses, and the council. The city has a $1.01 billion 2024 budget and a $500 million in assets, maintaining a AAA financial rating.

CPAU is led by Dean Batchelor, a 15‑year veteran, and is committed to delivering safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable, and cost‑effective services.

The utility’s COO will oversee three direct reports and indirectly manage five additional personnel. Their primary focus will be on upgrading the entire electric system, including numerous fiber projects, and collaborating closely with Assistant Directors to negotiate, mediate, and foster a shared vision. The COO must introduce new ideas, view the organization holistically, and contribute to the labor‑relations strategy, managing negotiations with unions such as SEIU 521 and UMPAPA (42 members).

The ideal candidate must possess a background in electric utilities, with at least seven years in supervisory, managerial, or directorial roles, and knowledge of gas, water, wastewater, and fiber systems. They must understand electric operations, regulations, and technical compliance—state regulations such as GOs 95, 128, 165; national NERC and WECC standards; and federal requirements for water, wastewater, and DOT oversight of gas systems.

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, business, public administration, or a field directly relevant to utility management.
• Professional Engineering License and/or Master’s degree in public or business administration or a related field (preferred).
• Seven years of experience in engineering, operations, and/or business in a multi‑utility organization, five of which in a senior management capacity.
• A progressive career with supervisory and growing responsibilities for broader elements of the organization.

* The salary range for this position is $ – $333,341 annually. Placement within this range is dependent upon the qualifications. The City also provides a competitive benefits package, detailed here, that includes a 9/80 work schedule, CalPERS retirement plans, 457 retirement, medical, dental, vision, life & AD&D insurance, generous vacation, sick leave, holidays, floating holiday, paid family leave, and additional flexibility and professional development benefits.

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact:

Jenna Flanagan

(916) 304‑6663

Filing Deadline

The filing deadline for this position is on June 17, 2024.

The City of Palo Alto is an equal‑opportunity employer.