Senior Electrical Estimator

Salary : $166,672.32 - $212,585.64 Annually
Location : 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 37-26-726
Department: Electric Utility
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 3
Weighting Plan: 100% Oral, Qualifying Written


Description
The Department:

Since 1896, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) has provided electricity for residents and businesses in Santa Clara. City of Santa Clara has been experiencing influx of new development projects and there are more exciting specific area plan developments, data centers and mixed use residential projects in the Pipeline. The Customer Development and Project Management Division of Silicon Valley Power is looking for enthusiastic individuals for the position of Senior Electrical Estimator.
The Position:

This position is responsible for preparing detailed designs, construction drawings, and cost estimates for electric utility transmission, distribution, street lighting, metering, and underground development projects. The role performs detailed engineering design and estimating for the installation, modification, and maintenance of electric distribution facilities, and prepares job estimates identifying the labor, materials, and equipment required for construction by City personnel to support major customer projects and maintain the existing electric utility system.

Under general direction, The position conducts field investigations, determines material and equipment requirements, reviews development and public improvement plans, coordinates with City departments, developers, contractors, consultants, and other utilities, and ensures compliance with City standards and applicable regulations.This class is distinguished from Electrical Estimator classification in that the Senior Electrical Estimator performs the most complex estimating and design assignments, leads the planning and review of major development projects, develops and maintains estimating and construction standards, and provides technical guidance and training to lower-level staff while working independently with minimal supervision..
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.
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 Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of August 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
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 $166,672.32 - $212,585.64. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems.

• Experience in operating Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs.

Acceptable Substitution:

• An associate degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two (2) years of the required design experience.

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for four (4) years of experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems.

License/Certifications:

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

• Overhead 60kV and 115kV transmission line design experience
• ESRI-based GIS applications experience

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
• May work unusual hours in emergency situations, or while acting as supervisor, or at other than the regular job site.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or
City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #3

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1245 (IBEW)
This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #3 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:

• City contribution up to $3,039.04/month, based on enrollment in a CalPERS health plan
• Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
• If an employee enrolls in an employee only plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only, they will be paid the difference in cash
• If an employee enrolls in an employee plus one plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee + 1 Dependent, they will be paid the difference in cash
• If an employee enrolls in a family plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee + 2 or More Dependents, they will be paid the difference in cash
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

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 $100.00 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 $25,000 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

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

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: 20 days (160 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 40 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:

• Fourteen (14) paid eight-hour holidays per year (including Lincoln's Birthday)

Footwear, Safety Clothing, and Tools:

• Reimbursement up to $280/fiscal year for eligible classifications (per MOU)

Night Shift Premium:

• 5% night differential is available for Electric and Water System Operators and staff at the DVR Power Plant, depending on shift, assignment, and/or other requirements

Tuition Reimbursement Program:

• Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program:

• Confidential counseling to employees and dependents. Up to maximum of five (5) consultations per family member per incident per year
• City paid benefit

Retiree Medical Reimbursement Program:

• Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.
• Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $438/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)
• After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $262/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)

01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, omissions, stating "see resume" or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question completely, and in your own words (without the use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, including but not limited to Chat GPT, Microsoft AI, or any other AI tool), and that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02


Please select the option below that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for Senior Electrical Estimator.

• I possess a combination of education and experience equivalent to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems and experience in operating Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs.
• I possess an associate degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university that can be substituted for two (2) years of the required design experience, three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems and experience in operating Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs.
• I possess a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited college or university that can be substituted for four (4) years of experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems, one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in the design of overhead and underground electric utility transmission and distribution systems and experience in operating Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs.
• I do not meet the minimum qualifications.

03


Please describe how your education and/or experience meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
04


This position may require unusual work hours in emergency situations or while acting as supervisor, or at other than the regular job site. Are you able to work odd hours when needed?

• Yes
• No

05


I attest that I am be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

• Yes
• No

06


Which of the following electric utility systems have you designed or estimated? Check all that apply.

• Overhead Distribution
• Underground Distribution
• Transmission (60 kV or higher)
• Street Lighting
• Metering
• Underground Residential/Commercial Developments
• Other (please specify)

07


If you checked any boxes in the above question, please briefly describe your experience for each checked box.
08


Do you have electric utility cost estimating experience? If yes, describe your experience and the estimating software/tools you have used?
09


Do you have experience using ESRI-based GIS applications? If yes, identify the applications and briefly describe how you used them.
Required Question