Job Posting: Executive Director, CPUC

Public Utilities Commission

JC-489043
-
Executive Director, CPUC
Executive Director, California Public Utilities Commission

$19,431.00 - $21,113.00 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: 9/16/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission or CPUC) and the personal direction of the President thereof, to: (1) coordinate the operations of the Commission, relieve members of the Commission of administrative detail and assist the President of the Commission in the discharge of their duties; (2) prepare and present the budget of the Commission to the proper fiscal officers of the State and to the Legislature, and handle all budgetary and procurement matters of the Commission relating to personnel, services and materials; (3) keep a full and true record of all proceedings of the Commission, issue necessary process, writs, warrants, and notices, and perform other duties required by law; and (4) do other work as required by the Commission and the Public Utilities Code. Please see the attached duty statement for full details.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience, including at least three (3) years in an executive level role and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in administration, budget setting, budget management, and personnel management. An advanced degree in a relevant field is desirable.

Compensation

The annual salary range for the Executive Director of the California Public Utilities Commission is $19,431.00 - $21,113.00. The selected candidate will be offered a salary within the range based on their qualifications. The selected candidate will also receive package benefits available to state employees including retirement, health, dental, and vision insurance, and leave allowances. The link to more information can be found below under the benefits section.


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

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position that will require the selected candidate to report to their assigned headquarter office a minimum of two (2) days a week. Hybrid positions may be eligible for telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. In accordance with CPUC Telework Policy, telework arrangements are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.

Travel to worksites throughout the state of California which could require extended hours of work and/or multiple-day trips. Will be required to travel between CPUC offices located in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.

This position will be headquartered at either the San Francisco or Sacramento location.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-489043
Position #(s):
680-420-5321-001
Working Title:
Executive Director, CPUC
Classification:
Executive Director, California Public Utilities Commission
$19,431.00 - $21,113.00
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:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Exempt Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians' access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. The essential services regulated include electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies.

This position will be headquartered at either the San Francisco or Sacramento location.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Cover Letter – The cover letter should include responses to the below:

  1. Describe how you approach setting a vision for an organization, how you identify strategies to achieve the vision, how you communicate it, and how you manage the organization to achieve it.
  2. Describe how you manage an organization or team, especially a team that performs a range of projects and tasks across different areas and activities, such as policy, administrative, operational, investigative, or other activities.
  3. Describe how you approach setting and managing a budget for a large organization.
  4. Describe how you approach working with a board of directors or governing body.

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: 9/16/2025

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs. Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Exempt Position by the State of California.

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:

Public Utilities Commission
Sacramento (Capitol Mall location)
Attn: Kristin Stauffacher, Suite 500
300 Capitol Mall, 5th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Public Utilities Commission
Sacramento (Capitol Mall location)
Kristin Stauffacher, Suite 500
300 Capitol Mall, 5th floor
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.
  • Other - Cover letter - Please see 'Special Requirements' section for detail instructions for the Cover letter.
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:

  • Exceptional and diplomatic communication skills that exhibit knowledge and respect.
  • Experience working in California state government, federal or local government.
  • Knowledge of a broad range of public utilities or transportation matters that the California Public Utilities Commission regulates.
  • Experience in organizational development, the ability to assess the structural and operational needs of an organization and ability to foresee the need for resources or modification.
  • A proven commitment to teamwork and building consensus within all levels of an organization.
  • An advanced degree in a relevant field.
  • A knowledge of and commitment to environment justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Possession of the personal characteristics of integrity, initiative, dependability, tact, positive attitude, and sounds judgment.
  • Experience directing complex organizations through change.
  • Excellent project management skills and proven ability to supervise complex and heavy workload with strict regulatory deadlines.
  • Substantial commitment to the value of a broad and diverse public participation and public service.
  • Ability to bridge communications between and among the Commission and staff, the Governor’s Office and legislature, federal and state agencies, local governments, and the public.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Talent Unit
(916) 450-6781
cpucrecruiter@cpuc.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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 894-5799
ReasonableAccommodation@cpuc.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.

Application Process and Recruitment Schedule

Application package will be screened based on the minimum qualifications and criteria for this position as outlined in the job posting. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications may be given preliminary interviews. The Commission will then select finalists to be interviewed by the full Commission in closed session; these finalists may be asked to participate in a process that includes comprehensive reference and background checks.

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