Senior Electric and Water System Operator

Job Description

Senior Electric and Water System Operator (777)

Education and Experience

Graduation from high school or possessions of a GED; and
Four 4 years experience as a City of Santa Clara Electric and Water System Operator.

License & Certification

Possession of an appropriate valid California Class C driver's license is required.
A valid Water Distribution System Operator Certificate (Grade D-1 or above) issued by the California Department of Health Services (DHS).
Employees appointed to this position prior to January 1, 2001 will be required to obtain a Water Distribution System Operator Certificate (Grade D-1 or above) by January 1, 2007.
Possession of a valid NERC System Operator Certificate is desirable

Distinguishing Characteristics

Supervises the Electric and Water Operators to ensure that the systems are operated efficiently and effectively in a safe manner and restoring service when necessary in a timely way. Has overall responsibility for operation of the City’s municipal electric power and water, production, transmission and distribution systems for planned and unplanned outages.

Typical Duties

Initiates, issues and validates switching orders and electrical clearances that are scheduled or unplanned with the goal of restoring power safely and as soon as possible to all customers impacted in accordance with the department procedures;
Verification that switching orders are properly written, performed, mapped and documented;
Supervision of system restoration during major outages, and the writing of outage reports;
Maintenance of equipment and other control room records;
Performs scheduling of Operator training sessions, provides on-the-job training, and communicates all changes to operation procedures and policies:
Performs the yearly work scheduling and leave scheduling;
Manages and ensures that the Dictaphone system which records all activities in the control room is maintained on a permanent basis;
Administrator of the Cascade, Asset Management Data Base that accounts for every piece of above and below ground and substations equipment, including power lines. This system includes serial number, installation date, manufacturer’s name, and manufacturer's expected lifetime and manufacturer's replacement date for every piece of equipment. This system will also support the PUC's requirement that one-fifth of the City's electrical system is inspected in detail every year;
Prepares performance evaluations and effectively recommends relating to human resource actions;
Learn and effectively utilize the Escape systems as administrator;
Ensures the proper operation of all Control Center systems and equipment; and
Performs other work as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

The operation of electric and water production, transmission, distribution systems;
Potential hazards involved to life and property resulting from switching operations;
Fundamentals of electricity theory regarding power flow in the operation of electric power systems; and
Electric power system equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, air switches, capacitors, motors, generators, pumps, instruments, primemovers, bridge mains and taps, vacuum and oil switches; water pumps and storage tanks; and vaults, manholes and pull boxes.

Ability to:

Organize, supervise, and train others;
Work collaboratively in a team environment and to get along well with others;
Apply reasoning and analytical skills in troubleshooting planned and unplanned outages of electric, water and storm sewer systems, in prioritizing how multiple outages and service requests will be handled and in determining the personnel and equipment resources needed;
Read and interpret measuring devices such as charts, and computer displays; monitoring water and electricity flows as loads are changed; recognize and correct unsatisfactory conditions when tolerance parameters are exceeded;
Work under pressure with accuracy and speed in a complex work environment;
Take direction from and work with Supervisor/Manager;
Adhere to specific deadlines;
Communicate effectively and exercise tact and maintain poise in addressing service requests, disputes and differences arising with the key customers, including contractors, general public, key customer representatives, ISO representatives and City department supervisory and journey level employees with whom the operator interfaces;
Understand and follow written and oral instructions and read and interpret maps; and
Maintain accurate records;

Skilled in the use of computer technology, including Word, Excel and Access.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of an Electric Utility Division Manager or designee as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Directs electric and water personnel while they are performing switching operations on the electric system.

Other Requirements

Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

Special Conditions

Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, to schedules that may include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required.
Incumbents hired into this position may have to pass periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State and/or industry security requirements.

Conflict of Interest

Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

Approved July 2005