City and County of San Francisco

Utility Specialist (#5602)

$51.49-$76.13 Hourly / $8,925.00-$13,195.00 Monthly / $107,094.00-$158,340.00 Yearly


Definition

Under direction, independently conducts complex studies and analyses; develops analytical models and systems; independently conducts contract negotiations; works with other program controls staff in developing cost, schedule and technical tracking systems for new projects, collecting data on the cost, schedule and technical progress on those projects; develops and implements seasonal and long-term operating, financial and capital plans; develops and implements operational goals and procedures; manages and administers wholesale and retail contracts, projects and programs; conducts infrastructure planning for new service territories; provides training of analysts and technical personnel; serves as a technical expert.

Distinguishing Features

This is the advanced journey level in a Professional/Supervisory/Management class series. This class operates under the direction of the Water, Power, Wastewater, Infrastructure or Planning Managers or other unit/bureau division manager. The work frequently requires interpretation of complex regulations, laws, policies, procedures and guidelines, and the development of recommendations consistent with established policies and directives. Decisions frequently require application of sophisticated analytical procedures and techniques to complex, multi-disciplinary problems. Working relationships are diverse and include contacts with high-level positions in regulatory agencies and utility companies as well as with City policymakers and senior management. The purpose of most of the working relationships is to provide technical advice and direction, solve problems, negotiate and administer contracts, monitor compliance and advocate for the department and the City's constituents. Positions in Class 5602 Utility Specialist are distinguished from those in Class 5634 Water and Power Resource Manager in that incumbents in Class 5602 Utility Specialist are advanced journey-level positions. Class 5634 Water and Power Resource Managers are responsible for the overall management of a section.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises Utility Analysts and other technical staff.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to the class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Monitors operations to ensure compliance with policy directives, laws, regulations and contractual constraints

2. Develops analytical and predictive models; conducts technical and economic feasibility evaluations of proposed capital projects; incorporates results of analyses into cost/benefit assessments; conducts a wide variety of analytical studies related to assessment of operational effectiveness, financial and market risk, price sensitivity, and other complex studies as assigned.

3. Develops and implements seasonal, monthly and multi-year operating, financial and capital plans. Develops and maintains Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules; reviews and analyzes Precedence Diagram Method (PDM) schedules for variances and trends; maintains and makes recommendation for improvements to the cost control system to track spending relative to project budgets and schedules; and maintains a cost estimate database by providing project cost estimates and reviewing actual construction costs relative to engineers' estimates.

4. Directly negotiates large seasonal and yearly contracts, rates and service terms; provides negotiation support on division-wide multi-year contracts; establishes rate policies and negotiating parameters for short-term purchase and sale transactions and agreements.

5. Identifies operational constraints and develops, evaluates or recommends policies and procedures to improve operations, mitigate risks, increase revenues and decrease costs.

6. Develops training programs to implement policies and programs; trains analysts, technicians and other personnel on policies, procedures and compliance issues.

7. Writes a variety of documents including reports; work plans; general correspondence; operating, financial and marketing plans; program descriptions; operating procedures and policy recommendations; meeting minutes; documentation of forecast methodologies and model assumptions; legal and regulatory interpretations and issues; reports that explain schedule and cost variances and trends, provide cost-effective recommendations to mitigate adverse variances and to support negotiation of change order costs with contractors; and other types of written documents as needed to support the diverse work activities assigned to this class.

8. Develops, implements and maintains database systems for hydrologic, water supply, power operations, marketing, energy consumption and other data.

9. Supervises Utility Analysts and other technical personnel and provides technical support and expertise for assigned specialty area.

10. Supervises the preparation of section operating and capital budgets, including revenue and expense forecasts and analyses and reporting of variances.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: basic concepts and terminology related to utility operations and analyses; resource efficiency; laws and regulatory rules pertaining to section activities; concepts of and power and wastewater systems; market characteristics; statistical analysis concepts and techniques; computer applications related to the work; basic contract administration principles; record keeping principles and practices; program controls; Critical Path Method schedules; Precedence Diagram Method schedules; and cost variance and trends.

Ability to: independently conduct complex analytical studies; develop and implement operating, financial and capital plans; conduct resource optimization; develop and employ complex analytical models; interpret and apply regulations, contracts and policy directives; use computer database and report generation software to create management and other reports; instruct others in work procedures; review, maintain and reconcile accurate records and files; use independent judgment within established policies; translate technical terms and concepts for non-technical users; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Experience and Training

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university preferably with major coursework in Law, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Computer Science, Business Administration, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or other field related to the utility business; AND 2. Four years of verifiable journey-level work experience in one or more of the following areas: planning, scheduling, cost estimating and resource projecting for mid to large scale projects; water supply management and planning; power operations planning and scheduling; analysis, interpretation and application of utility contracts and regulations in either water, power (electric and/or natural gas), telecommunications, or a wastewater program; utility market and environmental analysis and planning; power supply and transmission rates and contracts; generation, transmission or distribution planning and design; or long-term utility systems planning.

SUBSTITUTION: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

License or Certificate

Specified positions may require possession of a valid Class C driver's license.

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CLASS: 5602; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 1/1/1900;