City and County of San Francisco

Power Generation Technician I (#7480)

$45.85-$55.71 Hourly / $7,947.00-$9,657.00 Monthly / $95,368.00-$115,882.00 Yearly


Definition

Under general supervision, on an assigned shift and in multiple locations, operates hydro-power generation, switching and water regulation equipment and facilities to ensure adequate City water supplies while producing electrical power in the most effective and cost-efficient manner; learns to broker power with other agencies following established contractual requirements; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features

This is the entry-level in this class series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents inspect, operate and perform minor maintenance on a variety of hydro-power generation and transmission equipment and facilities. As experience is gained, the work is performed more independently, and incumbents learn to operate real-time computerized informational and control systems. This class is flexibly staffed to 7482 Power Generation Technician II and incumbents may advance to the higher level class after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency at the entry level.

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 this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Reviews system operational status, including checking alarms, meters, gauges and computer status screens; physically inspects equipment and ensures that all normal operating parameters are met; if problems exist, attempts to correct or determine the cause and notifies appropriate personnel.

2. Reviews pre-established schedules and real-time indicators and adjusts equipment operation accordingly to meet operational parameters.

3. Ensures that water levels at multiple facilities are maintained within acceptable parameters; communicates with field staff to operate valves to raise and lower storage level appropriately.

4. Under direction, starts, stops and regulates generators and associated equipment to meet schedule requirements; adjusts such equipment as required.

5. Within established guidelines; performs switching operations at transmission facilities in both local and remote locations; under direction, shuts down or otherwise ensures that safe clearances have been obtained and that such equipment is inoperable when maintenance or repair work is being performed; coordinates switching with other agencies as required to isolate transmission lines.

6. Learns to contact other power generation agencies to purchase or sell power, depending upon operational needs.

7. Inspects various generation, transmission and switching facilities in off site or remote locations; transmits information regarding the condition of such facilities to other operational or maintenance staff and takes action as directed.

8. Assists maintenance personnel in the installation, maintenance and/or repair of equipment; may independently perform minor maintenance or adjustments as required.

Important Duties:

9. Maintains logs and records regarding work performed and operational actions taken; compiles periodic and special reports regarding work performed; makes daily water model calculations and reports.

10. Participates in training and learns new operational systems and procedures as they are introduced.

11. Drives a motor vehicle and uses a variety of standard office equipment, including multiple computer terminals, in the performance of the work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: basic operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment required for large scale hydro-power generation and transmission; basic safety principles and practices related to high voltage power generation and transmission; basic computer applications associated to the work; business arithmetic; record keeping principles and practices

Skill in: learning to operate and perform basic maintenance to large scale hydro-power generating equipment and related switching and transmission facilities; learning to use computer software to monitor and operate such equipment; using hand and power tools related to the work.

Ability to: use independent judgement within established procedural guidelines; learn to troubleshoot and identify equipment operating problems; follow oral and written directions; receive and convey information by radio and telephone; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; make accurate arithmetic calculations; maintain accurate records of shift activities and work performed.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

None

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in the Mechanical and Electrical operations and/or maintenance of plant equipment.

License and Certification: 

Must possess a valid Class C California driver’s license.

All newly hired 7480 employees must obtain NERC certification within one (1) year of employment to fulfill the federal mandate established by the WECC Compliance Office.

Supplemental Information:

Physical Demands: strength and mobility to work in a typical plant operations setting, including operating hand and power tools; driving to various work sites; stamina to perform sustained physical labor; including standing, walking, climbing and working in confined or awkward spaces; strength to lift and maneuver materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds with proper equipment; vision to read printed material, VDT screen and determine fine color differences; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

Other Requirements: must be able to work off-hours, holidays, weekend shifts and be available for emergency call back as required.

Notes

Established: 6/15/1995

Amended: 10/27/2014

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: 7480; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 10/27/2014;