5602-Utility Specialist

Utility Specialist

Job classification

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Current compensation plan

Effective: Jul 01, 2024

See Historic and future compensation information for this class

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Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB CODE TITLE: UTILITY SPECIALIST JOB CODE: 5602

DEFINITION

Under direction, independently conducts complex studies and analyses; develops analytical models and systems; independently conducts contract negotiations; works with other pro-gram 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; de-velops and implements seasonal and long-term operating, financial and capital plans; de-velops and implements operational goals and procedures; manages and administers whole-sale and retail contracts, projects and programs; conducts infrastructure planning for new service territories; provides training of analysts and technical personnel; serves as a tech-nical 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 in-terpretation of complex regulations, laws, policies, procedures and guidelines, and the de-velopment of recommendations consistent with established policies and directives. Deci-sions frequently require application of sophisticated analytical procedures and techniques to complex, multi-disciplinary problems. Working relationships are diverse and include con-tacts 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 relation-ships 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 ad-vanced journey-level positions. Class 5634 Water and Power Resource Managers are re-sponsible 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 this job code/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 oper-ational effectiveness, financial and market risk, price sensitivity, and other complex stud-ies 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 rela-tive to engineers' estimates.

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

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, tech-nicians 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 miti-gate 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 as-signed 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 sup-port 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 water

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 or Skill 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 rela-tionships with those contacted in the course of the work.

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:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prefera-bly 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

Experience:

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/infrastructure 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/clean water 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.

License and Certification:

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

Substitution:

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

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PROMOTIVE LINES

ORIGINATION DATE:

11/13/00

AMENDED DATE:

9/16/05; 3/28/22

REASON FOR AMEND-MENT:

To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

BUSINESS UNIT(S):

COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

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.

Historic and future compensation