7484-Senior Power Generation Technician

Job description

SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

CLASS TITLE: SENIOR POWER GENERATION TECHNICIAN

JOB CODE: 7484

INTRODUCTION

Under general supervision, plans, assigns, directs and reviews the work of technicians on an assigned shift or at an assigned location; develops procedures and training materials and provides technical assistance to supervisory staff as operational changes are introduced; 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; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the lead and/or specialist level in this class series. Incumbents may coordinate activities during an assigned shift or at a remote location or provide technical expertise to the 7488 Power Generation Supervisor in a variety of operating and administrative areas. Responsibilities also include performing the full range of technician duties on a regular basis. This class is distinguished from 7488 Power Generation Supervisor in that the latter has supervisory responsibility for operations and maintenance staff, activities and multiple facilities at a remote site. It is further distinguished from 7488 Power Generation Supervisor in that the latter is the second supervisory level in this series, responsible for all power generation and transmission operations in multiple locations on a 7 day per week, 24 hour basis.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

MAJOR, 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. Plans, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of a shift or crew of Power Generation Technicians.

2. Assists in the selection of staff, instructs technicians in work procedures; provides input into the performance evaluation process; counsels employees and carries out discipline as required.

3. Develops procedures and operational guidelines for power generation, switching, safety clearances and other unit functions.

4. Authorizes safety clearances and equipment shutdowns and start-ups; coordinates planned maintenance and emergency operations to ensure continued power generation and dispatch within established safety and operational guidelines.

5. Directs the review of or personally reviews system operational status, including checking alarms, meters, gauges and computer status screens; may physically inspect equipment which may be malfunctioning; attempts to correct or determine the cause and notifies appropriate maintenance personnel.

6. Reviews pre-established schedules and real time indicators and directs the adjustment of or adjusts equipment operation accordingly to meet operational parameters; coordinates the operation of remote facilities to integrate their activities within those of the primary generation facility.

7. 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.

8. Directs technicians to contact or personally contacts other power generation agencies to purchase or sell power, depending upon operational needs; assesses prices and delivery routes to maximize economic return within established guidelines.

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

10. Maintains logs and records regarding work performed and operational actions taken; compiles periodic and special reports regarding work performed.

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

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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

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

Ability to: assess unusual or emergency operating conditions and take appropriate action; read and understand complex operating guidelines and policies; instruct others in work procedures; prepare clear and concise procedures, training materials and written reports; use independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; maintain accurate records of shift activities and work performed; make accurate arithmetic calculations.

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.

Five (5) years of experience in operating hydroelectric generation and related transmission equipment, which has included real-time scheduling, buying and selling of electrical power.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

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

Newly hired 7484 employees are required to become North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certified by the completion of their probationary periods in order 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.

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: 7488 Power Generation Supervisor

From: 7482 Power Generation Technician II

ORIGINATION DATE: 6/15/1995

AMENDED DATE: 10/27/2014

REASON FOR AMENDMENT To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN, SFMTA

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