Career Opportunity

Senior Power House Operator - SF Municipal Transportation Agency - (7365)

Recruitment: REF26972V

Published: June 02, 2023

Accepting applications until: August 29, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

About:

The SFMTA, a department of the City and County of San Francisco, oversees Muni (the historic Municipal Railway), parking and traffic, bicycling, walking and taxis. Over one million people get around San Francisco and rely on us to ensure safe and reliable travel.

Our Vision: Excellent transportation choices for San Francisco. 

Our Mission: We connect San Francisco through a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.

Application Opening: May 16, 2023
Application Deadline: May close at any time but not sooner than May 30, 2023

Compensation: $102,024 - $123,994 annually (This compensation range will change effective July 1, 2023.) 7365-Senior Power System Operator | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)
Recruitment ID: CBT-7365-T00072 / REF26972V

Role description

Under direction, a Senior Power System Operator is responsible for the daily operation of the Motive Power Control Center, their sub-stations and units. Essential functions include monitoring the supervisory control systems; checking the security and alarm systems, supervising and training Power System Operators and other personnel; monitoring all incoming and outgoing radio and telephone communications; using a computer in maintaining records, logs, reports of station activities and other documents; acting as relief operator when necessary; performs other related duties as required. 

Essential Functions:
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 409, 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. Supervises and trains Power System Operators and Assistant Power System Operators in the operation and maintenance of power conversion/generation and distribution systems and oversees and evaluates their performance.
    
2. Directs subordinates in routine maintenance of station grounds, buildings, and equipment to ensure personnel safety and prevent damage to machinery and equipment.
    
3. Acts as relief Power System Operator when necessary.
    
4. Responds to emergency situations either in person or by telephone or radio and determines the appropriate corrective actions to be taken and directs subordinates accordingly. This includes outlying sub-stations.
    
5. Maintains records, logs and reports of all readings, personnel actions and other job-related activities and telephone calls, and reviews all previous logbook notations. Includes entering data in the computer. This includes performing computer data entry and using a computer for logs, reports, statistics, etc.
    
6. Monitors telephone and radio communications to ensure that all calls and dispatches such as switching clearances are correctly acted upon. 
    
7. Oversees the day-to-day operation of the power system stations by monitoring the supervisory control systems, checking the security and alarm systems and regularly conferring with other personnel about the functioning of equipment and/or machinery.
    
8. Contacts appropriate personnel to make necessary repairs on defective or malfunctioning equipment. This includes contact with technicians, operators, line control staff and/or PG&E personnel.
    
9. Notifies all necessary persons and agencies of abnormal status changes. This includes contacting emergency services agencies and others such as: SFPD, SFFD, PUC (Water Dept.), SFMTA Central Control, SFMTA Overhead Lines, Rec and Park, etc.
    
10. Performs related duties as required.

Working Conditions: Some positions require work in confined, noisy spaces such as near large generators and substations units; an ability to differentiate different colors; strength and mobility to work in a typical plant operations setting; driving to various work sites; ability to perform physical activity, including standing, walking, and the proper use of ladders; strength to lift and maneuver heavy materials using proper equipment; vision to read printed material and VDT screen; hearing and speech to communicate in a clear, concise and understandable manner in person or over the telephone or radio; incumbents may be required to work day, swing or night shifts, weekends and holidays.

How to qualify

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time verifiable experience as a Power System Operator, Substation Operator, Substation Technician, Electric Station Operator, Power Plant Operator, Load Dispatcher, Power System Dispatcher, Power Distribution Specialist, Electrical Power Production Specialist, or other similar job where the primary responsibility is the operation and maintenance of power generation equipment and/or centralized power control and distribution equipment.

Note: The following is a representative list of locations where qualifying experience may be obtained and is not intended to be exhaustive: an electrical utility, a transit power system, electrical power plant, military power generation unit, merchant marine or naval vessel.

License: Possession of a valid Class C Driver License

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Written Core Examination (Weight - 83%): Candidates deemed eligible and admitted to the examination process will be administered a written multiple-choice examination designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include but not limited to: knowledge of safety procedures; knowledge of  electrical and power conversion and distribution equipment and related systems; ability to read and interpret electrical diagrams and schematics; ability to detect, analyze and correct malfunctioning equipment; and interpersonal skills. 

Written Supervisory Subtest (Weight - 17%): Candidates deemed eligible and admitted to the examination process will be administered a written multiple-choice examination designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include but not limited to supervisory ability.

This is a standardized examination and, therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list/score report of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list/score report, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list/score report shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list/score report is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Director of Transportation or the Civil Service Commission. 

The duration of the eligible list/score report resulting from this examination process will be 12 months and may be extended with the approval of the Director of Transportation. 

Terms of Announcement: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at CCSF Jobs (SmartRecruiters)] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 410.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ATTN: Human Resources Examinations and Classification Unit, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.  Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.

Medical Examination/Drug Testing: Candidates who are being considered for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination. Candidates who cannot meet the medical requirement will be placed under waiver until this requirement is met. The medical examination will be administered only to those applicants who are being considered for appointment. 

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has determined that Class 7365 Senior Power System Operator is a “safety-sensitive” position, under regulations issued by the Federal Transit Administration (49 CFR Part 655). Federal law requires that all transit employees who perform safety-sensitive functions be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. All applicants for Safety-Sensitive positions shall undergo urine drug testing prior to employment and within 90 days prior to performing Safety-Sensitive functions for the first time. Receipt by the SFMTA of a negative test result is required prior to the employee being placed on the payroll. A positive, adulterated, negative dilute or substituted test will result in a decision not to hire, and the applicant’s name will be removed from the list of eligibles for Safety-Sensitive positions. The SFMTA will not consider hiring any person who tested positive, adulterated, substituted or refused to submit to testing for a minimum of two years following the positive test. 

In addition, each applicant who has worked for a Department of Transportation (DOT)-regulated employer(s) within the last two years will be required to sign a consent form, prior to appointment, authorizing SFMTA to obtain information from his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history. Each applicant will also be required to provide SFMTA with information regarding whether, during the last two years, the applicant tested positive or refused to test on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which the applicant applied for, but did not obtain, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by DOT drug and alcohol testing rules. SFMTA will not hire any applicant for a safety-sensitive position who fails to provide this information or fails to provide written consent for the release of information from prior employers. 

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco: Information About The Hiring Process / Conviction History / Employee Benefits Overview / Equal Employment Opportunity / Disaster Service Worker / ADA Accommodation / Veterans Preference / Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams / Right to Work / Copies of Application Documents / Diversity Statement

How to Apply: Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.

1. Visit Careers with Purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)
2. Type "7365" in to the "Search by class or keyword" field.
3. Click the link to open the Job Announcement.
4. Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding the Exam Process, please contact the exam analyst at Madeleine.Chanbanchong@sfmta.com. MC | CBT-7365-T00072 | CPE

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.