Career Opportunity

Power System Operator - San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (7364) - (T00103)

Recruitment: REF36323G

Published: January 29, 2024

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

About:

This is a Class-Based SFMTA Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 410.

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: January 29, 2024
Deadline to Apply: Application filing will be open continuously at least through February 29, 2024 and will close anytime thereafter
Recruitment ID: CBT-7364-T00103

Role description

Under general supervision, the Power System Operator is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the electrical power conversion and substation distribution systems that furnish electric power needs for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

Examples of Important and Essential Duties
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. Inspects all supervisory-controlled circuits (controlled remotely), transformers and circuit breakers and records readings and operations of electrical equipment such as: ammeters, volt and watt hour meters, batteries, protective relays, and pressure gauges in order to detect irregularities or malfunctioning equipment. This includes reporting back on inspection of outlying substations. 
2. Operates circuits and switches necessary for proper functioning of substation equipment by applying voltage, paralleling, switching on transmission lines for distribution and consumption
3. Operates circuitry systems used in power conversion, including circuit breakers, automatic transfer systems, silicon rectifiers of AC to DC, along with auxiliary equipment, such as battery chargers and ventilation systems, to provide electrical power for the Municipal Railway System.
4. Operates circuit breakers and switches used in the operation and maintenance of transmission and distribution of electrical power.
5. Prepares switching orders: maintains records, logs, and reports of equipment readings, personnel actions, telephone calls and other job-related activities. This includes performing computer data entry and using a computer for logs, reports, statistics, etc.
6. Tests alarm devices and annunciators to ensure proper operations. This includes testing devices in the substations. 
7. Interacts with personnel, mobile units, and other agencies in outlying stations to inform or alert them of emergencies, malfunctions or changes in service.
8. Reads work order schematics and implements follow-up safety precautions, such as preparing detailed work scheduled and affixing protective warning tags to equipment, in order to ensure the safety of crews repairing electric lines and/or equipment.
9. Participates in trainings and learns new operational systems and procedures as they are introduced; may assist in providing instruction to less experienced operational staff.  
10. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Nature of Work: 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

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.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time verifiable experience in the operation and maintenance of general mechanical and electrical equipment related to power generation, conversion, transmission or distribution.

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.

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 automatic 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/sites/default/files/documents/Job-Seekers/How-to-Verify-Education-Requirements.pdf

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.
 

Selection Procedures: (General Exam Process)
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 (Weight - Qualifying): 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 Multiple Choice Examination (Weight - 100%): Candidates deemed eligible and admitted to the examination process will be administered a written multiple-choice test designed to measure knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas that may include but not be 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 skill.

For your reference, a Multiple-Choice Test Preparation Manual is available on the DHR website: https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/FileCenter/Documents/18426-Multiple%20Choice%20Test%20Prep%20Manual.pdf

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

Candidates must achieve a passing score on all exam components listed above in order to be placed on the eligible list/score report.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of qualifying candidates will be created and used for certification purposes only. A 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, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection upon request once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this selection 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. 

Medical Examination/Drug Testing:  Candidates who are being considered for appointment for positions 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 7364 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.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: 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. The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at Careers with purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov). 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.

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
• SFMTA Employee Wellness Program

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 "7364" 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 (@careers.sf.gov, @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, Angela.Ng@sfmta.com.

AN | CBT-7364-T00103 | CPE

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.