City of Alameda
Code No. 7070
Approved by C.S.B.
January 4, 2023
CHIEF UTILITY TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
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DEFINITION
Under general direction, functions as the administrative head o f the utility department’s information technology section and is the final departmental authority in all matters of policy and operations; plans and manages a comprehensive and integrated information technology program to deliver cost effec tive, reliable, secure, and high quality information technology systems and services for the utility; provides leade rship and management to plan, coordinate, and direct all utility information technology services; administers, manages, plans, coordinates, and supervises Alameda Municipal Power’s (AMP) digital and information technology operations, in cluding the support and administration of computer systems, cybersecurity, business continuity, network and teleco mmunications, utility operations technology, purchasing and technology asset management, enterprise applications, infra structure, and help desk services; performs other related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single-position classification at the senior manageme nt level. The Chief Utility Technology Officer reports directly to the General Manager, is a member of the department’ s senior management team, and is responsible for all operations of the utility informat ion technology section. Vari ous related functions may be assigned to the section depending on the needs and priorities of the department.
The Chief Utility Technology Offi cer ensures that the departmen t optimizes and aligns the use of technology, develops the overall information system s vision and strategy, technology -related goals and programs, c oordinates utility-wide needs assessment and short and long-term information systems pl anning, and identifying opportunities to use technology to improve utility operations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
1. Establishes the mission of A MP’s utility information technol ogy section’s policies, plans, and objectives based on the utility department’s strategic goals, needs, and priorit ies. Develops, implement s, and maintains utility information technology vision and strategy that aligns the util ity’s strategic goals with sustainable technology to support it.
2. Develops and implements comp rehensive utility information te chnology services, programs, projects and functions, including but not limited to areas in computer syste ms, cybersecurity, business continuity, network, telecommunications, utility operations technology, enterprise a pplications, and infrastructure to meet the department’s operations needs and goals.
3. Develops, implements, and mai ntains a comprehensive cybersec urity strategy to secure utility operations and maintain compliance with various regulatory requirements includ ing North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
4. Prepares or supervises preparation of routine and special re ports to document activities, operation and performance of organization and recommends action by the Public Utilities Board or other authority.
5. Supervises, develops, trains and evaluates the work of professional and technical staff.
6. Prepares and administers the utility’s information technology budget (operating and capital) as needed for each area and tasks/projects; forecast, monitor, and approve related expenditures.
7. Administers, plans, directs, organizes, coordinates, and man ages all work related to AMP’s computing and network infrastructure services , including the selection, procu rement, implementation, and maintenance of computers and servers, network and cloud infrastructure, softwa re systems, enterprise applications, relational databases, telecommunications, and associated emerging technology.
8. Manages and maintains the utility operations Supervisory Con trol and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network and related fiber network infrastructure.
9. Manages and oversees the utility’s Geographic Information Sy stem (GIS) and associated technologies.
City of Alameda
Chief Utility Technology Officer, Code 7070
10. Evaluates service provision and program effectiveness, eval uates alternatives and options, establishes priorities, and implements effective remedies and solutions.
11. Advocates change and educates Public Utilities Board member s, management, and employees on the needs for up-to-date information tech nology, staff, and equipment to accomplish the mission and goals of the department. Prepares or supervises preparation of routine and special reports to document activities, operation and performance of organization and recommends action by the Public Utilities Board or other authority.
12. Directs systems design, development, and implementation of new or enhanced systems; provides strategic planning and direction by staying up to date on advances in uti lity operations requirements, processes, technology and telecommunications.
13. Manages large and/or complex technology projects. Assigns and tracks project tasks, ensures adherence to project schedule, budget, and scope.
14. Develops hardware and software standards; oversees the deve lopment and/or integration of systems to ensure continuity and compatibility with other systems.
15. Promotes and implements “big picture” strategy for all hard ware, software, systems throughout the utility and understands how to work with all areas of the utility and the C ity in order to integrate systems and technology where applicable.
16. Administers, monitors, and may negotiate contracts for the acquisition, installation, application and maintenance of vendor products and services.
17. Maintains knowledge of the latest trends and developments i n the information technology and electric utility industry; advises and trains staff as needed.
18. Coordinates development and administration of planned and u nplanned system outage resolution, disaster recovery procedures and backup sy stems, including data backup a nd restoration of computer services, and communicates system outage conditions to appropriate AMP and city personnel.
19. Plans, designs, implements, supports, maintains, upgrades a nd troubleshoots various applications and/or network, computing and infrastructure elements.
20. Responds to incidents, probl ems, and requests for service a nd/or resources reported and/or escalated through various mechanisms determining and effecting appropriate course of action to bring closure. Escalates incidents, problems, and requests for service and/or resources to other information technology staff as necessary and appropriate.
21. Initiates, researches, proposes, and implements improvement s to various network, computing, infrastructure, operating system, and applications as appropriate to support op erational service levels in alignment with best practices.
22. Prepares Requests For Information (RFI), Request For Qualifications (RFQ), Request For Proposals (RFP) and solicits vendor bids/quotes as needed. Evaluates bids and writes comparison reports.
23. Confers with other sections, divisions, departments, agenci es, public officials, vendors and contract providers regarding information technology issues; makes presentation on information technology projects, programs, plans and activities.
24. Prepares and may present various studies, analyses, and reports regarding information technology services.
25. Ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes, and NERC compliance.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Education/Experience
Any combination equivalent to education and experience likely t o provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: Graduation from a four-year college or university w ith major course work in information technology, computer science, information systems management, public or bus iness administration, or a related field. A related master’s degree is desirable.
Experience: Seven years of progr essively responsible professio nal experience in all major phases of information technology, including at least three years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
Public sector information technology business systems experience is highly desirable.
Knowledge
Knowledge of objectives, current trends, techniques and princip les of information technology administration; current state-of-the-art information systems and communication technolo gy; best practices, strategies, methodologies, and policies in information technology; information, business, muni cipal and telecommunications system designs, applications, programming, business continuity and security; th e principles and practices of automated information systems management and system support functions including micro computer systems, networks, client-servers, and telecommunication industry standa rds; operation of a complex ne tworked computing envir onment including servers, databases, local, cloud and wide area network technologies; des ignated operating systems and standard applications programs; systems analysis design and programming; and federal, state and local laws, regulations related to utility information technology operations management and reporting requirements.
Ability
Ability to effectively plan, organize, manage, coordinate and d irect all of AMP’s information technology operations; develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls; manage major automation projects and applications; develop and implement com prehensive information technology services, programs, projects and functions including both data and voice to meet operating needs and goals; plan, organize, coordinate, manage and participate in all work related to AMP’s computer network and telecommunications services; demonstrate effective leadership; review and analyze complex an d technical information; draw valid conclusions and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; set prio rities and meet deadlines; interpret and apply relevant state, federal and local laws and regulations; interpr et, apply and explain complex governmental regulations, policies and procedures; issue instructions, directions and ord ers; analyze situations and make quick decisions requiring sound judgment; establish and maintain accurate recor ds; plan, administer and evaluate work programs and schedules; prepare complex and concise technical studies and re ports; set priorities, meet deadlines, and make sound decisions; maintain level of knowledge required for satisfactor y job performance; communicate effectively including presenting technical concepts clearly to non-technical parties; act with resourcefulness, courtesy and initiative; exercises independent judgment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, other departments and agencies, vendors and the general public; and supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
Ability to transport and install computers and related equipmen t involving physical dexterity, moderate lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.
Other Requirements
As periodically determined by the City to establish and/or main tain the minimal level of knowledge, skills and abilities required by this classification and to meet the needs of the City.
Work outside regularly scheduled hours as required.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and satisfact ory driving record at the time of appointment is required as a condition of initial and continued employment only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than the employee’s ability to get to/from various work locations in a timely manner, is necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
CL: Human Resources Department