1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 26, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Betsy McClinton, Management Services Director
By: David Lasher, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Revision of the Title and Specification for t he Classification of Power System Operator I to Power System Operator Trainee, and Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Citywide Salary Schedule
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
APPROVING THE REVISION OF THE TITLE AND SPECIFICATION FOR THE
CLASSIFICATION OF POWER SYSTEM OPERATOR I TO POWER SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE (Attachment 1).
2. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE CITYWIDE SALARY SCHEDULE (Attachment 2).
BACKGROUND
Staff seeks to revise the title and specification for the classification of Power System Operator I to Power System Operator Trainee. This classification is currently associated with the Power Supply Division of Burbank Water and Power.
The revision of the specification’s content is intended to modernize its language while adding new content that elaborates on the requirements essential to e nsuring that the tasks of the Power System Operator I are performed safely. In addition to these amendments, it is also proposed that the duration of the training program be revised to be a maximum of 18 months to complete. Finally, as this specification is a training role for the Power System Operator classification, BWP is proposing to revise the title of Power System Operator I to Power System Operator Trainee.
The proposed revision is requested to support the City Council and t he community’s stated goal of maintaining reliable and stable electricity generation and distribution. The proposed revision would also update the specification’s language to align with current verbiage used throughout the City’s classifications.
MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
2 DISCUSSION
The City’s Power System Operators perform essential work under unique working conditions. The duties they perform are associated with the vital task of maintaining the consistent generation and distribution of electricity Citywide to thousands of residential, commercial, and industrial customers. To safeguard that their work is completed safely and efficiently, a specialized third party consultant performed a comprehensive functional job analysis of this classification. Based on this focused analysis, changes to the Power System Operator specification were recommended to guarantee that the current standards of the work performed in this classification are clearly and accurately articulated, and done so in a safe manner —especially given the distinct work environments (which include the Energy Control Center and within electrical substations).
Consequently, new “Special Conditions & Requirements” language is proposed that would mandate new hearing and vision standards. The specific vision and hearing criteria will be instituted and coordinated with the Management Services Department’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) t eam and BWP, with the physical evaluation conducted by a contracted local health-screening provider. This would include verification that any affected employee meets the established standards during recruitment/onboarding, and throughout their employment with the City.
As noted, given the Power System Operator I’ s purpose as a training classification, and in association with the other similar BWP trainee classifications, staff is also proposing to retitle this classification “Power System Operator Trainee”. This trainee classification will take its place among the other trainee titles at BWP, such as Power Plant Operator Trainee and Communication Technician Trainee. In a related action, the Civil Service Board recently approved revising the Civil Service classification of Power System Operator II to “Power System Operator”.
Staff is also proposing to reduce the maximum length of time to complete the training program (as described in the specification) from 36 months to 18 months. This is recommended given that the program has over time become more formalized and structured to the point that participants routinely complete the training within 18 months.
Codifying what is now the standard practice will support trainees, improve the training program itself, and contribute positively to the Power System Operators individual performance through the program. A further factor that supports this component of the proposed revision is that additional online learning technology and new on-the-job training has bee n implemented in the period that has passed since the specification was last revised. Consequently, not only is this proposed revision supported through (and by) the current training regimen, it also results in the trainees promoti ng to Power System Operator, the next level in the series, faster and with a stronger foundation of knowledge and skills.
The proposed revision (provided in redlined text as Attachment 3) also includes updating the specification language to reflect modern terminology and contemporary phrasing used in the City’s classifications.
3 Lastly, in accordance with Government Code Section 20636 and Title 2 of California Code of Regulations Section 570.5, the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) requires public agencies to post a publicly available salary schedule that is approved by the City Council at a public meeting in order for CalPERS to determine earnable income. Although the recommendations proposed herein do not involve a change in salary, they do include a change in the title of a classification currently found in the salary schedule. Therefore, staff is requesting the City Council adopt an updated salary schedule that reflects the revision of the title of the classification.
The classification of Power System Operator Trainee would continue to be represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), exempt from Civil Service, and not included in the City’s Conflict of Interest Code . IBEW has been advised of the proposed revision and the BWP General Manager concurs with this recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed revision of this classification does not include a change in the classification’s salary. Therefore, there is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of these resolutions.
CONCLUSION
The revision of the title and specification of the Power System Operator I to Power System Operator Trainee will simultaneously modernize the language of the specification and meet the current and ongoing needs of BWP. Therefore, staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed revised job title and specification, and adopt a resolution approving the Citywide Salary Schedule.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution revising the title and specification for the classification of aaaaaaa Power System Operator Trainee
Attachment 2 – Resolution approving the Citywide Salary Schedule Attachment 3 – Proposed Power System Operator Trainee specification, redlined