Chief Utilities Dispatcher Vernon CA 1 of 3
JOB DESCRIPTION
Chief Utilities Dispatcher
Date Prepared: March 2023 Class Code: 8022
SUMMARY: Under general supervision, monitors real-time operations and maintenance activities of the City’s electric, bulk power, gas, fiber, and water systems; assigns tasks to electric operators; leads Critical Control Center activities; distributes electricity and water; operates wells and boosters to maintain positive water pressure; tracks electrical market fluctuations. Work responsibilities extend to coordinating work activities and providing work direction to designated staff.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: -- Chief Utilities Dispatcher, is the advanced lead journey level classification within the Utilities Dispatcher series, responsible for performing all functions of the Utilities Dispatcher and Electric Operators as well as training and leading Critical Control Center activities, developing, and checking programs and schedules, and reviewing and finalizing work schedules and timeoff requests. This is a single incumbent classification which leads, trains, and guides Utilities Dispatchers and Electric Operators, Trainees, and Utilities Maintenance Workers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:-- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Provides daily work direction to designated staff, prepares and reviews employee time sheets and other records, documents, and reports.
• Oversees transmission and distribution activities with the Gas, Water and Electric divisions and with contractors.
• Schedules outages and route changes to ensure safe flow of electricity and continuity of service; develops and checks switching programs; creates and checks programs and schedules; schedules and tracks all maintenance related switching activities; coordinates activities with internal and external agencies and contractors; maintains an organized, current, and readily available database of all switching programs. • Oversees the Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) asset management work order and inventory database; coordinates with other divisions for billing and invoicing of jobs; generates purchase orders and obtains vendor quotes; verifies work details are accurate, accounted for, completed, and recorded per document control policy; monitors and procures equipment, supplies, inventory items, and PPE necessary to perform, coordinate, schedule and track repair and maintenance and capital work. Responsible for the maintenance and updating of GIS, circuit maps, inventory maps, asset lists, customer transformer database, pole replacement database and other resources.
• Coordinates operations personnel work schedules and hours; reviews and verifies employee timesheets and facilitates time-off requests; provides integration and support for shift to shift, day to day and week to week Control Center functions; Covers Utilities Dispatcher and Electric Operator shifts as needed; identifies necessary training and participates in training activities. • Coordinates real-time operations and maintenance activities of the City’s electric, bulk power, gas, fiber,and water systems; monitors gas system on SCADA; performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with City policies, safety, and quality standards; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Assigns operations and maintenance tasks to Electric Operators; directly coordinates Critical Control Center activities such as distributing electricity, maintaining positive water pressure and sufficient supplies through Chief Utilities Dispatcher Vernon CA 2 of 3
the use of system components, connections, reservoirs, wells, and boosters, and monitors electrical market fluctuations.
• Creates and reviews day ahead schedules for weekend coverage. • Responds to generation dispatches, brings generation online and monitors generation conditions by way of alarms, telemetry, status, modes of operation, or similar notifications. • Compiles, calculates, and prepares routine to complex Electric, Water, Gas, Fiber and Bulk Power reports or ad hoc reports including system disturbances, emergencies, or any unusual operating condition or event. • Represents Operations and Control Center interests at various meetings or group efforts. • Acts as secondary contact after-hours for non-public safety calls for service including interruptions, customer issues and system emergencies.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Vernon and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of workrelated issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
High School diploma or GED; AND seven years of electric utility operations experience, with at least two years of lead experience, supplemented with related coursework and/or training.
Knowledge of:
• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures. • Principles and practices of effective employee supervision. • Dealing tactfully and courteously with co-workers and the public. • Customer service standards and protocols.
• Outage scheduling, developing, and checking switching programs and schedules. • Electric, Water, Gas, Fiber, and Bulk Power Utility operating concepts. • Basic electrical principles, procedures and components, power system operations including power plant operations; fundamentals of alternating current circuits, and electrical safety policies and procedures. • Occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to the work. • Personal computer operations.
Skill in:
• Leading the work of designated staff.
• Monitoring and applying control system principles rationally to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. • Keeping records as required by regulatory agencies.
• Operating personal computers and specialized software applications including SCADA systems. • Remaining calm under stress or emergency conditions.
• Maintaining a strong sense of propriety concerning confidential matters. • Building relationships and fostering teamwork.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing. • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, fellow employees, contractors, representatives of other utilities, outside consultants and the public.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California State Driver’s License is required.
A valid State of California Grade II Water Distribution License is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an electric generation plant and electric sub-transmission and distribution substation environment; may be exposed to energized equipment. May be exposed to dangerous machinery, hazardous chemicals and electric shock. Routine exposure to the elements. Works a set schedule per Chief Utilities Dispatcher Vernon CA 3 of 3
department needs, however, oversight of 24/7 operations may require the need to work alternative schedules including nights, weekends and rotating shifts.