Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities Vernon CA 1 of 3
JOB DESCRIPTION
Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities
Date Prepared: December 2025 Class Code: 8204
SUMMARY: Under general direction from the General Manager of the Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) department, manages the VPU Natural Gas Division; may supervise other cross-functional support divisions in VPU; and performs related work as required. Supports the General Manager by managing the development and implementation of cross-functional utility programs, projects, and initiatives; confers with the General Manager on policies and strategic planning.
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:
• Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of Vernon Public Utilities' Natural Gas Division. The position is responsible for overseeing all operations, maintenance, and construction activities of the gas transmission and distribution systems, including budget, and long-range planning, setting strategic direction, preparing reports, and directing or conducting special studies related to Gas Division operations.
• Plans, organizes, and evaluates the work of the Gas Division; with managers and staff, develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; develops and monitors performance against the annual division budget and Capital Improvement Projects budget; manages and participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards. • Formulates and leads implementation of Gas Division policy, plans, and strategies; leads and directs staff and outside consulting resources in the development and application of new methods and processes to achieve higher efficiency, quality, and innovation in Gas Division work processes through the use of continual process improvement and quality management principles.
• Through subordinate staff, ensures compliance, monitoring, enforcement, and reporting of all regulatory requirements and recommends policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local program requirements; ensures operational safety of transmission and distribution systems.
• Directs and coordinates the preparation of analyses and recommendations regarding policy issues and long-range plans to address Gas Division capital infrastructure and service needs; advises the General Manager regarding programs and projects to meet utility and customer needs.
• Manages the performance of Natural Gas Division staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and professional development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development.
• Responsible for the coordination and administration of the Gas Division’s business development activities, including new business opportunities and customer relations. • Maintains active liaison with all organizations having natural gas-related interests and provides advice to the General Manager and resource procurement staff regarding natural gas policy
Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities Vernon, CA 2 of 3 matters. Acts as a representative of the City at professional organization meetings, with other utility organizations, with representatives of regional, state, and federal regulatory agencies, and local businesses to administer the operations and improvements for the Natural Gas Division.
• Provides support for utility management initiatives such as cost of service and rate design studies, budget preparation, and strategic planning. Develops and implements policy recommendations relating to natural gas issues; maintains awareness of legislative and regulatory initiatives that may have significant impacts on Vernon's energy resources; and advocates on behalf of the City's interests as directed at meetings with energy resources agencies. Supervises professional, technical, clerical, and/or paraprofessional staff. • May assist the General Manager in planning, organizing, integrating, and evaluating the work of the utility to ensure that operations and services comply with the policies and strategic direction set by the City Council, City Administrator, General Manager, and all applicable laws and regulations.
• Secures and directs the services of professional consultants as required. • Understands management of 24-hour staff, rotating shifts, standby program, troubleshooting, emergency operations and response, customer supply outages, union relationships and memorandum of understanding matters.
• 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 work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field; AND seven years of utilities operations experience or regulatory compliance programs, including five years of supervisory or management experience.
Knowledge of:
• Gas utility organization and operation
• Theory, principles, practices and techniques of organizational design and development, public administration, public financing, financial management and long-range planning as they apply to natural gas transmission and distribution systems
• Theory, principles and practices of environmental research, planning and regulatory compliance
• Social, political and environmental issues influencing program/project development and implementation
• Budget development and management methods and techniques • City policies and procedures
• City’s Natural Gas Division infrastructure
• Customer service and public relations methods and practices • Department of Transportation rules, regulations, and requirements • Emergency response and first-responder procedures and other safety, environmental compliance rules, requirements, and regulations including Cal-OSHA and Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities Vernon, CA 3 of 3 Skill in:
• Planning and directing the activities of a Division of management, professional, technical and administrative staff in the operations, maintenance, engineering, planning, and environmental compliance of a natural gas transmission and distribution system • Directing the development and/or analysis of plans, contracts and regulatory filings • Leading and conducting the development of thoughtful and effective strategic plans for the Gas Division and Utility
• Collecting and analyzing data and making appropriate recommendations • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others • Interpreting and applying state and federal statutes, codes, rules, and regulations • Managing projects
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software • Organizing, planning, coordinating, delegating, and controlling the activities of others • Working effectively with others to develop solutions for problems LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California State Driver’s License. Must complete Department of Transportation (DOT) Reasonable Suspicion Training for supervisors within 30 days of supervisory assignment of DOT safetysensitive employees.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in internal and external environments throughout the City, with possibility of exposure to hazardous materials. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds.
Pursuant to California Government Code §3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.
JOB SERIES
Gas Systems Field Supervisor
Gas Systems Superintendent
Gas Systems Manager
Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities