5602 Utility Specialist - Utility Data/Software Specialist

Filing Deadline:      3/23/2020 5:00:00 PM 

Who are we?

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)

Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees working in seven counties with a combined annual operating budget of over $900 million.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.sfwater.org

We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. As you explore career opportunities with us, download our career guide and learn about what you can expect during the hiring process.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction of one of the Power Wholesale and Retail Services, Retail Services or Energy Data Systems managers, Utility Specialists hired under this announcement will operate software, perform data analysis, and act as subject matter experts (SMEs) for critical operational functions of the electric utility, which include power scheduling, settlements, load forecasting, meter data management, and energy accounting.  

The position requires experience in utilizing and managing utility software to conduct complex analysis, perform operational tasks, manage data, and create reports. Successful candidate must have the ability to interpret and work within regulations, contracts and policy directives; translate technical terms and concepts for non-technical users; suggest and document process improvements; and ability to use independent judgment within established policies and problem solve.  

This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills. Utility Specialists should be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment, have excellent problem-solving skills, and be able to keep management and key project stakeholders informed of important project milestones and events.                                            

Essential functions:

• Acts as a business expert on data that is sent to/received from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), PG&E, EPA, and other agencies and providing expertise for assigned specialty area
• Creates or generates reports from databases using SQL or with business intelligence software
• Assists with tracking environmental attributes and commodities for our utilities' load, generation and trades
• Communicates technical ideas and concepts to business users, vendors, and to non-technical persons
• Performs data analysis on large sets of meter, account, billing, and power scheduling data
• Assists with administration of, and operating various utility software packages, which may include energy forecasting, meter reading, meter data management, energy accounting, GIS, hydro modeling, and power scheduling software
• Participates in the analysis and development of business requirements for utility database, process and software improvements; and for compliance reporting
• Develops user and technical documentation for software and business processes, creating written reports, and other written deliverables
• Monitors operations to ensure compliance with policy directives, laws, regulations and contractual constraints
• Supervises Utility Analysts and other technical personnel
• Class 5602 Utility Specialist performs other related duties as required.

This recruitment has 3 vacancies available. Please see below for specific position descriptions.

Energy Scheduling and Settlements

Under the direction of the Energy Scheduling & Settlements Manager, the Utility Specialist will perform a wide variety of duties related to energy scheduling and complex procurement planning analysis. This position will utilize scheduling software tools to submit day-ahead and real-time schedules, execute energy trades to maximize revenue and minimize costs, as well as perform complex modeling and analysis to develop short and long-term procurement plans. The mandatory work hours for the position above is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Retail Data Specialist

This position will report to the Retail Services Manager. Primary responsibilities will include: maintaining and developing models to forecast load over short, medium, and long-term horizons; doing analysis on large sets of data; preparing/managing various reports for compliance with local, state and federal agencies; monitoring operations (generation, loads, trade activity) for compliance with risk management and reporting requirements; and documenting and improving upon business processes around forecasting, reporting, and other Retail Services functions.

Energy Data Systems Specialist

This position will report to the Energy Data Systems manager. Primary responsibilities will include: managing software implementation projects, including performing testing; conducting analysis on large sets of data; developing reports in Cognos; acting as a SME on power scheduling; tracking environmental attributes for load, generation and trades; managing power scheduling software; and becoming an SME for data required by PG&E, CAISO, billing, and government reporting.  

Equal Employment Opportunity: 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

If you are interested in a job like this, we are looking for people that have the following:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university preferably with major coursework in Law, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Computer Science, Business Administration, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or other field related to the utility business; AND
2. Four (4) years of verifiable journey-level work experience in one or more of the following areas: planning, scheduling, cost estimating and resource projecting for mid to large scale projects; water supply management and planning; power operations planning and scheduling; analysis, interpretation and application of utility contracts and regulations in either water, power (electric and/or natural gas), telecommunications, or a wastewater program; utility market and environmental analysis and planning; power supply and transmission rates and contracts; generation, transmission or distribution planning and design; or long-term utility systems planning.

SUBSTITUTION: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL CONDITION: Two (2) years or twenty-four (24) months of verifiable experience utilizing and managing utility software including conducting complex data analysis and business process analysis, creating business requirements, and interfacing /liaising with IT software vendors.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or familiarity with electric industry and markets;
• Experience with report and presentation design (e.g., in Excel and PowerPoint);
• Experience utilizing databases and reporting tools;
• Experience conducting analysis of large data sets;
• Knowledge of or familiarity with software used by the electric utility (forecasting, meter data, billing, energy accounting)

The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this classification.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included in the “Education” and “Training and Employment Record” sections of the City and County of San Francisco online application by the filing deadline. A resume does NOT substitute for this section of the City application and will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

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