Utilities Dispatcher

About the role

The City of Vernon Utilities Department seeks to fill two full-time vacancies. This recruitment is to establish an eligibility list to be used for future vacancies.

Responsibilities

• Makes sure real-time operations and maintenance activities of the City's electric generation and distribution systems are monitored.
• Assigns operations and maintenance tasks to electric operators.
• Oversees Critical Control Center activities including electric distribution, gas distribution monitoring and water distribution and pressure.
• Tracks electric market fluctuations.
• Makes sure production and generation conditions are monitored by way of alarms, telemetry, status, modes of operation, or similar notifications.
• Compiles, calculates, and prepares routine gas, electric, water and bulk power reports.
• Determines and documents routine maintenance and unscheduled restoration activities with outside contractors.
• Performs all functions and work tasks of the Electric Operator position, including providing shift coverage when necessary.
• Acts as the primary point of contact for after-hours non-public safety calls for service.
• Maintains the water distribution system in the absence of water crews.
• 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.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Three years of electric utility operations experience.
• A valid California State Driver’s License.
• A valid State of California Grade II Water Distribution License, desired and must be obtained within two years after the probationary period ends.

Qualifications

Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies, and procedures. Basic electric principles, procedures and components, power system operations including power plant operations; fundamentals of alternating current circuits, and electric safety policies and procedures. Occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to the work. Personal computer operations.

Skills

Monitoring and applying control system principles rationally to solve practical problems and to 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 and communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, fellow employees, contractors, representatives from other utilities, outside consultants and the general public.

Benefits

The City of Vernon offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental vision, life, and long term disability insurance. Retirement Benefit: Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Cafeteria Benefits Plan: The City offers a monthly allowance towards the purchase of a HMO, PPO or HSA medical plan for the employee and their family members. Vision coverage is included at no cost to the employee. Supplemental Insurance plans are available. Holiday pay: The City has 14 authorized holidays per calendar year. Bilingual pay: Employees in eligible positions who successfully demonstrate Spanish speaking skills would be eligible to receive an additional $300.00 a month. Vacation 4/10 Schedule Continuous Years of Service Vacation Hours Earned Bi-Weekly Accrual 1st year thru 4th year 80hrs; 3.08 accrual rate 5th year thru 9th year 100hrs; 3.85 accrual rate 10th year thru 14th year 120hrs; 4.62 accrual rate 15th year thru 24th year 160hrs; 6.16 accrual rate 25th year and more 190hrs; 7.31 accrual rate City offers vacation cash out. Vacation 12-Hour Rotation Shift (DuPont Schedule) Continuous Years of Service Vacation Hours Earned Bi-Weekly Accrual 1st year thru 9th year 120hrs; 4.62 accrual rate 10th year thru 14th year 160hrs; 6.16 accrual rate 15th year and more 160hrs; 6.16 accrual rate (160hrs. + one week's equivalent salary on anniversary date and each anniversary date thereafter). Sick Leave: 80 hours of sick leave per calendar year, at a rate of 3.08 hours per pay period. Tuition Reimbursement: $2,200.00 is available to those who satisfactorily complete job related college courses. Other Benefits: Most employees work a 4/10 schedule. In addition, the City offers paid parental leave, bereavement leave and jury duty. Miscellaneous Benefits: The City provides an interest-free loan program for the purchase of a computer, corrective eye surgery and a hearing aide device.