What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electric and Water System Operator position at City of Santa Clara, CA?

Salary : $183,558.84 - $234,773.52 Annually

Location : Santa Clara, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 60-24-390

Department : Electric Utility

Opening Date : 11 / 20 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : 3

Weighting Plan : 100% Oral Exam

Description

The Department :

Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is the City of Santa Clara's municipal public power utility. Located in Northern California's Santa Clara County, SVP is primarily a distribution utility contained within a roughly twenty square mile footprint and embedded within the much larger PG&E utility system. SVP operates under the jurisdiction of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). SVP operates voltages of 230kV and 115kV (transmission), 60kv (sub-transmission), and 12kV (distribution). Its peak load in 2024 was 718MW and has the ability to generate up to 200MW internally. SVP has roughly 60,000 meters with 90% of the load industrial-commercial and 10% residential. SVP is a NERC registered utility and conforms to NERC 693 and CIP reliability standards. It is the mission of SVP to be a progressive, service-oriented utility, offering reliable, competitively priced services for the benefit of the City and its customers. Being competitive in the marketplace with a continuous focus on customer service, SVP provides economic value to the City of Santa Clara and its customers while maintaining low residential rates and offering competitive rates for all customers

The Position :

Electric and Water System Operators (EWSO) ensure that all Electric, Water and Storm sewer systems are operated reliably, efficiently and effectively in a safe manner and restoring service in a timely way to all customers. The EWSO has responsibility for monitoring and operation of the City's municipal electric power, water, transmission and distribution systems and for coordinating planned and unplanned power outages. As a Transmission Operator, operating personnel in this position have the responsibility to comply with NERC reliability standards and the authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System. These efforts are coordinated with the appropriate Reliability Coordinator (RC), affected Transmission Operator(s) (TO) and affected Balancing Authorities (BA). This position is staffed 24 / 7 365 utilizing a rotation of 12 hour shifts with Operators alternating between days and nights.

Additional Information :

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write "see resume, NA, or personnel file."). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at This position is continuous. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.

The annual salary range for this position is $183,558.84 - $234,773.52 annually. This position will be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Typical Duties

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification , which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Requirements :

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED
1) Two (2) years of experience in an electric utility performing complex load dispatching and switching
2) Four (4) years of experience in an electric utility as a generating plant or substation operator with sub-dispatching responsibility
3) Four (4) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara Electric Department, including at least one (1) year as an journey-level or higher, electrician or lineman / linewoman
4) Completion of a recognized State of California Electric System Operator apprentice program

Desirable Qualification : A valid Transmission Operator Certificate issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

LICENSE : Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment and for the duration of employment.

CERTIFICATES : Possession of the following certificate is required within one year of hire date and for the duration of appointment :

A valid Water Distribution System Operator Certificate (Grade D-1 or above) issued by the California Department of Health Services (DHS).

A valid Transmission Operator Certificate issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

Incumbents will be required to obtain and maintain any other license or certification mandated by NERC for the position of Transmission Operator and necessary for the performance of duties under the current scope of responsibilities pertaining to the SVP Transmission System.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents may be assigned to work on a rotating 12-hour shift schedule

Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, to schedules that may include weekends, holidays, and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required

Incumbents may have to pass an initial and periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State and / or industry security requirements

Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications / transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS : Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or

City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #3

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1245 (IBEW)

This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #3 employees in 2025. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.

Retirement :

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

Classic Employees : 2.7% @ age 55 formula - employee pays 8.00% of gross pay, minus $61 bi- weekly

New Employees : 2.0% @ age 62 formula - employee pays 7.00% of gross pay

Medicare and Social Security (FICA)

Employee pays 6.20% up to $10,918.20 (Social Security) and 1.45% (Medicare) of gross pay

Health Insurance :

City contribution up to $2893.54 / month, based on enrollment in a CalPERS health plan

Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis

If an employee enrolls in an employee only plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only, they will be paid the difference in cash

If an employee enrolls in an employee plus one plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee 1 Dependent, they will be paid the difference in cash

If an employee enrolls in a family plan with a premium that is less than the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee 2 or More Dependents, they will be paid the difference in cash

Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Dental Insurance :

Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory

City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee

Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Vision Insurance :

Choice of two VSP plans

City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee

Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) :

City contributes $100.00 a month toward employee's VEBA account

Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)

Life Insurance :

City pays for $25,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage

Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment

Additional optional insurance may be purchased by the employee for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and / or dependent children

State Disability Insurance (SDI) :

Employee pays 1.2% of gross pay (includes Paid Family Leave)

7 day waiting period. Weekly paid leave for absences due to non-work related injuries / illnesses. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Paid Family Leave (PFL) :

Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period to care for a family member or to bond with a new child

No waiting period. Weekly paid leave benefit. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Deferred Compensation :

Voluntary plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan) :

Employee may contribute up to $3,300 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account

Employee may contribute up to $5,000 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account

Employee may contribute up to $325 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan

Vacation :

Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service

For 1 - 4 years of service : 10 days (80 hours) / year

For 5 - 9 years of service : 15 days (120 hours) / year

For 10 - 15 years of service : 20 days (160 hours) / year

For 16 - 20 years of service : 22 days (176 hours) / year

For 21 years of service : 24 days (192 hours) / year

Maximum vacation accrual is 400 hours

Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 40 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out the following calendar year

Sick Leave :

Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours per calendar year with no maximum accrual

Up to 48 hours / year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness

Up to 32 hours / year of accumulated sick leave may be used for personal leave

Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per calendar year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)

Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service

Compensatory Time Off (CTO) :

Employees may accrue CTO in lieu of overtime hours up to a maximum of 240 hours

16 hours of PCTO is credited to employees each January 1st (prorated if hired after January 1st)

Holidays :

Fourteen (14) paid eight-hour holidays per year (including Lincoln's Birthday)

Footwear, Safety Clothing, and Tools :

Reimbursement up to $280 / fiscal year for eligible classifications (per MOU)

Night Shift Premium :

5% night differential is available for Electric and Water System Operators and staff at the DVR Power Plant, depending on shift, assignment, and / or other requirements

Tuition Reimbursement Program :

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program :

Confidential counseling to employees and dependents. Up to maximum of five (5) consultations per family member per incident per year

City paid benefit

Retiree Medical Reimbursement Program :

Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.

Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $425 / month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)

After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $254 / month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, omissions, stating "see resume" or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question completely, and in your own words (without the use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, including but not limited to Chat GPT, Microsoft AI, or any other AI tool), and that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

Select how you meet the minimum qualifications :

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and two (2) years of experience in an electric utility performing complex load dispatching and switching.

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and four (4) years of experience in an electric utility as a generating plant or substation operator with sub-dispatching responsibility.

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and four (4) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara Electric Department, including at least one (1) year as an journey-level or higher, electrician or lineman / linewoman.

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and completion of a recognized State of California Electric System Operator apprentice program (attached certification of completion).

I do not meet the minimum qualifications.

Please briefly summarize your electric utility experience and how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Include in your answer the names of the employers and your responsibilities.

Scenario question : There are 60kV lines in your area that are protected with a set of primary and back-up relays and the circuit breakers can be remotely operated. You receive a SCADA alarm indicating a primary protection fail for a 60kV line. The back-up protection for this line has been cut out for maintenance work and cannot be cut-in. How would you proceed?

Please list the following events in the order that you would respond if you only had five minutes left and you are the single system operator on shift and explain your rationale for addressing these issues in the order you identified.

Customers in a 4 block area on the Northside of the system call in with no power.

You receive a SCADA alarm indicating a feeder with 3000 customers has relayed on the Eastside of the system

Public Safety dispatch reports an energized wire down on the Westside of the system

You receive a SCADA alarm indicating a feeder with 1000 customers has relayed on the Eastside of the system. This circuit provides station power for a major transmission station, Station "A".

You lose Station "A" monitoring and control capability

Please answer the scenario questions regarding Lines A, B and C given system conditions. System Conditions : - Line A - Current loading : 100MW Line Rating : 150MW- Line B - Current loading : 75MW Line Rating : 100MW- Line C - Current loading : 50MW Line Rating : 100MWScenario : Line "A" in trips by protective relay distributing the line "A" load over Lines "B" and "C". The load distribution factor for the loss of line "A" is 25% to line "B" and 75% to line "C".a) What is the loading on lines "B" and "C" after the event?b) Are there any concerns with lines "B" and "C"?c) What action, if any, needs to be taken immediately?

You are on shift as a System Operator overseeing the 12kV electric distribution system within the City of Santa Clara. You must write and direct switching to offload 12kv "Circuit A" at "Station A" on to 12kV "Circuit B" at "Station B" and open "Circuit Breaker "A" at "Station A". Stations A & B are approximately 5 miles apart from each other. Both stations are equipped with transformers serving the circuits. Both "Transformer A" and "Transformer B" have automatic underload tap changers that can be controlled by SCADA, have the same impedances and are both loaded to approximately 25MW. There are no capacitor banks on either circuit or substation bus. Pad mount vacuum "Switch 1" is a normally open manually gang operated 3 phase switch that both circuits connect to and is the chosen switch to use when paralleling "Circuit A" and "Circuit B". Please answer the questions below for this scenario.Note : "Transformer A" feeds "Circuit Breaker A" that feeds "Circuit A" that is attached to normally open "Switch 1""Transformer B" feeds "Circuit Breaker B" that feeds "Circuit B" that is attached to normally open "Switch 1"a) Please write the switching steps necessary to offload "Circuit A" on to "Circuit B" and open "Circuit Breaker A".b) Switchman Kelly arrives at Switch 1. Please write out proper communication that should occur between Operator 1 (you) and Switchman Kelly when issuing the switching step to operate Switch 1. c) List 3 reasons why load reads are important when directing this type of switching

Required Question

Salary : $183,559 - $234,774

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