Material Specialist I (Entry Level)

The intent of this job posting is to establish a eligibility list which may be used to fill current and future, permanent and limited-term positions, for up to two (2) years, at our East Campus (Bradshaw & Kiefer) and Fresh Pond locations. You must clearly demonstrate, on your resume, that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required in the minimum qualifications listed in this posting. The most qualified candidates will be invited to the examination.

Practical/Performance Exam Details:

• The performance examination is tentatively scheduled to be held Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.
• Exams are strictly PASS/FAIL, results will be sent to each applicant approximately two weeks from the exam date.

Please Note: All communications regarding this hiring process will be via email. SMUD is not responsible for mail that is directed to your junk mail inbox so please be sure to add SMUD to your safe senders list.

SMUD offers testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). An individual with a disability under applicable laws is defined as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity, such as working, or who suffers from certain medical illnesses. To substantiate eligibility, a candidate may be required to provide medical certification of having a disability. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation that will allow you to complete the examination and/or interview process, please reach out directly to SMUDrecruiter@smud.org at your earliest convenience. All requests must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the examination date.

Please be prepared to respond to the following questions within your application:

1. What experience do you have managing inventory? Please include specific examples, including the types of inventory managed, and the systems or tools you utilized.
2. What experience do you have using computer or software to perform work functions? Please detail the specific software or systems you've used, the nature of your work, how long you've used these tools, and any notable achievements or challenges faced.
3. Describe your experience working in or around construction or logistics equipment/tools. Include any certifications or training you have related to this work.

Purpose

This series is assigned to Operations Support and performs supply chain processes for material management, i.e., warehouse, data entry, material reporting and analysis, inventory, material handling and crane operations, and shipping and receiving. This is the entry and/or beginning level within the job series. Incumbents learn and assist in performing the work as determined by the Supervisor. Supervision is generally close, however, as the incumbents learns, the more routine assignments may demand little immediate supervision. This position performs all the responsible tasks associated with SMUD’s Material Logistics Process. This process includes the work involved in the timely and accurate receiving, storage, staging, issuing, loading, delivery, salvage and inventory control of SMUD material and equipment. This class encompasses work previously performed by the Material Handler.

Nature and Scope

Level I is considered an apprenticeship class, whereby incumbents are expected to progress from the entry to the journey level, Level II, within 24 months. After successful completion of formal and on-the-job training and upon successful attainment and proficiency in the duties of Material Specialist I, incumbent will progress to Material Specialist II. Material Specialist III is the senior journey level and performs the more complex and difficult assignments. Each level is differentiated from the other by the supervision received, complexity, difficulty and level of tasks assigned, decision-making authority and technical knowledge required. Level IV is the “Team Lead” and is a working Team Lead responsible for managing and scheduling all work activities and improvement of the business processes. Level IV has greater decision-making authority, in-depth technical knowledge, short- and long-term planning, major project management and lead level responsibilities. Level III and IV are promotional opportunities that require a test and interview. Employees do not progress to these levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives, logs, stores, stages and issues material and supplies.
• Sorts and identifies returned material from the field.
• Operates material handling equipment such as forklifts, delivery trucks, lift gates, pallet jacks, banding machines, tugs, and front loader tractors.
• Verifies quantities and quality of material receipts and shipment.
• Uses Microsoft Office Suite in day-to-day activities.
• Learns and utilizes SMUD computerized inventory system (SAP) through daily input, inquiry, and research on both desktop CPU and handheld devices.
• Loads material and makes deliveries to the field, as well as, deliveries to interoffice locations.
• Picks-up material from the field as well as from vendors.
• Uses hand operated and specialized tools as required.
• Learns and utilizes proper storage practices for hazardous materials.
• Uses material tie downs for the safe transporting of materials and equipment.

Required Experience & Education Qualifications

Ability to pass an entry-level examination/interview process.

Knowledge Of

SMUD safety procedures and ability to apply them in area of Material Logistics process (this includes knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safe and proper handling/storage of hazardous material and safe operation of material handling equipment); basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division); modern warehouse management 'best practices' for computerized inventory systems, bin control, bin/material labeling, warehouse storage, space allocation and material recovery operations; inventory control methods for cycle counting; and, business computer applications such as, word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail/scheduling.

Skills To

Provide excellent customer service; perform basic math calculations; write neatly and clearly; read and understand written and oral instructions; work safely alone or as a member of a team; work effectively and efficiently under general guidance, alone or as a member of a team to complete assigned work and resolve daily problems; and, in performance of this work, a Material Specialist must be capable of safely operating material handling equipment such as forklifts, delivery trucks, lift gates, pallet jacks, banding machines tugs, and front loader tractors.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years). A Class “A” driver’s license may be required (and in addition, the position may require a hazardous materials and tanker endorsements) within six (6) months of hire. Candidates appointed to positions requiring the possession/retention of a Class “A” driver’s license must undergo an initial drug and alcohol screen and submit to random drug and alcohol screens as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); Hazardous Materials Certification; Crane Operator Certification.

Desirable Qualifications

• Any formal/on-the-job training OJT education in material management, warehousing or inventory control.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.