UTILITY ANALYST / SENIOR UTILITY ANALYST

SCPPA is a joint powers agency and an independent public entity created in 1980 pursuant to the California Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Cal. Government Code §6500 et seq.) for the purpose of jointly planning, financing, developing, constructing, operating and maintaining projects for the generation or transmission of electric energy. SCPPA’s Members consist of 11 cities and one irrigation district: Anaheim, Azusa, Banning, Burbank, Cerritos, Colton, Glendale, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Riverside, Vernon, and the Imperial Irrigation District. Each Member owns and operates an electric utility serving retail customers within its territorial boundaries. The Members use SCPPA to procure generation, transmission, and fuel resources from projects across several Western States. Collectively, Members serve a population exceeding five million people in five Southern California counties. See SCPPA website for more information: www.scppa.org.

Under general supervision, the Utility Analyst / Senior Utility Analyst performs professional and technical administrative and analytical support, assists in the preparation of the budget, and conducts a variety of analyses. The Utility Analyst / Senior Utility Analyst position is a professional level classification and provides support to the assigned departmental function. The position being recruited will provide support primarily for the Finance and Administration functions and for other departmental functions as needed and will report to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.

Appointment will be made at either level based on experience and qualifications.

Essential Job Functions

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

·        Provide technical and finance related assistance in the operation of SCPPA.

·        Coordinate and assist in the development, preparation, and presentation of the annual administrative and general expense budget.

·        Respond to departments and Members’ inquiries on the administrative and general expense budget and cost allocation plan.

·        Perform various financial analysis.

·        Participate in year-end closing and audit activities.

·        Assist in the preparation of financial information and documents needed for bond issuance.

·        Assist with annual and continuing disclosure requirements on project debt.

·        Conduct special studies by compiling statistical and financial data for financial and operational reports.

·        Assist with the issuance of Request for Proposals and the evaluation, negotiation, and approval of service contracts.

·        Support contract development and management.

·        Assist with the development of analysis, reports, graphic materials, and presentations.

·        Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures, contract management, records retention, and procurement code.

·        Organize department related electronic files for record retention and to allow Members and SCPPA staff to access records and documents.

·        Coordinate between SCPPA Staff, SCPPA-LA, Members and Project Participants.

·        Provide functional support to various SCPPA working groups and committees.

·        Establish business relationships with internal and outside entities including other public utilities, project developers, and regulatory agencies.

·        Work with financial advisors, auditors, and other consultants.

·        Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

·        Utility industry operations and power markets

·        Electric Utility generation, transmission, and distribution system

·        Organization, procedures, and operations of California public utilities

·        Municipal Utility governance and organization

·        Analytical methods and financial modeling

·        Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

·        Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and regulations

·        Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration

·        Utility project accounting including billing, collection, rates, debt servicing, and bond funding

Ability to:

·        Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats

·        Conduct critical thinking and offer credible solutions

·        Analyze complex data

·        Perform technical research and present findings

·        Read and understand contracts and service agreements

·        Explain complex issues in written form that are understandable to affected parties.

·        Manage priorities to ensure the most critical project issues are responded to in a timely manner

·        Establish and maintain effective working relationships with organization staff and outside stakeholders

·        Work independently and in teams

·        Coordinate agency resources and work within strict timeframes

·        Display enthusiasm for new and diverse tasks, including learning new skills and working in cross-functional areas beyond day-to-day responsibilities

Education, Training and Experience:

Utility Analyst: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business or public administration, or other relevant major is required with a minimum of two (2) years of analytical experience. Advanced degree may be substituted for up to one year of experience for the Utility Analyst level.

Senior Utility Analyst: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business or public administration, or other relevant major is required with a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible analytical experience.

Experience in a publicly owned utility or joint powers authority and familiarity with types of electric generation and transmission is preferred. 

The current annual salary range for a Utility Analyst is $81,279 to $97,720 and Senior Utility Analyst is $91,277 to $109,728 depending on experience and qualifications, plus benefits. SCPPA provides retirement benefits through a contract with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Qualified candidates should submit a letter of application, resume and three references to sortiz@scppa.org to the attention of Salpi Ortiz, Administrative Services Manager.

This recruitment is Open Until Filled, with a first review of applications received by October 25, 2024. The filing period may close at any time once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.