Journey Level Utilities System Operator

Job Description:

Journey Level Utilities System Operator

Description

Description

Support Critical Utilities Operations as a Journey-Level System Operator

The City of Palo Alto is seeking an experienced Journey-level Utilities System Operator to oversee the operation of the City’s municipal utility system. In this role, you will serve as the central point of control for Utilities Operations, requiring detailed knowledge of electric voltage regulation, load allocation, and system monitoring. In addition to system operations, you will assist customers by handling service-related inquiries and complaints professionally, and coordinate switching activities with individual customers as needed.

The selected candidate will be responsible for monitoring the status of the City's electric, water, and gas transmission and distribution systems using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, meters, and other operational equipment.

Key duties include:

• Coordinating switching activities on transmission and distribution lines and substations with City personnel, customers, and power suppliers.
  
• Issuing switching orders and clearances in accordance with established operating procedures.
  
• Maintaining system control and directing personnel and equipment to resolve issues and restore service during emergency conditions.
  
• Communicating clearly and professionally when reporting system failures, disturbances, and unusual conditions.
  
• Maintaining accurate system logs, outage databases, and customer count data.
  
• Updating wall maps, block maps, and GIS system data.
  
• Training others on switching and dispatching procedures.
  

The Utilities System Operator position follows a non-traditional schedule, including night and weekend shifts. This role is part of a 24/7 operation and requires participation in a rotating shift schedule as part of a six-person team.

Ideal Candidate:

• Journey-level experience in electric distribution system operations
• Working knowledge of protective relays and system coordination
• Completion of a recognized apprenticeship or equivalent training program
• A strong foundation in electrical theory and safety practices
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and SAP or similar enterprise systems
• Experience operating SCADA systems for real-time system monitoring and control
• Effective communication skills with crews, customers, and the general public
• Detail oriented and a strong commitment to customer service and operational excellence
• Availability to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays in a 24/7 environment
• A demonstrated commitment to safety, reliability, and teamwork

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package! To learn more, click Here.

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click Here.

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

More than one position may be filled through this posting.

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Issues emergency and routine switching orders based on loading limits of high voltage lines and other equipment; receives clearance requests and determines removal from and placement in service of Electric transmission and distribution of equipment.
• Receives, troubleshoots, prioritizes and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment for all emergency and non - emergency calls for the Electric, Water and Gas Systems during business hours and for the Electric, Water, Gas, Street/Traffic lights and any other City services during non-business hours.
• Maintains logs and other Electric, Water and Gas system reports. Updates all prescribed Electric databases and mapping systems with real-time changes including updated asset data that affect the operation and troubleshooting of the Electric Network. All changes are to be validated by operators on subsequent shifts based on departmental standards and established practices.
• Issues clearances on electrical equipment and power lines for testing and other work; coordinates the activities of various units in placing equipment into service; maintains radio and phone contact with field units at all times, or makes frequent checks of SCADA for indication of system trouble and maintains wall map by placing and shifting colored and coded indicators.
• Directs appropriate Water and Gas field personnel performing lockout/tag out procedures.
• Monitors the Water and Gas System SCADA to detect abnormal conditions; performs operations or adjustments to correct such abnormalities or refers the problems to specialized maintenance personnel.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of reported problems to the City’s traffic signals, COAX, fiber optic and communications systems, and other equipment related to Traffic Signals/COAX department.
• Reports alarms received on the Fiber Optic monitoring system to the Supervisor of Traffic Signals/COAX or the department standby person.

For full job description, click Here.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Graduation from high school. Successful completion of a System Dispatch Training Program is desirable.
  
• Three (3) years of journey level experience with an electric utility: As a System Operator, or performing substation maintenance, or performing overhead line construction and maintenance and underground residential distribution (URD), or five (5) years experience with an electric utility requiring knowledge of electrical transmission and distribution systems, equipment and operation.
  
• Completion of a recognized, related apprenticeship and attainment of journey person status.
  

Special Requirements:

• Willingness and/or ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays and weekends on a system operating 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Freedom from color blindness.
• Normal hearing.
• May be required to work outside their regular scheduled hours, to be available for emergency and/or additional work.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record as a condition of initial and continued employment.

Supplemental Information

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and may be invited to interview at any time as qualified (Journey Level) candidates apply.
• The screening process for this position typically includes a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews and skills assessment preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 6/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$184,600.00 - $226,241.60 Annually