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Job 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 - Coordinating switching activities on transmission and distribution lines and substations with City personnel, customers, and power suppliers.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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