Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established March 8, 1994

Scope

This series specification describes five Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer classes used within the Department of Water Resources. These classes perform a broad range of difficult engineering work for the State Water Project related to the electric utilities field and/or operation of maintenance of pumping and generating equipment.

Definition of Series

Classes in this series perform a broad range of staff and management work related to the operation and maintenance of the State Water Project. Incumbents in all levels apply engineering, economic, and management principles for the planning, operation and maintenance, power acquisition and marketing, administration and management of contracts and other related tasks required to maintain the State Water Project. Assignments will be made in both field division and headquarters locations. Incumbents may appear before committees, boards and commissions, and prepare departmental memoranda and technical reports.

The scope of electric utility activities within the State Water Project include one or more of the following: engineering studies to determine the potential market for electric power, methods for purchasing or supplying power, and power load growth and power rates; negotiate, prepare, manage and administer bulk power and transmission contracts required for the efficient and economical operation of the State Water Project; provide power information to others in the Department; and make preliminary plans, designs and cost estimates of power transmission systems for hydroelectric generating and pumping plants.

The scope of operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment activities within the State Water Project include one or more of the following: provide engineering support related to the operation and maintenance of the electrical and mechanical features of hydroelectric generating and pumping plants; provide specialized machinery testing services; analyze electrical protection, metering, and control circuits; prepare and update technical documentation, procedures, manuals, drawings, and schematics; develop plans for plant modifications and improvements; compile and analyze machinery performance data; review plans and specifications and provide operations and maintenance criteria to design; investigation of equipment failures and analyzing machinery or circuitry troubles.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically through the classes of Electrical Engineer, Range B; or Mechanical Engineer, Range B.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope of responsibility, complexity of work, independence of action, supervisory and management responsibilities, impact of decisions and consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Associate Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

This is the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform difficult engineering work relating to the electric utilities field and/or operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment, and other related work.

Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Specialist)

This is the staff specialist level responsible for conducting assignments which are difficult, controversial, require a high level of specialized expertise or unique technical knowledge and skills relating to: analysis of electric resource requirement and/or making recommendations to management for specific arrangements for acquisition of power supply or exchanges best suited for the operation of the State Water Project, negotiate with high level electric utility representatives for power purchase, sale or exchange agreements; prepare documents and/or testimony regarding power-related activities and present to regulatory agencies; provide guidance to field maintenance personnel about highly specialized maintenance, repair, or testing technologies or for complex database of management information system to improve availability and reliability of hydroelectric plants, machinery, equipment and apparatus; prepare unique procedures and conduct specialized diagnostic, predictive and/or corrective tests for hydroelectric plant machinery, equipment and apparatus using state-of-the-art test equipment; review hydroelectric plant machinery, equipment and apparatus for obsolescence and selecting appropriate replacements; coordinate retrofitting/replacement effort for the Operations and Maintenance Division.

Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Supervisor)

This is the first supervisory level of the class series. Under general direction, incumbents are working supervisors and plan, organize, direct, and evaluate professional and technical staff.

Incumbents represent the Department in the most difficult and complex major power transmission contract negotiations; provide information and assistance in the development of power policy; develop projectwide operation and maintenance policies and strategic plans for hydro plant facilities and power system operation.

Supervising Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

This is the second supervisory level. Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize, coordinate, and direct activities in the electric utilities field and/or operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment.

Principal Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

This is the managerial level. Incumbents plan, organize, direct, and manage activities in the electric utilities field and/or operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment; and do other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Graduation from college with major work in electrical, electronic, mechanical, or civil engineering. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Associate Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

Either I

Two years of engineering experience in the electric utilities field and/or in the operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment at the Electrical Engineer, Range B, or Mechanical Engineer, Range B, level in California state service.

Or II

Three years of engineering experience in the electric utilities field and/or in the operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment, at least two years of which shall have been comparable in responsibility to that of an Electrical Engineer, Range B, or Mechanical Engineer, Range B, in California state service.

Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Specialist)

Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Supervisor)

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of an Associate Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer in California state service.

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible engineering experience in the electric utilities field and/or in the operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment, at least two years of which shall have been comparable in responsibility to that of an Associate Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer.

Supervising Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of either a Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Specialist) or Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Supervisor) in California state service.

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible engineering experience in the electric utilities field and/or in the operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment, two years of which shall have been comparable in responsibility to that of either a Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Specialist) or Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Supervisor).

Principal Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

Either I

Two years of experience at the Supervising Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer in California state service.

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible engineering experience in the electric utilities field and/or in the operation and maintenance of pumping and generating equipment, at least two years of which shall have been comparable in responsibility to that of a Supervising Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of the following: Engineering theory and practices relating to power generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing; electric utility operation and management; functions, responsibilities, and procedures of regulatory and government agencies including the Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the California Energy Commission, in the electric utility field; planning, design, construction, and operation of major generating plants, power transmission systems and pumping plants; methods of determining the optimum capacity and energy output of generating plants; power marketing and economics, including the market for and value of electric power, methods of marketing power and rates, agreements; operating, maintaining and testing of electrical and mechanical equipment and systems for plants, switchyards, reservoir outlets and aqueduct control features; environmental issues and policies; unit operating and loading procedures and criteria; standards of the American National Standards Institute, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers; instrumentation and control circuitry and electrical protection; servo systems and governors; bearings; lubrication; metal working; machining and welding; nondestructive examination; alignment and balancing of rotating machinery including vibration measurement; methods of maintenance, repair, and testing; power system operation and control; power system studies, load flow, stability, and fault analyses.

Ability to: Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare clear and concise reports; prepare procedures and manuals; make feasibility studies; interpret, prepare and revise electrical and mechanical drawings and schematics and relay and control logic diagrams; assist and advise others on maintenance and repair procedures, materials, tools; negotiate, administer, and coordinate contracts such as for maintenance, repair, testing, and consultation; conduct and coordinate special test activities; use personal computers.

Senior Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer (Supervisor)

Supervising Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

Principal Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, principles and practices of effective supervision, management, and organization; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program, and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives; and Department policies.

Ability to: In addition to the above, plan, organize, and direct the work of an engineering staff; prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence; establish and maintain effective public relations; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Additional Desirable Qualification

All Levels:

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a professional engineer.

Class History