PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to adopt a resolution revising and re-titling the specification for the classification of Power Systems Superintendent CTC No. 662 to Distribution System Operations Manager CTC No. 0270, as shown in the attachment.

BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has reorganized the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Center so that dispatching and real-time trading/scheduling falls under two distinct work groups, each with its own chain of command.  As a result of these changes, BWP has been able to exert substantially greater control over its power supply costs while continuing to maintain a high level of system reliability and therefore remaining competitive in the current market.

Real-time trading has become an important function, achieving significant reductions in overall power supply costs.  As such, power scheduling and trading now takes place under the direction of the Power Supply Manager rather than under the direction of the Distribution System Operations Manager.

In the early stages of this reorganization, BWP revised the job specifications for the classifications of Power Dispatcher and Senior Power Dispatcher.  Also, as part of this reorganization, BWP created new classifications of Substation Operator.  These revisions and new classification were approved by the Civil Service Board on April 3, 2002 and the City Council on April 15, 2002.

The new classification of Substation Operator is an apprentice-type position that requires taking and passing an examination for Power Dispatcher after a set period of time.  The Power Dispatchers and Senior Power Dispatchers operate a PC network-based SCADA system that can and will enable more sophisticated distribution system control, analysis, and reporting than previous SCADA systems.

These changes place greater training and operational demands on the Distribution System Operations Manager who manages the Distribution Dispatch Section.  This position will no longer manage power scheduling and/or accounting.  It will manage an advanced SCADA system that will enable the dispatchers to conduct more sophisticated outage restorations and other operations.  This position will have a greater responsibility for dispatcher training and will oversee an apprenticeship-like program.  This position also has an assigned cost center and explicit budget and cost control responsibilities..

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact from the revision and re-titling of the specification for the classification of Distribution System Operations Manager because the salary will remain the same as the Power Systems Superintendent.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION

The revisions and re-titling of the specification of Power Systems Superintendent to Distribution System Operations Manager addresses the significant changes to the classification and more clearly reflects the current duties and requirements.

This position will continue to be represented by the Burbank Management Association and the BMA has been advised of these revisions.  The General Manager � BWP concurs with these recommendations.

This position will continue to be a Civil Service position but will be exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.  This position will also continue to be included in the City�s Conflict of Interest Code.

These revisions were approved by the Civil Service Board on October 7, 2003.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the specification for the classification of Power Systems Superintendent CTC No. 662 be revised and re-titled to Distribution System Operations Manager CTC No. 0270, as shown in the attachment.

Judie Sarquiz

Management Services Director

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