This is administrative and supervisory work directing analysis projects and assignments pertaining to the operation, administration and management of the City's water utility. Work involves supervising subordinate analysts and staff engaged in compiling, analyzing, evaluating and interpreting financial, statistical and engineering data relating to water and sewer service systems and developing recommendations to revise utility operating procedures, programs or rate structures. Employees in this class are responsible for conducting contract negotiations and administering and coordinating the activities of firms contracted to perform studies or services concerned with water utility operations or revenue requirements. Contact with departmental managers, administrators, elected officials, government representatives, and consultants to confer on utility revenue requirements and financing mechanisms, operating and service issues, and project proposals and results is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• A position in this class must supervise analysts engaged in either evaluating the utility's revenue requirements and rate structure or performing a wide variety of planning and research projects pertaining to departmental operations and administration.
• Only two positions will be allocated to this class in the Water Department.

• Assigns, directs and coordinates projects, programs and assignments of a staff engaged in analyzing departmental operations, facilities, services, or financial requirements; assigns priorities and defines scope of projects and methodologies to be followed; reviews recommendations of subordinates for compliance with policies and sound management principles; studies, analyzes, evaluates and interprets data compiled on the costs and other factors incurred in operating, maintaining and improving a water and sewer utility; reviews budget and service allocations for appropriateness; analyzes customer usage of utility products and services and estimates future usage trends; analyzes projections of revenues to be generated from customer usage and the sale of bonds and other financial instruments: determines adequacy of information gathered by subordinates to support conclusions; reviews and evaluates results of studies and makes appropriate recommendations to departmental management.
• Develops Request For Proposal(RFP) for projects utilizing consultants or contractors; evaluates responses and corrects and adjusts proposals; participates in contract negotiations; directs and coordinates the activities of consultants or contractors performing management and operational reviews or services; compiles and reviews data and expenses on contracted operations and services; reviews reports and invoices prepared and submitted by consultants.
• Analyzes legislation to determine impact on department operations or revenue; prepares position papers and responses to legislation.
• Plans, assigns and reviews the work of a group of subordinates engaged in gathering data relating to the cost of providing utility services and customer usage of the utility; evaluates existing rate structure to determine if required revenues will be produced; prepares revisions to rate structure; coordinates development of water and sewer charges with operating personnel and arranges for their implementation.
• Compiles all materials presented at public hearings on rate increases; prepares advertisements and public notifications of public hearings; prepares press releases describing changes in rate structure and justifications for changes; prepares regulations to enact changes in rate structure; presents testimony in court during legal challenges; develops rate structures for suburban customers of water and sewer products and services; negotiates contracts with suburban customers and the department.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles and practices of public administration.
• economic, financial and statistical analysis principles and practices as applied to the management of a public utility.
• practices and techniques of administrative and operational analysis.
• the principles and practices of public utility financing and development of rate structures.
• principles and techniques used in developing projections of revenues for a utility.
• principles, practices and techniques of project planning and management.

ABILITY TO:

• direct and participate in analytical studies.
• assemble, analyze, interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• prepare, edit and interpret technical, statistical reports.
• negotiate contract terms.
• formulate new or alternative strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinates engaged in performing operational, financial and management analyses.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, governmental administration, business administration, finance, economics or a related field.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience conducting operational or cost analysis and research projects for a large government, commercial, industry or service organization.

• Two years of administrative experience in a supervisory capacity conducting analysis projects which has included analyzing and evaluating costs of operations, revenue requirements and financing mechanisms for a public utility.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP24
Class Established: 3/1953

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 6/1997 ; Ad Board - 9/1997

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