Senior Water and Power Dispatcher
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: PK87
Class Code: 6466
Established: 11/17/1966
Revised: 12/04/1990
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction of a Program Water and Power Dispatcher, supervises the real-time centralized dispatching operation of the State Water Project; supervises implementation of daily preschedule of State Water Project operations; develops application software plans; and does other related work.
Typical Tasks
As a shift supervisor in the State Water Project Operations Center, supervises and directs the dispatching of water and power operation schedules; monitors status of project operations and records data in accordance with prescribed procedures; maintains log of all water and power orders.
As the Prescheduling Unit Specialist, coordinates revisions to the preschedule because of changes in State Water Project water demands, abnormal or emergency services to other agencies and to reduce operating costs by purchasing economy energy and selling energy surplus for the project; coordinates the Department's electric utility operation with other interconnected utilities; has authority for all switching and issuing of clearances and hot line orders on the State Water Project; responsible for removal of project equipment from service; directs field personnel to work overtime to return equipment to service; assigns work to subordinate dispatchers; operates various types of voice and electronic communication devices; supervises the remote control operation of State Water Project equipment when the Project Operations Center is remotely controlling project facilities; trains subordinates; prepares daily preschedule for the next scheduled day, or days in case of weekends and holidays, coordinating the department's generating resources and generating resources owned by others under contract with the department, contacting agencies in the Northwest and Southwest for power sales, including purchases or exchanges to determine most economical use of department facilities; prepares pumping schedule at department facilities to meet water contractor demands based on plant, aqueduct and reservoir limitations; conveys special operating instructions associated with the preschedule to shift dispatchers. As the Senior Water and Power Dispatcher in the Office of the Chief, develops Project Operations Center application software plan and sets priorities for implementing plan; prepares specifications for application software; develops graphic cathode ray tube pages; develops requirements for dispatcher control system and trains dispatching personnel on use of control system.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Water and Power Dispatcher.
Or II
Five years of experience as a shift dispatcher responsible for the overall operation of the substations, generating or pumping plants and either:
1. The transmission systems of a power utility with a minimum of 700 megawatt of installed hydroelectric, pumped storage and/or thermal generating capacity. or
2. The reservoirs and aqueducts of a water utility with a minimum of 250,000 horsepower of installed pumping plant capacity.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles of electric power generation and distribution; features of automatic generation control; capacities and operating characteristics of all hydroelectric generating and pumping plants in the State Water Project system; location, capacity, switching points on power transmission systems within and related to the State system; procedures to follow in emergencies; capabilities of other interconnecting power agencies; sources and contractual limitations of available power and water; protective systems and their operation; switching procedure; operation and routing of water through aqueduct, pumping plant, hydroelectric power plant, reservoir, check gate, and turnout systems; water and power metering devices and systems; digital computer equipment used in scheduling; principles of hydraulics and operation of water storage, conveyance and distribution systems; operation and application of communication systems and data link equipment used in the State Water Project; interconnected power system operation as it applies to benefits, obligations, responsibilities, authority, frequency, interchange, reservoirs, mutual assistance and communication; modern power system control aids; theory and use of application programs in normal and emergency operation; alternative control methods during equipment and program unavailability; principles of effective supervision.
Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; operate automated control systems; plan and direct the work of others; analyze situations quickly and accurately and take effective action; write reports; train subordinate personnel.
Special Personal Characteristics
Normal hearing.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
