Class Description

Bargaining Unit: Office and Clerical Employee Unit
Salary Code: 19
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Nonexempt
Effective Date: March 1, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision of the Supervisor of Customer Accounting, assists in directing and coordinating the activities of the Customer Accounting Department related to the distribution of water including ordering, delivery, billing and record keeping activities for water user accounts and maintaining profitable relationships.

The Senior Customer Service Representative provides supervision of Customer Service Representatives, is responsible for and will perform the most complex duties related to planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the daily activities of the Customer Service Representatives, and is required to be knowledgeable and trained in all procedures related to this department.  The ability to work with water information management systems, communicate effectively and transmit information to subordinates, superiors and the public is required.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information listed below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for positions in this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

1. Plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the daily activities of the Customer Service Representatives, and advises on difficult problems and recommends improvements in workflow and procedures.
2. Resolves work problems, interprets and applies District policies and guidelines for the customer accounting function as they pertain to water allocation, ordering, delivery, and billing and record keeping activities.
3. Selects, trains, and evaluates staff.  Assign projects and reviews completed and ongoing work.
4. Coaches and counsels staff as needed.  Monitors performance and provides feedback on a continuous basis and completes annual performance evaluations.
5. Advises water users of policies, rules, procedures, and legal requirements relating to the delivery of water.
6. Makes recommendations regarding curtailment or termination of water service due to system constraints or violations of District regulations.
7. Prepares clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
8. Reviews and approves employee timesheets within the Department.
9. Reviews and applies Reclamation law, legislation, and other authoritative guidelines as appropriate.
10. Reviews software applications and works with Information Technology on Departmental needs in order to service customers.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combinationof education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

Completion of one (1) year of college (30) semester units including course work in business administration, accounting, agriculture, or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience in a technical position performing customer service accounting work involving spreadsheet and/or database development/analysis, accounting work or related work in a water district or public utility, or any combination thereof.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of water district or utility operations and billing procedures.
• Principles and practices of basic accounting and record keeping.
• Algebra and basic geometry.
• Computer, software, and data applications as applied to customer accounting and record keeping.
• Reclamation law as it applies to land eligibility and water pricing.
• Federal and state laws applicable to deliveries of agricultural, municipal, and industrial water.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• The form, purpose, and use of land descriptions.
• Agricultural and irrigation practices.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning financial and customer records.
• Principles and techniques of supervision.

Skills/Abilities to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply department policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and effectively using a telephone and two-way radio equipment.
• Maintain a high degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, and exercise sound judgment.
• Apply mathematical computations.
• Gather data, verifying information, and preparing and maintaining detailed accurate, and complex records.
• Manage multiple competing tasks of relatively equal priority and consistently meet changing and challenging deadlines.
• Write clear, concise email, reports, memoranda and instructions with technical accuracy using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Ability to work with water information management systems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels and with the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time up to 30 pounds.
• Possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job.
• May work hours other than normal work schedule.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.

Bargaining Unit: Office and Clerical Employee Unit
Salary Code: 17
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Nonexempt
Revision Date: December 16, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision of the Supervisor of Procurement and Fleet Services, Under general supervision of the Supervisor of Procurement and Fleet Services, procures materials, supplies, services, equipment and performs clerical work related to the purchasing records. Buyer is a single position classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

1. Reviews and evaluates Purchase Requests for quality, suitability, budget coding, and quantity of materials, supplies, and equipment.
2. Prepares and reviews Purchase Requests for clarification and adherence to District policies and procedures.
3. Places orders to purchase standard and non-standard materials, supplies, and equipment and assists in the follow-up on contracts for materials, supplies, and equipment.
4. Tracks and expedites purchase orders and ensures accurate delivery dates and receipt of shipments.
5. Confers with District departments and corresponds with vendors regarding quality, cost, terms, delivery, discounts, or transportation of ordered materials; adjusts orders when errors occur.
6. Locates sources of supply, performs price and cost analysis, evaluates quality and suitability of supplies and materials. Recommends diversified sources for purchasing materials, supplies, and equipment.
7. Evaluates problems, makes recommendations, and represents the District in a professional manner while resolving vendor related inquiries.
8. Prepares, administers, and monitors District budgets.
9. Provides purchasing, planning and control information by collecting, reviewing, and summarizing data and trends.
10. Prepares reports, correspondence, and statistical data; maintains records and files.
11. Represents the District at various meetings and/or appointments.
12. Interviews and evaluates vendors and acquires catalogs and other literature, as necessary, regarding product quality, prices, and new or changing products.
13. Prepares materials and evaluates informal bids.
14. Coordinates with the District’s General Accounting department to resolve invoice disputes, validate vendor invoices, and follow-up/request invoices from vendors.
15. Monitors vendor and contractor insurance certificates and requests renewal as needed
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience: Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

Completion of one (1) year of college (30 semester units), including course work in purchasing, public or business administration, or related field, and three (3) years of experience in a responsible position performing activities in purchasing supplies, inventory control, and procurement work experience that included; preparing, reviewing, and/or evaluating, requisitions, bids, and/or contracts, or any combination thereof;

OR

Four (4) years’ experience performing administrative support; clerical, technical, paraprofessional work that involved the knowledge, interpretation, and application of policies, rules, regulations, and procedures calling for interaction with vendors/contractors, the public, staff at various organizational levels or representatives from other agencies or organizations.

Knowledge of:

• Procedures, techniques, and legal aspects of purchasing a variety of materials.
• The identification, use, and lot sizes commonly used in purchasing materials and supplies.
• Standard price and purchasing reference sources.
• Specification and contract writing.
• Accounting and statistics as applied to purchasing.
• Computer applications in the performance of duties and responsibilities.
• Department practices, policies, and procedures necessary to complete work assigned.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.

Skills/Abilities to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply department policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Effectively and independently manage multiple work assignments, set priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Develop and maintain records and files.
• Review detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Maintain a high degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, loyalty, accountability, creativity, and good judgment.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels and with the public.
• Operate a District vehicle observing legal and defense driving practices.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Moderate lifting of supplies and materials up to 50 pounds.
• Possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job, including sitting, kneeling, standing, and walking on uneven ground.
• Faced with interruptions and noisy work environment.
• Exposure to computer screens.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.
• Ability to type 35 WPM.

Bargaining Unit: Miscellaneous Non-Supervisory Unit
Salary Code: 20
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Nonexempt
Effective Date: September 30, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision of the Supervisor of Civil and Preventive Maintenance, plans, directs, schedules, and coordinates the work of maintenance workers and equipment operators, performs construction, maintenance, and repair work related to operation and maintenance of water distribution and drainage facilities and properties.

The Senior Civil Maintenance worker is the advanced journey level classification in the Civil & Preventive Maintenance Department. This position will perform and lead the more complex and difficult field maintenance duties and operate heavy equipment in the most challenging work situations. This position will provide technical and functional supervision over assigned staff and will be knowledgeable and trained in all procedures related to assigned area.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

1. Ensures safe work procedures and practices, which includes properly training employees, equipping, establishing, and maintaining safe work areas.
2. Excavates, repairs, and replaces various types of concrete, transite, steel, and plastic pipelines up to 13 feet in diameter, including rigging techniques for lifting loads.
3. Selects, trains, and evaluates staff. Assign projects and reviews completed and ongoing work.
4. Coaches and counsels staff as needed. Monitors performance and provides feedback on a continuous basis and completes annual performance evaluations.
5. Inspects, repairs, and replaces air relief, butterfly, check, gate, and slide gate valves up to 66 inches in diameter.
6. Lays out, grades, forms, reinforces, places, finishes, and repairs concrete pedestal slabs, foundations, canal panels, thrust blocks, pipe repair blocks, retaining walls, and precast and casts-in-place structures.
7. Constructs, modifies, and maintains concrete block, wood, and metal frame buildings, including site preparation, framing, drywall, sheet metal, cyclone fence, air line, sewer line, HVAC, flooring, paint, and trim work.
8. Directs the work of heavy equipment to rough and finish grade as required to construct and maintain canals, roads, embankments, pads, reservoirs, and excavations.
9. Implements procedures for confined space entry, the use of hazardous materials, and crane and heavy equipment safety.
10. Schedules work and coordinates jobs with, and requests assistance from, other departments, divisions, and outside services.
11. Performs general inspection of equipment and facilities.
12. Approves and submits completed work orders, as-built drawings, pipeline entry permits, and equipment usage reports at job completion.
13. Assists in the preparation of the department’s annual budget.
14. Operates District vehicles and/or equipment observes legal and defensive driving practices.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

Possess a United States high school diploma or GED, and five (5) years of experience in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water pipelines, canals, and water distribution and drainage facilities.

Note: One (1) year experience as an Operations and Maintenance Trainee with
Westlands Water District will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Knowledge of:

• The applicable safety and accident prevention procedures of the California Safety and Health Act.
• The applicable California General Industrial Safety Orders.
• Advanced methods and practices of installing, repairing, and maintaining water distribution systems.
• Methods, tools, techniques, and materials used in the construction, maintenance, repair, and cleaning of irrigation systems.
• Pipeline plan and profile drawings.
• Civil and mechanical construction and installation drawings.
• Rigging and loading techniques.
• Principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training.

Skills/Abilities to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply department policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Prepare oral and written instructions.
• Read and interpret pipeline plans and profile drawings.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels as well as with the public.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment is desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Heavy lifting of supplies and materials up to 100 pounds.
• Use of hazardous materials.
• Possess the physical strength and agility to work outdoors under adverse climatic conditions.
• Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, and/or weed abatement chemicals.
• May stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, sit, stand, and walk for extended period.
• May be required to respond to emergency calls on a 24 hour-a-day basis.
• Possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job, including the ability to climb stationary ladders up to 100 feet in height, work suspended above ground level (approximately 45 feet) in a bosun chair or aerial lift, and work in confined spaces such as in excavations (approximately 20 feet below ground level), buried dewatered pipelines and manifolds (ranging in size from 3 feet to 13 feet in diameter), and dewatered sumps and turnout facilities (approximately 30 feet below ground level).

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.
• Possess a valid California Class A Driver’s License with air brake endorsements or obtained the license and endorsements within twelve (12) months of assignment.

Bargaining Unit: At Will
Salary Code: Band B
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Effective Date: August 26, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction of the General Manager, plans, organizes, and directs the District’s external affairs. The Deputy General Manager – External Affairs works with the management team to support the Board of Directors’ policies, develops and implements the District’s strategic plan, and manages the District’s communications, outreach, and public affairs efforts. The position facilitates correlation between the District and its Board of Directors, other governmental agencies, legislative bodies, commercial, non-profit, public policy organizations, and the general public. This is an “at-will” position that serves at the discretion of the General Manager.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information listed below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

1. Develops and implements the District’s water policy and public affairs goals and objectives.
2. Oversees government affairs, legislative and lobbying activities:
3. Advises the District on regulatory efforts at the State and Federal level.
4. Oversees and manages the District’s public affairs department including managing outreach to the San Joaquin Valley Farmers, local communities, and public on District Matters.
5. Oversees and manages the District’s science efforts.
6. Provides leadership and management to a diverse group of professional and technical members.
7. Develops, implements, and monitors performance measures for external affairs.
8. Develops and administers the annual budget for external affairs.
9. Provides professional advice and assistance to the General Manager, management, board members and other departments on public information, media relations, community outreach, member agency communication, internal communication, and related matters.
10. Speaks before local, state, and federal agencies on legislative and other policy matters.
11. Develops and implements the District’s strategic plan.
12. Carries out special projects as assigned by the General Manager.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Agricultural, Environmental, or a related field and at least eight (8) years of recent progressively responsible experience as a legislative analyst, lobbyist, program manager, or similar related work in the public sector, water industry, or a public utility, including at least three (3) years that must have included supervision of professional and technical staff.

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, project management, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles, practices, and techniques used in the conduct of an effective public information and publicity program for a water district.
• Principles, practices, and procedures related to media relations, reporting, and news writing.
• Practices, theories, methods, and techniques of public policy development and public affairs.
• Practices, theories, methods, and techniques used in the design, administration, and evaluation of water use efficiency programs.
• Organizational practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned division and the District.
• Practices of researching program issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Local, state, and federal policies and regulations related to water resources management for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.
• Principles and practices of management, supervision, and budgeting.
• The operation of computer systems and equipment.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Techniques for effectively representing the District in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations, and various media.
• Principles of National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act and Endangered Species Act compliance requirements.
• Water conservation and management practices including plant-soil-water relationships.
• Word processing, spreadsheet, and database software applications

Skills/Abilities to:

• Organize, interact, communicate and manage staff and sensitive situations.
• Understand local, state, federal, District and legislative processes.
• Represent District policies, programs, and services effectively with employees, contractors, representatives, or other agencies and the public.
• Conduct highly complex problem-solving related to administrative, regulatory, and legislative law in area of expertise.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both written and oral, to a wide variety of audiences.
• Prepare detailed complex oral and written communications on a wide variety of issues.
• Understand and accurately interpret complex rules, regulations, laws, legislation, policy, and guidelines affecting public agencies, particularly water agencies.
• Plans, researches, organizes, reviews, and evaluates complex interrelated services.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative and effective working relationships with a variety of representatives of public and private organizations, board members, local, state, and federal legislative representatives, District staff and the general public.
• Maintain and exhibit discretion and integrity when handling sensitive information.
• Manage complex projects involving multi teams and requiring coordination and collaboration with external agencies and high-level executive managers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job.
• Work hours other than normal work schedule.
• Travel occasionally by airplane and automobile.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.

Bargaining Unit: At Will
Salary Code: Brand A
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Effective Date: February 13, 2018

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under direction of the General Manager, assists the General Manager in planning, organizing, and directing the District’s activities and operations, including operations & maintenance, finance administration, accounting, and human resources.  Under direction of the Board of Directors, in coordination with the General Manager, performs a broad range of staff legal work, represents the District on legal matters before a variety of governmental agencies and tribunals, performs a wide variety of legal research, provides senior management with effective legal advice or opinion and their implementation, research, studying, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, and court decisions; provides expert legal advice in the specialized area of water law which may be exceptionally difficult and sensitive.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

Assistant General Manager/General Counsel is a managerial classification appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The individual in this class will assist the General Manager in the performance of his/her responsibilities, including representing the District on matters of state and federal policy, and will be responsible for ensuring the District operates in compliance of the law. This individual will manage all legal matters to prevent the District’s profile and its employee’s reputation on risk of exposure to the public

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

1. Represents the District in matters involving state and federal water policy.
2. Provides legal advice or opinion to management and the Board of Directors and on the legal effect of rules, regulations, proposed legislation, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions.
3. Provide legal advice or opinion related to the definition and development of District policies, procedures and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters. Serve as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joining ventures.
4. Respond to legal correspondence; conduct special investigations involved in the enforcement of laws and District policies, rules and regulations.
5. Judge the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the District, work with the appropriate senior staff to define strategic defense and approve settlements of disputes where warranted.
6. Develop proposed legislation; testify before legislative committees, prepare or assist in preparing cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents such as memoranda, digests, summaries, and reports.
7. Assist in the preparation of or prepare cases which may result in litigation before boards, commissions, hearing officers, administrative law judges, or trial or appellate courts.
8. Structure and manage the District’s legal functions and legal staff; including but not limited to, selection, retention, management, and evaluation of Deputy General Counsel and all outside counsel.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree, current membership in the California State Bar and demonstrate years of increasingly responsible experience as an attorney or courtroom environment. A clear and comprehensive understanding of legal matters in water law.

Knowledge of:

• Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.
• Existing state and federal water policy.
• California statutory and constitutional law, government codes, and federal reclamation laws.
• State and federal legislative processes.
• Principles, methods, materials and practices of Legal research.
• Court procedures, principles of administrative and Constitutional law.
• Conduct and proceedings in trial and appellate courts and before administrative bodies.
• The principles and practices of public personnel administration.

Skills/Abilities to:

• Analyze legal principles and apply those to the most difficult and complex legal and administrative issues.
• Perform research, analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal issues.
• Present statements of fact, law and argument orally and in writing in clear and logic form.
• Prepare the most complex and difficult opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation.
• Conduct the most complex and sensitive in nature legislation and legal work.
• Establish and maintain the liaison with legislative and other governmental bodies.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws to the administration of District policies, programs, contracts, and services.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job.
• Work hours other than normal work schedule.
• Travel frequently at times by airplane and automobile.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Membership in the State Bar of California
• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider is required.