REPORT TO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Modify the Electric Utility Generation Technician (Job Code 431) Examination Weighting Plan to 100% Oral Examination and a Qualifying Supplemental on an Ongoing Basis
Report
ACTION AND AUTHORITY
The Human Resources Department is requesting Commission approval to modify the examination weighting plan for Electric Utility Generation Technician (Job Code 431) on an ongoing basis. This request is based on the authority of Civil Service Rule 3.1, “The Commission shall determine whether the examination shall consist of a written, oral, or performance, or psychological, investigative, physical test, or any combination thereof, and shall indicate the procedure in the announcement.”
The Electric Utility Generation Technician (Job Code 431) is responsible to ensure that for all of the City of Santa Clara’s electric generation power plants, that all of the systems and sub-systems are operated and maintained in an efficient, effective, and a safe manner.
DISCUSSION
The Human Resources Department recommends modifying the examination weighting plan for Electric Utility Generation Technician (Job Code 431) on an ongoing basis. Currently, the examination weighting plan consists of 50% oral examination and 50% qualifying written examination. The proposed modification is to make the examination weighting a 100% oral examination with a qualifying supplemental questionnaire. The Department is requesting the Commission consider this request which will allow additional flexibility in the recruitment process and expand the qualified candidate pool.
The minimum qualifications for the position require a high school diploma or GED and four years of electric generation operation and maintenance experience in a medium sized electric generation power plant or the equivalent is required, two years of which must have been at above the entry-level. The acceptable substitution allows for three years of operations and maintenance level experience above the entry level with work assignments in the City of Santa Clara combined cycle generation facilities to be substituted for the experience requirement.
The written examination assesses written communication, mathematical ability, and general electrical maintenance knowledge. Given the minimum qualifications require experience in a medium sized electric generation power plant or entry level with work assignments in the City of Santa Clara combined cycle generation facilities, these areas of assessment on the written exam are already assessed based on the candidate meeting the minimum qualifications and possess applicable electric generation operation and maintenance experience.
Additionally, the written examination is not assessing generation operation and maintenance ability which would be more relevant for the examination. In order to address the technical abilities normally assessed at the written exam, the Department will ask technical questions on the job application and oral examination which will be evaluated to determine the most competitive applicants to move forward to the next phase of the recruitment process. Additionally, the Department has 12-months to assess the employee’s performance during the probationary period and will use this time to assess the technical knowledge and abilities of the selected applicant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to revise the examination weighing plan other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Civil Service Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve modifying the Electric Utility Generation Technician (Job Code 431) weighting plan to 100% oral examination and qualifying supplemental on an ongoing basis
Staff
Reviewed by: Ashley Lancaster, Acting Assistant Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Marco Mercado, Acting Director of Human Resources