Purpose

To perform analytical studies, develop performance improvement strategies and manage administrative projects in order to improve department operational performance and ensure cost savings for the District.

Nature and Scope

This classification is comprised of two levels: Level E is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level J upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work may include, but is not limited to, the following: (NOTE: While in general all the functions and requirements listed are essential, individual positions and/or locations may not require all duties be performed.)

• Performs consulting services by conducting studies of manual and automated information systems and related programs; coordinating and negotiating input and involvement of several departments when project scope involves multiple departments; documenting work flow, paperwork channels, work methods, procedures and other aspects of systems; analyzing systems to identify inefficiencies; and designing productivity systems and/or preparing recommendations for performance and/or system improvements. To maximize organizational efficiency and reduce costs by improving overall District system effectiveness in services and operations.
• Provides expertise in support of systems benchmarking for anticipated major system implementations, enhancements or modifications by providing documented system specifications; evaluating vendor proposals; recommending appropriate courses of action; and implementing accepted vendor proposals with affected District departments and units. To ensure that RFP, bidding and vendor selection processes result in efficient District system implementations and/or modifications.
• Prepares and presents written and/or oral communication materials which promote concepts and ideas for proposed system and operational changes, report findings of studies and project teams and summarize recommendations which address system solutions for District system users and managers. To promote and ensure acceptance of system proposals and recommended solutions within the District workforce.
• Identifies system operational performance data by researching documented studies and/or benchmark descriptions of systems; developing performance indicators; deriving monitoring schemes or methods for system operation and performance; providing management with documentation of performance indicators and monitoring schemes; and performing audits or reviews of new system/program installations to verify their effectiveness, measure achievement of objectives and validates projected savings. To provide management with data and tools for the measurement of operational systems efficiency and cost effectiveness in support of achieving department objectives.
• Audits or reviews newly installed systems and/or programs for effectiveness, performance, and cost savings by observing system operations; collecting and analyzing statistical and financial data; and measuring system performance using established system monitoring methods and performance indicators. To maintain system assessment and audit services and ensure that installed systems are measured for performance and cost savings in compliance with District continuous improvement and cost reduction objectives.
• Participates in design, development and presentation of training and related materials, which support implementation of system installations and enhancements and improve department information resources and utilization of automated information systems. To maximize organizational efficiency by supporting implementation of changes in organization, systems, policies, procedures and methods to meet District quality standards and goals.
• Develops and interprets District and departmental policies and procedures, maintains the departments policies, practices and procedures manuals and filing systems for controlled documents and coordinates management review, concurrence and approval of new and revised District policies and procedures. To ensure efficient operations by interpreting and promoting awareness and availability of District and department policies, practices and procedures.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in departmental annual budget preparation and ongoing administration by developing and presenting guidance and training to department staff; determining and ensuring classification of expenditures in accordance with federal guidelines; developing management reports containing comparison of analysis of budget content; assisting in development of unit budget and annual and revised program budget presentations for management review; supporting development and utilization of automated systems for budget preparation and analysis; evaluating, comparing and preparing managements reports of actual expenditures to projected budget; and reviewing annual budget reports for adherence to District policies and procedures. To ensure timely, efficient, accurate preparation and reporting of department budgets and effective cost control through maximizing operation of budget and accounting systems and ensuring federal guidelines and FERC chart of accounts.
• Provides quality control in preparation and maintenance of department budgets and reporting by developing and presenting staff training; preparing training and reference manuals for support of budget processes; and communicating budget policies and procedures to department staff. To promote accuracy and integrity in departmental budget preparation, maintenance and reporting in compliance with District policies and procedures and quality standards.
• Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract required. To support the overall achievement and completion of department projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

Required Experience Qualifications

• One or more (1+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in analysis of business and automated information systems, development of productivity improvement and performance monitoring systems, development and application of performance improvement strategies in work environments.

Knowledge Of

Safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards; principles and practices of systems analysis; procedures and practices for cost control and project scheduling; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and strategies for public speaking; District policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements; concepts related to evaluating and recording performance results; methods and techniques for training staff; principles and practices of business systems; principles of statistical and financial accounting policies and systems; District policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements; complex computer systems and resources, electronic records, database administration and development of automated reports; interrelationships between the Districts operations and relevant external entities; methods and techniques for record keeping; modern office practices and procedures; principles, practices and techniques of productivity improvement and related programs; principles of management theory; techniques for data gathering.

Skills To

Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally; interpret District policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and/or other special agreements; design productivity systems; develop performance improvement strategies; develop new and revised policies and procedures to provide for the effective operation of the unit; identify and assess training needs for staff; interact with others to influence and motivate; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; reconcile significant and/or controversial differences to bring interested parties to consensus; evaluate and resolve complex technical or management issues; plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects; monitor and manage projects; analyze procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; analyze situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; develop approaches for implementing an idea; develop an estimation of how a system should work under ideal conditions; identify significant organizational issues, concerns and needs and develop strategies for rectifying them; interpret, clarify, understand and analyze verbal/written information and ideas; prepare a business case to weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; utilize logic and analysis to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches; assist in budget preparation and administration; serve as reference person for other employees; interact with others to influence, motivate and challenge.

Desirable Education

BS/BA degree or some college level coursework in business management, information systems, public administration, organizational development, system theory, or related field or equivalent experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced Excel experience (ability to produce graphs, charts, pivot tables, calculations, and automation)
• Object oriented programming (Python and/or C++ programing experience)
• Good communication skills to collaborate with business partners
• Experience working with complex data
• Database development experience (MS SQL Business Warehouse)
• Experience presenting data using Power Point, Power Bi, and/or Share Point.
• Possess good problem-solving and analytical skills
• SAP knowledge/experience
• Construction process knowledge

Physical Requirements