Operations Specialist

TITLE: Operations Specialist

LOCATION: 511 Forest Lodge Rd, Suite 100, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

SCHEDULE: Onsite

Primary Role:

The Operations Specialist provides operational, administrative, and analytical support to the District office including the Field and Production departments. This role may include assisting supervision with procurement, scheduling work, completing tasks, communicating with other departments, safety, assisting team members, handling customer inquiries and payments.

Key Accountabilities:

Prepare, analyze, and evaluate reports on a wide variety of items, including variances related to specific department work processes, regulatory requirements, budgets, capital expenditures, work orders, departmental and/or organizational performance, etc.

Provide general administrative support for day-to-day managerial and departmental needs and special projects, which may include but are not limited to, composing correspondence, obtaining permits, preparing and distributing meeting minutes, processing purchasing card and fleet related expenses, initiating purchasing transactions, processing and tracking purchase orders and invoices, document preparation, etc.

Respond to customer inquiries, which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from operations leadership, speaking with customers, and explaining company processes and billing.

Receive and distribute operational workflow requests and work orders.

Enter data and perform analysis in information systems.

Schedule daily operational work based on priority outlined by operations leadership using work management system.

Work collaboratively with other functions to optimize business performance and customer satisfaction.

Reinforce leadership activities and decisions. Contribute to effective communication and culture by listening and providing feedback, supporting an open and honest work environment and cascading, and sharing knowledge and information relevant to employees.

Assist with training and development, knowledge transfer, instilling safe work practices, regulatory and environmental compliance activities.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalency required. Associates level degree in business or related field of study preferred.

Skills:

Demonstrated organizational ability and administrative skills. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize tasks. Effective problem solving and analytical ability.

Knowledge:

Thorough understanding of standard business practices and principles, including basic accounting and budgeting.

Strong knowledge of computers, in-depth knowledge of Microsoft office suite applications and other pertinent software. Knowledge of or ability to learn various American Water systems of record.

Understanding of collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), safety and regulatory requirements.

Prior experience of maintaining and adhering to inventory controls, purchasing and receiving activities.

Knowledge of water or relevant utility industry operations, water and/or wastewater distribution regulations, water system equipment, water system operations, piping, tanks, pump stations, construction practices, engineering concepts, company policies and procedures and effective safety practices.

Experience:

5 years of overall work experience with at least 3 years in accounting, payroll, or administrative support work.

Work Environment:

Office environment

Travel Requirements:

Local and occasional regional travel may be needed.

Key Interfaces/ Relationships:

Management level staff Operations staff

AW departments, i.e. finance, legal, customer

Contractors, vendors and/or developers Consultants

Other:

The percentage of time spent performing the key accountabilities of the job may vary based on the manager, departmental or functional unit needs.

This role may include assisting with field work including pick-up and delivery tasks, assessing repairs made by contractors, completing related paperwork and/or handling Public Utility inquiries

This role may assist with fleet management, vehicle repairs and facility maintenance.