USM-IV CSS 06/13/19

Question 1

Tell us how your background and experience best qualifies you for the USM position.

Answer 1

• I currently manage both the WCG and the WCRU with 2 Supervisors and 1 Management Analyst
  
  • I am responsible for the process maps for each program we have along with Customer Journey maps
  • I report out and am responsible for customer activicty for data collecting and Customer Connect Activity and Process plans
• Previous to my current job, I managed the Field Services group, which had 4 CF Supers, 3 Senior CFR, & 65 Commercial Field Reps.
  
  • In my time as the USM for Field Services I have: moved forward on disciplining an employee. I have interviewed 18 potential CFRs,
  • Oversaw data management program for employee performance and fleet management software for Field Operations.
  • I have attended all FS safety meetings and spoken at each one, worked with the Union to extend and relocate Article 33 employees.
• Before field services I managed all of the WC programs as Supervisor & services budget of $40M/Yr. for 8 years. During that time the pop of L.A. had increased by 200,000 people but L.A.’s overall usage went down by 19%. My group was responsible for the installation of 1.5M WC devices and projects for CIIMF SF customers which decreased L.A. water usage by over 50 bpy allowing us to meet all of the goals set forth by the Mayor & Governor
  
  • As water conservation supervisor for 8 years
    
    • Directed all reporting of water conservation goals, savings numbers, and customer participation
    • I supervised a group of 8 people
    • Dozens of presentations to (Board)
    • extensive Budget experienc w/WC for the past 8 years
• As a Lead USS I was the Department’s Webmaster Designed web pages and uploaded web content on a daily basis
• Lead
  
  • Contract management – $18M/yr.
• As new USS I provided network administration and computer I.T. help for 35 employees
• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences
  
  • Supervisorial certification (12 classes) - Silver, Bronze, Gold

Question 2

EEO Question - how do you ensure that your staff understands EEO?

Answer 2

Ensure all EEO Policies are adhered to; supers career development. Model proper behavior.

• Supervisors unders EEO policies, procedures, resources
• Emploee decisions based solely on job-related skills
• Make sure no Discrimination takes place, no hazing, bullying, sexual harassment, horseplay, retaliation.
• Disseminate EEO information
• As an employee you must refrain from acts that may be reasonably interpreted as violations of this policy.

1. Zero Tolerance Policy
2. EEO violations include sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of race, sexual origin, ancestry, religion, gender, age marital status, medical condition or disability limitations
3. You should respect individual differences among LADWP employees and LADWP customers.
4. You have a responsibility to notify your immediate supervisor if you are a victim, or witness to any behavior deemed to be unacceptable in the workplace environment.
5. Diversity group demonst properly-applied EEO principals. Wk well together, respect 1 another, apprec different sk sets diverse brings.

Question 3

Name the following projects you worked on:

1. Required you to understand the DWP inner workings
2. Demonstrated your ability to effectively manage a major project and direct a team while addressing opposing views from internal and/or external sources.
3. Most challenging

Answer 3

1. MFTAP
2. CITR
3. TAP by 5Xs in 3 FYs

Question 4

DWP Organization Question – tell us about a project you worked on that required you to understand the DWP inner workings.

Answer 4

made major changes to in-house program with management and LADWP Board approval, in 3.5 months. 2 1/2 years later we rebated more than 24,000 Premium High efficiency toilets for a savings of close to 300 million gpy.

• Large institutional customer
• vendor install 4,000 high efficiency toilets and get paid directly.
• not allow
• immediate response.
• existing in-house program
• Board-approved
  
  • Cost effectiveness barrier
    
    • 0.8 gpf /1.28
  • Bureacratic barrier
    
    • WC Board Hierarchy
  • Budget barrier:
    
    • budget underachieving move
  • Leads, boss write resolution
  • Board’s calendar approved.
  • 4,415 Premium High Efficiency toilets, then installed 20,000

Question 5

What is the most challenging project you have worked on?

Answer 5

> 5X’s from average of 6 projects to 30. met goal increased projects to 53 in 3 years and savings went from 30 MGY to over 100 MGY.

• Found more training
  
  • First, I developed immediately implemented
  • Second staff and PA start a TAP marketing program.
  • Third, I directed staff aggressively pursue projects personal outreach
• Premier Account Execs offer free audits
• Vendors great resource
• my staff greater responsibility increased job satisfaction.

Question 6

Describe ur most relevant work experience best demonstrating ur ability to effectively manage major project & direct team while addressing opposing views from internal and/or external sources.

Answer 6

developed new com landscape incentive program while addressing opposing views from internal and external sources 3 ½ months.

• lower Commercial rebates,
• Strong opposition vendors, commercial customers
• more water is used on com turf than res. justify new program.
• staff “Commercial/Industrial Drought Resistant Landscape Incentive Program” Board-approved fully implemented 3 ½ mnths
• opposing forces seemed satisfied quickly took advantage
• 1st FY of the program over 1.2M sq ft of turf replacement

Question 7

Name the successful work habits for a manager.

Answer 7

1. Listen management, employees, and customers
2. role model
3. Blow Team’s Horn, Own
4. Focus Team’s Strengths
5. passion for self-improvement.
6. Lead
7. Understand budgeting
8. creative program designer
9. Delegate work Supervisors
10. Appraise Supervisor performance

Question 8

As a manager how would you handle a Sexual Harassment complaint?

Answer 8

• prompt action
• neutral fact finder
• Check personnel
• Document
• good faith determination
• not withhold information/make false representations

Department’s Policy

• Prohibit all forms harassment
• Protect retaliation
• Explain avenues of complaints
• Train law
• confidentiality
• prompt appropriate corrective action

Deliberate or unwanted sexual advances, request sexual favorsverbal or physical contactsexual nature when made :

• Condition employment or employment decisions
• Interferes work performance

Question 9

What is the Department’s ADA Policy?

Answer 9

1. Examine existing work situation
2. Done this several times

Employee wanted to come back disability: I, along with admin determined he/she could meet the essential functions of his classification: Had reasonable accomodation mtg. - Interactive process. Employee allowed to come back because of reasonable accomodation.

1. restrictions interfere task
2. How soon task completed
3. budget available resources
4. specific or measurable goal
5. skills knowledge required
6. use opportunity develop employee
7. specific responsibilitiestransferred
8. successful ongoing communication
9. Feedback sessions

Question 10

What are the seven tests of Just Cause for discipline?

Answer 10

1. Did immed super give notice
2. Is it reasonable? unacceptable behavior related to orderly, efficient run business; employer reasonalbly expect this performance
3. was investigation done?
4. Fair investigation
5. proof: substantial evidence gathered
6. equal treatment with other employees
7. penalty equal to the unsatisfactory behavior?

Question 11

What is the M-M-B act and what does it do?

What ocurred to strenthen Union/Management bond?

Answer 11

The Meyers-Milas-Brown Act - Granted municipal employees right to have Labor Unions and bargain contracts.

1995 LADWP had FSP (Focused Separation Program) to downsize. As result stronger relationship with IBEW ensued. Formed JLMC Joint Labor Management Committees-identify common problems and uses joint efforts to resolve them.

Question 12

How would you implement constructive discipline?

Answer 12

1. Oral counseling-not severe-private-immmediate responsibility for counseling,warning,disipl is super
   
   • 2-Min challenge
     
     • State (objective terms), Wait, Remind, Specific plan from employee, Agree together -future difficulties alert
2. Oral warning - if could lead to disipline ask employee for representation
   • confidential memorandum higher management
   • primary goal is to correct the behavior
   • meet privately-explain behavior problem - future consequences
   • document, document, document
   • expected future consequences
   • Recognition discipline corrected. Recognize regular employees
3. Considering disipline
   
   • get employee’s facts
   • conduct interaction interviews
   • Department policies general standards of conduct.
   • Uniformity disiplinary actions.
   • Guide disciplinary Standards
   • appropriate MOU
4. Skelly (predisicipline) discharge, disiplin

• Review written documentation-
• Interview other employees, citizens, or customers
• review performance standards
• Discuss employee in private w or w/o representation
• Management Notification: confidential memorandum higher management ,
• private; supervisor documents
• NTCD is written notice to employee on Dept letterhead
• show documents on which disciplinary action is based
• Serve Employee orally or writing
• management signs NTCD to show approval
• (ERO) makes decision continue processing for dis or sus

Question 13

What must good Managers be able to do well?

Answer 13

1. decisions - good

2. communicate well one or with groups

3. motivate train Supervisors, non-Supervisors

4. Delegate work

5. appraise Supervisor performance

6. work with specialists

7. Understand budgeting

9. creative program designer

Question 14

As a manager how do I make effective decisions?

Answer 14

1.Arrive together at decision

2.Previous to decision making:

• Define criteria for success all parties
• Develop a concrete proposal
• involve divergent view people
• Combine the best elements of each to come up with a true decision

Question 15

How does a manager delegate responsibility to others?

Answer 15

1. Effective managers practice ownership
2. Focus on results, not methods.
3. These are the results we want, how are we going to get there?
4. Delegate tasks which will build on employee’s current capabilities.
5. Major tasks, team members write understanding of the task and results.
6. Must follow-up with team members.

Question 16

How does a manager hold Supervisors accountable?

Answer 16

1.Hold himself or herself accountable.

2.Agree on clear results.

3.Hold whole team Supervisors or single Supervisor responsible

4.willing to go for a solution that is better than what either has come up with.

5.Make a win-win agreement.

Question 17

What safety rules and regulations are documented in what manuals?

Answer 17

IIPP- Illnes and Injury Prevention program: safety policy statement, work place hazards, Safety meetings, accidents and reporting

Safety Rules - Training, PPE, Automotive, handling gases, cranes, storage materials, ladders, scaffolds, plumbing etc., using tools properly, trenching, escavating

“Rules and Regulations Governing the Care and Operation of the Automotive Equipment” booklet

Question 18

The CSD is dedicated to providing a safe work environment and safety equipment. What should you do, as manager to promote that?

Answer 18

• Observe and comply with the safety rules every duty assigned with due regard for my own safety, my fellow employees, and the public
• Follow safe procedures
• Report unsafe conditions, practices, equipment, or tools to supervision
• Report all accidents to supervision
• Report all injuries, however minor
• Use only safe tools and equipment
• Maintain a clean and neat work area
• Know the location of all emergency information and equipment I am trained to use

Question 19

As a Commercial Field Representative, what are some of the things you would do to ensure you do not get injured?

Answer 19

• Follow all LADWP safety rules and regulations.
• Keep your vehicle clean and in good condition.
• Follow/observe LADWP driving rules.
• Be proactive in improving safety. Report irregularities and unsafe conditions immediately.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Report near misses.
• Report and document accidents.
• Use all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Attend and participate in Unit Safety Meetings and tailgate meetings.
• Communicate the importance of safety to your fellow employees.

Question 20

As A Commercial Field Representative, what are your responsibilities regarding safety?

Answer 20

• Different types of dangerous situations, including problems with dogs, irate customers, working with energized electric services, driving in adverse weather conditions, working in adverse weather conditions.
• Observing and complying with the safety rules of the Department of Water and Power
• Performing their job according to safe procedures and when in doubt, consulting with supervisory personnel.
• Immediately reporting unsafe conditions, practices, equipment or tools to supervisory personnel.
• Reporting all accidents to the supervisor.
• Reporting all injuries, however minor, to the supervisor.

When working on energized circuits, always using all required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

Question 21

What is safety manager responstible for?

Answer 21

1. Identifying occupational health and safety hazards in the work environment & developing programs, policies, or procedures to resolve such problems.
2. Developing & monitoring safety recognition/awareness programs for the various work groups within the division
3. Attending safety meetings.
4. Distributing safety posters, bulletins, & safety-related information.
5. Maintaining accident/injury records for statistical purposes.
6. Conducting safety training classes.
7. Assisting in the investigation of Division accidents.

Question 22

Supervisors are responsible for the work their employees perform and ensuring adequate training as follows:

Answer 22

1. Setting a good example for others to follow.
2. Enforcing safety practices
3. Providing and ensuring the proper use of PPE
4. Conducting wkly inspections & audits
5. Ensure employees get necessary safety training.
6. Instructing employees of their responsibility to comply with applicable occupational safety and health standards.
7. Planning, organizing, & leading safety meetings
8. Reporting and investigating accidents in accordance with applicable regulations and Department procedures.
9. Documenting accidents, minutes of tailgate meetings, etc.,
10. Correct unsafe conditions/practices, w/training, discipline,
11. Encouraging employees to forward safety suggestions

Question 23

Senior-Level Employee or highest ranking employee at the site, shall take the following action immediately following a serious accident/incident.

Answer 23

1. Make the scene safe and secure
2. Call for medical assistance if needed
3. Administer first aid and/or CPR. Check for medical alert tags.
4. Call on-duty Senior Load Dispatcher at the ECC at (818) 771-6631 in absence of an approved local procedure
5. Shut down the work activity at the site
6. Preserve the accident scene by protecting and securing all equipment,
7. Call in others to perform the work if operations need to be restored
8. Transport those personnel who were at accident location
9. Inform involved personnel EAP counselors be arriving offer assistance.
10. Order medical evaluation for drugs and/or alcohol when:

• injuries involved
• damage to DWP or private property which my result in a claim
• Supervisor determines need based pre-accident employee

Question 24

Types of personal protection

Answer 24

1. Head Protection - contains shell and suspension -replace every 5 yrs
2. Sight protection-safety glasses and/or face shield
3. Hearing protection
4. Foot protection
5. Satey apparel-Fire retardent apparel or Arc resistant

Question 25

What is the new USM IV responsible for?

Answer 25

Safety, Wellness, and training (swt)

Question 26

Tell me about safety in the office.

Answer 26

1. All work areas shall be clean, and well illuminated
2. Chairs, wastebaskets, cords, or other articles shall not be left where they create tripping hazards
3. Desk and file drawers or cabinet doors shall not be left open
4. Approved ladders shall be provided and used
5. Materials, supplies, or equipment shall not be stored on top of cabinets
6. Electrical outlets shall not be overloaded
7. Approved extension cords & portable electrical appliances shall be used
8. Exits shall be properly marked

Question 27

What are the criteria for proper ergonomics?

Answer 27

1. Chairs, keyboards, & desks shall be properly adjusted to the worker
2. The thighs should be horizontal to floor.
3. The feet should be flat on the floor.
4. Upper arms should be vertical, lower arms should be horizontal, and elbows at 90 degrees when keying or writing.
5. Computer monitor positioned to avoid glare and reflection.
6. The top of the monitor screen should be at eye level
7. The monitor screen should be between 18” and 30” from the eyes
8. The document holder should be properly adjusted

Question 28

What is the employee compliance system for safety?

Answer 28

1. Recognition or awards presented to qualifying employees
2. Adminis Manual, section 50-04, outlines displine for safety violations
3. Failure to promptly report

Question 29

Tell me about IIPP record keeping?

Answer 29

1. Documentation of all safety meetings
2. Safety Inspection observations documented on the appropriate forms.
3. Medical orders issued to employees
4. Documentation of first aid incidents
5. Requests for Industrial Hygiene assistance,
6. Accident documentation
   
   1. CAL/OSHA Form 5020
   2. Accident Analysis
   3. Statement of Accident
7. Contractors/Consultants – record keeping shall be in accordance with CAL/OSHA requirements
8. Records of training, safety infractions, and safety recognition awards

Question 30

Anything you would like to add?

Answer 30

I have excellent interpersonal skills and technical knowlege after working in the City for the past 27 years and I think I have a good understanding of the needs of customers.

Thank you for your time today.