The Office of the People's Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government, and by law, is the advocate for consumers of utility services in the District. The Office is a statutory party in all utility-related proceedings before the Public Service Commission. The Office represents the interests of District ratepayers before federal regulatory agencies and is authorized to investigate the operation and valuation of utility companies independent of any pending proceeding.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is the means by which the People's Counsel fulfills internal needs of the Agency in reaching its objectives and goals relative to the Agency’s mission and, supports the Office's statutory authority to represent clients and consumers in issues and problems through the delivery of operational services within OPC.

This position serves as the Chief Operations Officer, for the Office of the People’s Counsel’s. The incumbent has delegated line authority and responsibility for the administrative, financial, logistical, and information technology activities of OPC. The incumbent reports to the OPC Chief of Staff, who serves as the alter ego to the People’s Counsel. The incumbent is responsible for directing, planning, organizing, reviewing, evaluating and improving delivery of business operation services across OPC. Serves as the OPC’s advisor on administrative and operational matters, including the update and maintenance of Administrative Orders. Makes recommendations to the Chief of Staff regarding information technology, finance and budget, contract and procurement, administrative policies and procedures to include, the day-to-day Office-wide operational matters and, especially, the following business operations aligned within the COO:

Budget and Finance: Manages OPC’s financial operations. Provides technical guidance in the development of the fiscal year budget and multi-year forecasts for the Office. Coordinates the development of the division aspects of the multi-year plan and the development and compilation of relevant data, written justification and support. Assures the necessary resources are allocated to achieve the goals and objectives of the programs within OPC. Serves as liaison to and coordinator with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s staff assigned to OPC (OCFO-OPC). In conjunction with the CFO-OPC manages appropriated budget. Develops an on-going relationship with OPC’s Financial Officer to assure that OPC program needs are supported by the financial management operations. The incumbent manages the development and execution of the annual budget; monitors OPC spending, program and activity levels, the development of financial management strategies, monitoring of special programs and funding.

Information Technology: Ensures appropriate IT support is provided to all Office staff and facilitates efficient performance of technology-related systems. Ensures OPC has state of the art IT capabilities and programs to enhance automation of services performed in OPC and web services required by customers of OPC. Continual advancement of IT services to enable OPC to have 21st Century business applications and solutions. Develops and implements a comprehensive strategy for the modernization of the technology infrastructure for the entire OPC system. Monitors technology spending and develops a strategy to continue the modernization efforts through the budget formulation process.

Contract and Procurement. The Chief Operations Officer serves as the contracting authority for OPC. Drafts contracts in consultation with managers and supervisors for review and approval by the Chief of Staff on behalf of the People’s Counsel. Facilitates preparations and maintenance of contractor evaluations and consultant files. Resolves contract disputes. Implements and maintains applicable policies and procedures regarding minority business participation. Establishes goals and objectives for a full-service procurement and contracting function and assures that all the provisions of the delegated procurement authority are implemented in accordance with the DC City Council approved regulations and the PC.

• The incumbent is responsible for providing direction and supervision over the staff members performing the following OPC business operations support services: administrative, financial, logistical, and information technology. Ensures that OPC develops and maintains an efficient system of internal and external program integrity. Coordinates financial and information technology integrity for all OPC programs. Commits OPC to corrective measures; initiates and ensures corrective actions are implemented within OPC as appropriate.
• Responsible for the preparation of budget estimates and exercise of budgetary control for the OPC. Within the framework of budgetary restrictions, authorizes and is responsible for distribution of personnel and allotted funds to provide the essential services in an efficient and economical manner and with maximum effectiveness and manpower utilization. Assists with the preparation of budget estimates for contractor and consultant support and equipment.
• Ensures efficient and effective delivery of business services to all OPC leadership, divisions and other functional areas in a timely, objective manner with respect to quality of service, accuracy, customer experience and satisfaction. Analyzes and evaluates results and accomplishments in each program to identify problem areas, directs remedial measures, and follows up to assure maximum improvement and service at optimum cost. Reviews and edits OPC publications, correspondence, SOP’s, pleadings, and other required materials.
• The incumbent establishes administrative procedures and policies and reviews proposed legislation and other requirements for the purpose of evaluating immediate and long-term impact on fiscal, manpower, and economic resources. Provides the Chief of Staff with recommendations. Attends Congressional hearings on proposed legislation and recommends specific changes in OPC policies and procedures to make OPC’s programs more goal-oriented, equitable, and efficient.
• The incumbent is responsible for providing technical and professional direction to assigned personnel performing business operations support to OPC. The means for providing such direction include policy statements, financial and logistical program guides, IT manuals, general operating instruction, and program evaluations. Manages staff within the Division in the daily operations for budget and finance, contract and procurement, information technology, and the business functions provided by the Administrative Officer. Oversees other OPC staff when assisting in Chief Operations Officer matters and problems. Typical daily assignments require identifying requirements, developing program components, coordinating, and incorporating program goals and mission priorities, developing study projects and measurement systems within the OPC and other DC government agencies. Resolution of issues, findings and recommendations made by the incumbent are considered at all levels of the OPC and are incorporated in after action reports, events, and the conduct of complex studies and significant projects.
• Develops or directs the development of plans to meet objectives and monitors progress toward achievement of objectives. Takes steps to overcome any obstacles that may impede achievement of OPC’s program objectives. Serves as an OPC resource in the planning and decision-making process by preparing analyses and comparisons of alternative methods of achieving OPC objectives. Oversees studies, surveys and research concerning broad areas of consideration having a major impact on OPC District of Columbia-wide.
• Provides guidance in the implementation of financial, IT, and logistical projects, outlining technical and programmatic objectives and their relationships with internal and external stakeholders on OPC's programs. Ensures proper and adequate integration of administrative, contractual, consultant, fiscal, and logistical support to address OPC’s issues. Directs, monitors, and controls program progress, accomplishments, and effectiveness through review of program documents; implementation of policy guidance and decisions; analysis of current and projected program requirements; attendance at meetings, public forums, and conferences with key officials and operating staff; analysis of policies and directives from OPC leadership; and discussions with the Chief of Staff. Anticipates requirements for operating changes and shifts in functional programs based on changes in technology, mission requirements, and/or trends identified through the review and analysis of program accomplishments.

Resource Management

• Participates in the assessment and allocation of resources necessary to implement and execute OPC’s mission. Conducts continuing review, oversight and evaluation of the administrative, financial, logistical and information technology operations, by monitoring activity on performance measures to assure that they adhere to OPC’s performance goals and achieve efficiency, balance and coordination among all OPC programs and services. Makes program assignments and provides guidance to assigned staff. Reviews and makes recommendations on actions involving budgetary requirements and the allocation of resources among projects and/or organizations. Devises effective and economical organizational structures, workload assessments, and functional breakdowns. Assures effective workload distribution and full and proper use of personnel consistent with OPC’s objectives. Analyzes use of resources in relation to requirements and identifies and eliminates marginal activities. Conducts periodic reviews and staff presentations to compare progress with objectives and determine performance efficiency and economy. Directs corrective action to resolve inadequacies highlighted during these reviews.
• In terms of OPC policy, supports the recruitment, development, and retention of a high-quality workforce. Selects candidates for business operation positions, evaluates efficiency, corrects deficiencies, and signs performance appraisals. Ensures that career development, training, and technical competence are maintained, promising new talent is recruited, and selection and promotion decisions are equitably made. Develops and establishes an efficient and economical position structure which will best serve OPC’s mission needs by providing the optimum balance between such elements as economy, efficiency, skills utilization, employee motivation, and employee development. Establishes and maintains effective two-way communication and a positive work environment. Selects and applies pertinent management techniques, i.e. participative problem solving, management by objectives, and other useful techniques to communicate organizational needs and goals. Initiates and/or approves disciplinary and performance-based actions involving business operation employees.
• Serves as advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff and OPC leadership, on questions concerning technical aspects of business operations: financial, logistical, and information technology. Maintains an overview of OPC programs to assure orderly management of approved programs and required business operations support services. Exercises managerial authority in (a) establishing business operation goals and objectives; (b) making organizational and personnel changes to accommodate new changes or modify existing ones; (c) revising or eliminating recommendations and conclusions contained in planning and programming documents; and (d) approving and/or modifying OPC plans, programs, and operating budgets. Develops plans and policies to implement immediate and long-term goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to MS-15 grade level of the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent that demonstrates knowledge, ability, and a proven track record. The position requires the incumbent to have a degree in accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law:

• Clear understanding of the importance of an OPC’s mission, vision, function and strategic direction. Skill in interpreting applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines in selected subject area. Excellent managerial and supervisory skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Superior analytic, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Skill in making persuasive presentations to Office leadership, internal strategic business partners in order to maintain administrative continuity and governance. Ability to work with other staff in a team-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of the mission goals, objectives, and operating policies and procedures of the Office of the People’s Counsel to effectively coordinate outreach and education programs to the DC utility consumers.
• Knowledge of consumer protection policies, procedures and guidelines to appropriately and effectively interact with and relate to consumers.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

n/a

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS).

MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

The incumbents of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations, Suitability.

This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL

None

EEO STATEMENT

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.