Questions about working as a Programmer Analyst at LADWP?

The test they give is pretty old school, mostly multiple choice on logic puzzles, basic math, and reading comprehension. There's a section on data flow diagrams and entity relationship models that trips people up if they haven't seen them since college. I'd grab a used copy of "Systems Analysis and Design" by Kendall and Kendall from the library and skim chapters on DFDs and ERDs.

One thing nobody told me is that LADWP runs their own pay scale separate from the city's general civil service. The step increases are automatic for the first few years as long as you don't screw up, so you'll hit the top of the range in about 4 years if you start as a PA II. But the real money comes from the 9/80 schedule and the fact that you can bank overtime at time-and-a-half pretty regularly during summer outage season.

The interview panel will ask you about the Water and Power system itself, so it helps to know the basics of how they deliver both. I mentioned the Owens Valley aqueduct in my interview and the panel visibly relaxed, like they finally found someone who did their homework. It's a weird culture where being genuinely interested in municipal infrastructure counts for a lot.

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I went through the LADWP hiring process a few years back for a different IT role, so I can speak to the general vibe. The multiple choice test is mostly logic, basic database concepts, and some systems analysis scenarios -- nothing too deep into a specific language. I'd brush up on SQL joins and normal forms, and maybe review the SDLC phases, since they lean heavy on that.

The pay progression is slow but steady. Starting as a Programmer Analyst II, you'll probably land around $80k-$90k based on the current salary schedules, and it takes about 3-5 years of step increases to hit $115k depending on where you slot in. The tradeoff is you'll never stress about RIFs or performance review surprises.

For the interview, expect a panel of three to four people who will ask scenario-based questions like "tell us about a time you had to explain a technical issue to a non-technical stakeholder." They care more about process and communication than cutting-edge tech. If you're coming from a F500 environment, you'll find the pace noticeably slower, which is exactly what you want.

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You'll probably take a pay cut initially, that's just reality with public sector. The step system is rigid, so even with your experience they can't start you above a certain step unless you negotiate a higher classification level. I know someone who came in as a PA III after five years at a startup and still started around $95k.

For the test, focus less on coding and more on reading technical documentation and interpreting system specs. They want to know you can follow their existing processes, not reinvent anything. There's a sample test floating around on the Union's website for the PAC (Professional Administrative Classification) that covers similar ground.

The actual work is a lot of maintaining legacy systems written in COBOL and PowerBuilder that interface with Oracle databases. If you're coming from modern web development, you'll probably find the tech stack frustrating at first. But the trade-off is real job security and a pension that most private sector jobs can't touch.

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honestly the SGV has a ton of licensed cart operators who mostly do private stuff now. look up "hot dog cart catering San Gabriel Valley" on Yelp and you'll get a handful that are fully permitted, which matters if your venue needs a health permit on file. expect around $400 to $700 for a few hours plus a per person minimum, usually 50 or so. the ones based in Alhambra and Rosemead tend to be cheaper than Pasadena because they're not paying that rent.

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fwiw the county health dept keeps a public list of permitted mobile food operators, its searchable by city on the LA County Public Health site. filter for "pushcart" or "MFF" and you'll get vendors cleared for SGV zip codes, which saves you the headache of a venue asking for paperwork later. also worth checking with the Old Town Monrovia or Alhambra farmers market folks, the carts there are usually booked solid but they know who's free and they'll pass along names. just dont wait till the last week, good ones book out 2 to 3 weeks in teh summer.

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You could try hitting up the folks who set up outside Home Depot or the DMV in El Monte on weekends, a lot of those carts are owner operated and they'll do private gigs if you ask. Just walk up and grab a card, they usually have one taped to the cart.

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