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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Seconding the Academy Museum free day tip, that's a solid addition. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Griffith Observatory can get completely overrun on summer weekends, to the point where they close the road to cars. If you're not up for the hike from the bottom, take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, it's 50 cents and drops you right at the door. Also, for a quick beach lunch that's not a tourist trap, the fish tacos at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach are worth the short walk from the pier.

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one thing the guide doesnt mention is that the getty center has a free shuttle from the parking structure up to the museum, so you dont have to hike the hill unless you want to. also if you go on a weekday morning the gardens are basically empty and the light is perfect for photos. for a quick bite after, the cafeteria is overpriced but the hot dog stand outside the tram stop has decent cheap snacks

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honestly the guide is pretty solid but i think theyre sleeping on the food scene in the san gabriel valley. if you have a car and an afternoon, drive out to monterey park for some of the best chinese food in the country. the soup dumplings at din tai fung are famous for a reason but the real hidden gem is the xiao long bao at mei long village just down the street. way less of a wait and just as good. also for a chill evening that's not downtown, the rooftop at the standard on sunset has a great vibe and you can see

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