People Behind the Pipes

Describe your job.
I'm one of the District's Information Technology (IT) Analysts, and my main area of responsibility is application implementation and process development for enterprise software. The District uses enterprise software for tasks like processing water bill payments, storing digital copies of historic records, and tracking infrastructure maintenance. I assist with building and exploring ways that enterprise software can make our agency more efficient.

	Information Technology Analyst II Jonathan Penaflor works on a computer in a DSRSD conference room.

What do you like best about your job?
To be honest, what I enjoy most about my job is helping people. That has evolved from being an IT Technician helping people with their computers to presently building and upgrading computing systems that staff rely on for their work. I have enjoyed working at the District because all of my coworkers are great to work with.

How did you get into this field?
From the days of Commodore 64 and Space Invaders until now, I have always been fascinated by computers. Out of high school I had a data entry job with Prudential Healthcare and I would help people with their computer problems. They gave me a job helping as an IT Technician and eventually as their System Administrator before I came to Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) as an IT Technician in 1998. Because the IT shop at the District was very small, I was able to learn a wide array of IT services—one great aspect of working at a smaller agency. I earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of San Francisco, which the District helped pay for.

What is the biggest challenge of your position?
My biggest challenge is deciphering what people need and turning that into something I can provide to them through technology. As an IT Analyst, my role has evolved into helping staff not just use software to its fullest potential, but also to envision new ways to solve old and emerging challenges the District faces. We have GREAT people doing a lot of great work here at the District, and often times they are too engrossed in doing the work that they can’t see how to do it better. It takes an analytical approach to find real value in any changes they make in how they use our enterprise applications.

What is something unique about yourself?
After all these years I still enjoy playing video games. My taste in video games, however, has become much narrower and more specific. In the same way that my tastes in books have become more discerning, the video games I play must be really well thought out for me to enjoy them. I appreciate a cohesive narrative and a great story. Playing video games allows me to take my mind off everything else and focus on a hobby for a while.

What are your favorite foods?
I love pasta. In Rome, I had bucatini carbonara, and I tried to have it every day I was there. For desserts, I love anything creative, but I have to say I love s'mores. I have a recipe book of s'mores at home that I love just flipping through with my daughter, Danielle. Toasted marshmallows are the height of dessert as far as I'm concerned. Danielle and I roast marshmallows over the stove whenever we want a special dessert after dinner.